Proposed Oxford Power Plant Close to Approval

The proposed power plant in Oxford is close to approval, the Connecticut Post reports.

According to the paper, a non-binding straw poll of Connecticut Siting Council members taken Thursday was 5-2 in favor of approval.

The council is scheduled to meet May 14 and May 28, the paper reports. A decision could come either day.

In order for the plant to be approved, a majority vote is needed.

Read more at the Connecticut Post.

Background on the Oxford Power Plant

CPV Towantic Energy Center officials say the if the plant is constructed it will generate more than $7.9 billion in new personal income for Connecticut residents over the next 25 years.

Over the next 25 years, the state of Connecticut will receive $250 million in tax revenue from this project, a consultant has states.

Despite the enormous tax revenue the power plant is forecast to generate and the thousands of new construction jobs, a group of residents from Oxford, Southbury, Middlebury, and Naugatuck have opposed the project citing environmental concerns, a decrease in property values and health concerns.

The Federal Aviation Administration has also raised concerns about the project because of its close proximity to the Oxford Airport.

The project was approved on a permit 15-years ago that allows it to be built as a 512-megawatt plant in an industrial zone on Woodruff Hill Road in Oxford. Massachusetts-based Competitive Power Venture is seeking to modify the application to accommodate a larger facility at the same location. The Connecticut Siting council agreed to consider an application for a larger power plant at the proposed site in December.

CPV Project Developer Andy Bazinet has said people need to remember that this project was already approved in 1999, and all his company has done is “tweak it and we’ve done a lot to improve it.”

“It’s a much more efficient project now,” Bazinet has said.

CPV officials urged anyone with to contact them through their website www.cpvtowantic.com

Image via Stop Towantic Power