State flips initial switch on power plant

The Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control gave preliminary approval on Fairfield-based Waterside Power L.L.C.”™s application for a small power generator in Stamford, as well as two more plants that could add sufficient energy for the equivalent of at least 600,000 homes.

If DPUC issues a final approval, Chairman Donald Downes said Connecticut could save up to $1.6 billion long term from the projects ”“ from lower electricity prices and federal levies Connecticut pays for not modernizing its infrastructure, to savings from any power outages the systems help stem.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal countered the projects fail to guarantee savings and reiterated his request that the state authorize creation of a Connecticut Electric Authority to take over the process of proposing power plants.

The largest project to win DPUC approval is Kleen Energy”™s 620-MW plant for Middletown, which would be fueled with natural gas.

Waterside Power”™s oil-fired plant in Stamford would be reserved for heat waves and other situations that strain the grid, feeding up to 66 megawatts of power.

DPUC also approved a 96-MW plant for Waterbury.