DERBY — The city has approved leasing city-owned land near the former dog pound for a proposed privately-operated fuel-cell power plant.
If the 2.8 megawatt facility is approved by the the state’s siting council, which will review it for environmental impact, the city stands to gain $50,000 a year in revenue for 20 years, the lease agreement states.
The 6-2 vote by the Board of Aldermen to allow FuelCell Energy Inc. to lease property on Coon Hollow Road had its critics — including the owner of a solar development company who said he wasn’t allowed to bid on the lease and had concerns about the safety of the proposed facility.
Tom Melone, president of Windham Solar LLC and Allco Renewable Energy Ltd, submitted a petition to the city stating the area around the proposed fuel cell plant had a high rate of asthma and that the science behind fuel cell energy could prove a hazard to students who attend school nearby.
“Besides carbon dioxide, they emit benzene and other emissions. There is no independent reports as to what these fuel cells produce,” Melone said.
But Derek Phelps, a director of marketing and project development for FuelCell Energy Inc., said there was no proof to Melone’s assertions.
“Fuel cells, including fuel cells that operate on natural gas, are recognized as class one, which is the top tier renewable resource of renewable resources in the state of Connecticut, right alongside solar, and right alongside wind-based energy,” Phelps said.
The proposed facility would produce energy that would be sent into the electric grid.
First Ward Alderman Sarah Widomski asked if there were any byproducts related to fuel cells. Phelps said there would be a small amount of carbon dioxide emissions, but the technology doesn’t contribute to pollution. The company already has multiple clean fuel cells across the state, he said.
Phelps said that the fuel cell facility would help revitalize the area.
“The area will be made cleaner, and in my opinion, frankly, more attractive than it is now,” he said.
"fuel" - Google News
May 23, 2021 at 05:05PM
https://ift.tt/3ufijDB
Derby Aldermen approve leasing city-owned land for proposed fuel cell facility - CTPost
"fuel" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2WjmVcZ
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Derby Aldermen approve leasing city-owned land for proposed fuel cell facility - CTPost"
Post a Comment