By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff
 |
| Thank you, Randy Noka and the other members of the Narragansett Tribal Council |
Water is once again a problem for
Invenergy Thermal Development LLC, the Chicago-based developer of the
fossil-fuel power plant proposed for the woods of Burrillville, R.I.
On Jan. 22, the out-of-state energy
company gave up on its plan to use land owned by the Narragansett Indian Tribe
in Charlestown as a backup water source for cooling the proposed Clear River
Energy Center.
Invenergy’s top attorney, Michael
Blazer, said “turmoil, misinformation and misunderstanding” contributed to the
decision to end the controversial water deal.
Blazer made the comment in response
to a letter from
John B. Brown III, the Narragansett Indian Tribe's historic preservation
officer. Brown accused a small group of tribal members of derailing a Sept. 19,
2017 water agreement between Invenergy and the Narragansett Indian Tribe. Brown
claimed that members of the “dissident group” are not tribal leaders and had no
authority to speak on behalf of all Narragansetts.
Brown also blamed the overall
opposition movement, which includes Charlestown residents and officials, for
using those tribal members to further their cause.
“It is unfortunate that these individuals, who clearly have an agenda unrelated to the business of the Tribe and its clear economic needs, have tormented so much dissension,” Brown wrote.
During a Dec. 5 public hearing at
Charlestown Elementary School, residents and town officials were frustrated by
an absence of information, such as where the water would be taken from and the
route water trucks would drive through town. A filling station and the water
extraction system would also require permits from the town.
“The problem was with Invenergy, who
had a lack of information when they put this plan together,” Charlestown town
administrator Mark Stankiewicz told ecoRI News.
Stankiewicz learned of the
terminated water deal after reading a media report online. He said the
agreement isn’t likely officially terminated until the state Energy Facilities
Siting Board (EFSB) accepts the letters from Invenergy and the Narragansett
Indian Tribe. Charlestown was granted intervenor status in the application vetting process
in October.
"We have to withhold judgement
until the EFSB says what they are going to do," Stankiewicz said.
As a result of the cancelled water
termination agreement, seven members of the Narragansett Tribe who oppose the
deal have dropped their request to intervene in the Clear River Energy Center
application process.
Currently, Invenergy intends to get
its water from the town of Johnston. That water deal came after two
Burrillville water boards and the city of Woonsocket rejected selling water to
Invenergy.
The agreement with Johnston is being contested in state Superior Court.
Benn Water of Hopkinton is a backup water supply but opponents of the water deal have raised questions about the validity of an agreement to buy the water from a municipal source in Fall River, Mass.
The agreement with Johnston is being contested in state Superior Court.
Benn Water of Hopkinton is a backup water supply but opponents of the water deal have raised questions about the validity of an agreement to buy the water from a municipal source in Fall River, Mass.
"This is the fifth water plan
proposed by Invenergy and once again the water plan had not been fully vetted
for its feasibly and impact. At this juncture, there doesn't seem to be any
solid water plan - either primary or backup," said a statement from Burrillville
officials.
The latest development comes ahead
of a Jan. 30
hearing before the EFSB. Invenergy's
water deal with the Narragansett Indian Tribe was going to be accepted or
dismissed, along with a decision to suspend the application process until
Invenergy can resolve a legal dispute over who will pay to connect the $1
billion power plant to the electric grid.