Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Inland Wetlands and Watercourses to take up Oil and Gas Pipelines













Tonight (Wednesday December 3) the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency will take up applications for the construction of oil and natural gas pipelines to fuel turbine generators at the Kleen Energy plant on River Road.

The gas pipeline, being built by NikkiLabella and Algonquin Gas Transmission is slated to run beneath existing paved roadway, some of which cross wetlands.

A public hearing will be held on a 12-inch, ultra-low-sulfur diesel pipeline which will run from the river's edge, under the Arrigoni Bridge, then under roadways including DeKoven Drive, River Road, Eastern Road and Bow Lane. It will then cross open space between Bow Lane and River Road, where it will cross defined wetlands (see photo of map). The proposed pipeline will be built by Buckeye Partners LP.

Kleen Energy has stated that it will run its turbine generators with natural gas unless natural gas is unavailable or uneconomic, at which time it would burn low-sulfur diesel.

The Inland Wetlands meeting begins at 7 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. The proceedings will be televised on the local educational access channel on Comcast.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

How may I obtain a copy of the "preliminary" proposed path of the oil pipeline and the gas pipeline as well? Are these documents at Russell Library?

The following information from The Connecticut Siting Council's (CSC)Opinion to issue Kleen's Certificate for construction, operation and management, has had some changes according to Mr. Corvo. The oil storage tank has changed from 0ne 950, 000 gal tank to two 4,000,000 gal tanks, for example. Although Mr. Corvo did nor discuss the path of the oil pipeline with me, perhaps there have been approved changes from "...new oil pipeline in River Road..." I assume these issues will be addressed at the next meeting?

FROM CSC DECISIONS DOCKET NO.225..
OPINION (pg.2 of 4)
Nov 21, 2002
"Kleen Energy seeks to burn low sulfur distillate fuel as an alternative fuel, rather than strictly an emergency fuel, thereby obtaining maximum flexibility and allowing the applicant to use whichever fuel is the most economical. Flexibility would not be without limits however, as the project could not operate for more than 720 hours a year on back up fuel oil, which is a standard DEP permit for alternative fuel. The fuel oil would be supplied via the existing Buckeye pipeline which passes under the Connecticut River. Kleen Energy would construct a new oil pipeline in River Road to the utility corridor leading to the site’s 950,000-gallon oil storage tank. This system of delivery would eliminate the need for fuel truck traffic in and out of the site."

Thanks to the Middletown Eye for covering the continuing dispute between the Hills and Borellis. Where Are Romeo (Borelli) and Juliet (Hills) when we need them?!
Barrie