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Invenergy's RI gas plant gets later in-service date

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Invenergy's RI gas plant gets later in-service date

The first unit of a proposed gas-fired power plant in Rhode Island is not expected to be in service until June 1, 2021, project developer Invenergy LLC told state regulators. The company, which plans to build the roughly 1,000-MW Clear River Energy Center in Burrillville, R.I., has a permit application before the state Energy Facility Siting Board. Invenergy had previously expected Unit 1 to begin commercial operation in June 2020 but has pushed back that date by one year.

John Niland, director of business development for Invenergy subsidiary Invenergy Thermal Development LLC, told the siting board on Nov. 20 that the target date was postponed because National Grid USA does not expect to finish a transmission line from an existing switching station to the plant until Dec. 1, 2020, because of permitting delays.

"Invenergy remains committed to working towards an earlier 'In-Service Date,' but should that not be possible, Invenergy will work toward the new date for commercial operation by June 1, 2021," Niland said in written testimony.

A representative for National Grid was not immediately available to comment on Nov. 27. National Grid spokesman Ted Kresse told the Providence Journal that the utility has been waiting for Invenergy to provide a form of financial security and an authorization to start design work and buying equipment. The Clear River Energy Center proposal has faced a series of challenges since Invenergy filed its permit application in October 2015. The Conservation Law Foundation and the town of Burrillville have filed a lawsuit to stop the town of Johnston from buying and trucking water from the city of Providence for the project.

Earlier this month, Invenergy told the siting board that the region's grid operator ISO New England had disqualified the second unit of the project from participating in the 12th forward capacity auction for 2021 to 2022.

The siting board met Nov. 27 to consider a series of motions tied to the power plant application. The board dismissed a petition to intervene from the Tribal Council of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. The Conservation Law Foundation had filed a motion for oral argument and formal ruling on Invenergy's request for an additional hearing in Burrillville, but an attorney for the group during the hearing said the motion was now moot. The board also rejected a motion from the town of Burrillville to dismiss the application.

The board did agree to allow time for additional discovery, additional supplemental testimony by experts and supplemental advisory opinions. The Conservation Law Foundation said additional discovery, expert testimony and advisory opinions are needed in light of the news that Unit 2 cannot participate in the upcoming forward capacity auction. (Rhode Island EFSB Docket No. SB 2015-06)