Governor Gina Raimondo meets Monday with critics and residents in Burrillville who oppose a proposed power plant. As Rhode Island Public Radio’s John Bender reports, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is declining to take a position on the project.
Whitehouse says his input on the proposed natural gas fired plant could hinder a local decision.
“I haven’t wanted to get involved in local citing issues that in some respects are adjudicatory,” said Whitehouse. “There’s a fair process and for people to lean in politically isn’t perhaps the right thing to do. Whereas in the politics of this, that’s where I want to be having my fight
In Washington, Senator Whitehouse has become a well-known critic of fossil fuel and a strong advocate for reducing the threat of climate change. But Whitehouse says he won’t weigh in the proposal to build a natural gas fired power plant in Burrillville.
“I am perhaps the most ardent voice in the Senate against the fossil fuel industry, but I’ve tried not to get involved in a local siting decision,” said Whitehouse.
That siting decision – an approval or denial of for the project – will be made by the Rhode Island Energy Siting Board likely next year.
