Southbury-Based Environmental Group Joins Opposition to Proposed Oxford Power Plant

Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition is opposing the proposed power plant proposed to be built on Woodruff Hill Road in Oxford, Jordan Otero reports for the Republican-American.

The Southbury-based environmental organization is concerned about the effects the 805-megawatt CPV Towantic Energy Center would have on the Pomperaug River and is the latest group to have joined in the fight against the proposed power plant.

According to the paper, in a testimony the group stated that there has been insufficient work completed by Towantic to make sure the resources in the Pomperaug river are not adversely affected adding that they cannot support the project. The group respectfully requested that the Siting Council to defer any approval till a solution is reached that limits demand from the aquifer.

The project was approved on a permit 15-years ago that allows for it to be built as a 512-megawatt plan in an industrial zone on Woodruff Hill Road. 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.

Opposition to the plant has been widespread, residents from Oxford, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls and Middlebury have shown their objection to the plant. The Federal Aviation Association have also opposed the plant saying it would have, “adverse physical or electromagnetic interference on navigable airspace or air navigation facilities”.

The Connecticut Siting Council is going to conduct a site visit on Jan. 15. Officials will tour the site at 1:30 p.m., which will be followed by a meeting at 3 p.m. at the Oxford High School. A meeting for public input will be held at 6 p.m.

The group Stop Towantic Power has created an event to oppose the power plant on that date.

The Siting Council must decide by May on whether to approve CPV Towantic Energy Center’s proposal.

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