Kleen Energy Pipe Purging Saturday and Sunday

Saturday, Kleen contractors O&G planned pipe purging, and they have closed access to areas around the plant using private duty Middletown Police stationed at the end of Bow Lane and at the plant's gate.

According to a statement provide by O&G spokesman Dan Carey, "On Saturday December 18, a venting procedure for the purpose of cleaning piping will be conducted at the KLEEN Energy site.  A non-flammable, inert substance (nitrogen) will be exclusively utilized during the process...Various signal indicators, including air horns, loudspeakers and sirens, will be sounded during this process and are a normal part of the procedure."

Bow lane resident, and former Common Council member Earle Roberts has opposed the siting of the Kleen Energy plant from its inception.  Earle's home is just over the ridge to the south of the plant.

Roberts is also concerned about noise from the plant once it's operational in April.

"I asked Mayor Thornton for compensation from the beginning," Roberts said. "And the city refused.  She said it was all within the law."

During the gas explosion earlier this year at the plant, Robert's home was rocked, and an outbuilding was damaged.

"I'm still dealing with the insurance company over that," Roberts said.

He said he had heard nothing unusual from the plant as of Saturday morning, though he had received a phone call from the contractors warning about the procedure.

"I feel safer today, safer than I've ever felt, because of what has happened," Roberts said.