The city of Bridgeport recently came out strongly for solar power, with the mayor”™s office citing a “groundswell of support for solar and fuel cell energy projects” at a former landfill site. The so-called Green Energy Park includes 9,000 solar panels and a 2.8-megawatt fuel cell atop the old city landfill. It has City Council and business community backing.
Paul Timpanelli, president and CEO of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, said the organization is a “strong, solid and avid” supporter of the solar project. The project has also received approval from the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority as well as Bridgeport”™s Parks Commission.
“This project simply makes sense ”” for our future, for our environment, for our economy, for our taxpayers, and most importantly, for our children,” Mayor Bill Finch said.
The state”™s Public Utility Siting Council recently toured the site. “Once the project receives Siting Council approval, it”™s a go,” the mayor”™s office said in a statement.
Green Energy Park will create up to 92 jobs, the statement said. And: “It will bring in $7 million in tax revenue to the city during its 20-year lease. It will produce enough clean energy to power 5,000 homes. And, because it produces virtually pollutant-free energy, it will help kids breathe cleaner air. This is particularly important in Bridgeport, where kids suffer from asthma and breathing ailment rates that are three times the state average.”
