The Connecticut Siting Council has approved the City of Bridgeport’s Green Energy Park consisting of 9000 solar panels and a 2.8 MW fuel cell installation at a an old and unused landfill.
According to the City, the approval is the final regulatory green light for the clean energy project to commence having already secured approval from the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Bridgeport Parks Commission, and the Bridgeport City Council.
The Siting Council voted 6-1 in favour of the solar project and 7-0 in favour of the fuel cell facility. The solar panels will generate 2.2 MW, bringing total capacity for the facility to 5 MW.
The City added that the Green Energy Park will create up to 92 jobs and bring in $7 million in tax revenue to the city during its 20 year lease.
Following the approval, utility firm United Illuminating can now move forward with design and procurement of key elements of the project.
However, the City said that before breaking ground, the company must submit an updated development and management plan to the Siting Council, which is normal procedure.
Given the time of year the decision was made, the City added that United Illuminating can complete the plan and will likely have approval by the spring, and they’ll likely be ready to begin construction without delay.
According to the City its use of 19 MW of stationary fuel cells is unique amongst cities in the United States and provides both electric grid support and well as on-site power.
“The overwhelming support this project has received at the federal, state, and local level is simple: We have an old, polluted, and dormant landfill. With Green Energy Park, we’re making use of this old dump by making it a bastion for green job creation, making it a tax revenue generator for the city that powers thousands of home with clean energy, while also ensuring that our kids breathe cleaner air,” commented Mayor Bill Finch – who championed the Green Energy Park.