Competitive Power Ventures made its first presentation for a new power plant to the Board of Selectmen in front of a bustling standing-room-only crowd at Tuesday's meeting.
Development director Orlando Martinez presented the Braintree-based company's proposal for a 300- to 600-megawatt power plant to be located on a roughly 14-acre parcel at the end of Industrial Road.
Competitive Power chose the site because it's near gas and electric infrastructure, is zoned industrial, and the town highlighted that area for development, Martinez said.
The primary fuel source will be natural gas, with a backup of ultra-low sulfur diesel. Water is expected to be drawn from the town at a rate of up to 200,000 gallons per day, with wastewater going into the Walpole sewer system, said Martinez, adding later that since the plant will be air-cooled, the need for water will be minimized.
"We're going to be working very closely with (the Water and Sewer Department)," Martinez said.
Selectman Michael Caron said the 200,000-gallon figure "seems like a lot of water."
Martinez said he has concern over the aquifer, which runs beneath the proposed site. "I personally feel obligated to do whatever I can to protect the town's water supply," he said.
The backup oil tanks will feature two steel tanks surrounded by a concrete containment area that can hold 110 percent of the tanks' contents, according to Competitive Power spokesman Scott Farmelant, as well as electrical sensors that will detect any leak.
Town Administrator Michael Boynton, however, was skeptical.
"In my opinion," he said, "the best way to protect the aquifer from oil is just simply not have it there." His comment drew a rousing applause from the capacity audience.
If the company got approval, Competitive Power would enter into a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program with the town that would set up an ongoing sustainable revenue and a "flat line" in what the town can expect to receive in taxes, according to Jim Brady, attorney for Competitive Power and a Walpole resident.
Brady said a PILOT agreement would be beneficial for both parties and stressed the power plant would no doubt become the largest taxpayer in Walpole.
"Let's be honest," he said, "the elephant in the room is how much money is the town going to get out of this."
To answer that question, he said, discussions must begin. He also urged the board to set up a review committee.
Selectman Chris Timson asked how far away the closest neighbors would be, to which Martinez replied about a half of a mile. He then said that one house is within a third of a mile of the proposed site.
Selectmen did not field comments from the public Tuesday in the interest of time, but the board suggested setting up a public forum to be held in the high school auditorium and to be broadcast live on Walpole Community Television.
Competitive Power representatives agreed, but rejected the suggested date of Nov. 14 because they would not be ready.
Selectmen Chairman Albert DeNapoli said he would like to hold the forum sooner rather than later, and asked Competitive Power to not participate in any further board hearings until it occurred, which Farmelant said was indeed CPV's intent.
As far as the public is concerned, Martinez said, he knew there were many concerned residents but he hopes to work with them and resolve any issues.
"Our intent is to be part of the community," he said. "We're going to be making a very large investment in the town of Walpole. We are to be here for 20 or so more years. So, we really want to be a part of this community."
Keith Ferguson can be reached at 508-668-0243 ext. 14 or via email at keith@walpoletimes.com
