EFSB Ruling

Note: The following clarifies an earlier post, making it clear that it is the Invenergy motion that called the municipal resolutions "irrelevant" and “a waste of time”.

Burrillville Officials Shocked by EFSB Ruling to Suppress Opposition from Majority of RI Cities and Towns
Invenergy Says City / Town Opposition Resolutions
- “Irrelevant…Waste of Time”

Burrillville, RI:  Burrillville Town Officials today said they were disappointed and outraged that the Energy Facility Siting Board granted a motion from Invenergy to suppress opposition resolutions from the majority of RI Cities and Towns. Officials from 35 municipalities had passed resolutions against the proposed new CREC Invenergy power plant.  But at procedural hearings today, the EFSB granted an Invenergy motion to suppress those resolutions. The Invenergy motion called the resolutions "irrelevant" and “a waste of time”.

Both the Town of Burrillville and the Conservation Law Foundation had argued against the Invenergy motion.  Burrillville Attorney Michael McElroy said, “These are the voices of the legal representatives of the people throughout Rhode Island. They object to this power plant based on the adverse environmental impact to their community. What could be more relevant?”

Town Manager Michael Wood said today’s ruling in effect discounts the concerns and opinions from most of Rhode Island.  “This is not a local issue, this is a statewide issue,” said Wood. “It is clear that the almost every City and Town in the state opposes the proposed plant - and those resolutions should be accepted and respected.”

The EFSB ruled that only Burrillville’s opposition resolution will be fully considered in the deliberations. 

Town of Burrillville
105 Harrisville Main St.
Harrisville, RI 02830
(401) 568-4300
lphaneuf@burrillville.org