But opponents of the plant say that renewable sources can fill in any need for new power in New England. The auction results show that there is a surplus of potential power supplies that can step in, according to Jerry Elmer, staff attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation. In the ISO-NE zone that includes Rhode Island the surplus is nearly twice the capacity of the Burrillville proposal.
“The ISO is telling us clearly that the plant is just not needed,” Elmer said.
The project application was submitted to the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board more than a year ago. A decision was expected by now, but the process was delayed as Invenergy tied up a necessary supply of water. But there are still unanswered questions about the project and both the CLF and the Town of Burrillville have filed motions to have the application dismissed.
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