WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) — Gov. Gina Raimondo says she’s concerned about legislation that would create a new roadblock for a proposed gas-fired power plant in rural Rhode Island.
The Democrat told reporters Wednesday that it’s not a good signal to businesses to change the way projects are approved halfway through the siting process.
A bill to give townspeople in Burrillville more say over the proposed 900-megawatt plant is headed to the floor of the state House of Representatives. It was approved by an environmental committee on Tuesday.
It would require a town voter referendum to approve the tax treaty negotiated between the Burrillville Town Council and Chicago-based power plant developer Invenergy LLC.
It would also expand the membership of the state’s Energy Facilities Siting Board, which has been reviewing the plant proposal for months.
