Saturday, July 28, 2007
ANSONIA, Jul. 28, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Ansonia Copper and Brass has received state approval for a $75 million, 58-megawatt electric power generator to be built at its 75 Liberty St. plant.
Members of the Connecticut State Siting Council approved the project at a meeting Thursday in New Britain. Council members had given preliminary approval to the plan earlier this month.
Ansonia Copper and Brass President Ray McGee has said previously he plans to begin construction in mid-August or September. Work is expected to last about a year.
The company's investment comes just as the city also is looking to start its own sweeping energy project.
Ansonia recently announced plans to become the first municipality in the state to build a micro-energy grid for businesses and city buildings.
Buildings will be powered by a system of small, environmentally friendly generators. Officials working on the plan have touted it as a cheaper alternative to connecting to the over-taxed grid.
Mayor James Della Volpe said he has spoken to McGee about purchasing power generated at the soon-to-be built Liberty Street plant for the city's microgrid. Those talks remain preliminary, Della Volpe said Friday.
Ansonia Copper and Brass will use about 10 megawatts of the power generated at its plant, leaving the remaining power to be sold onto the grid.
Over the past decade, the company has suffered large layoffs, caused in part by competition from Europe, the high cost of metals and rising utility costs. McGee has said savings in utilities once the generator is built might allow the company to hire back some of the lost workers.
The generator is expected to increase Ansonia Copper and Brass's taxes to the city by $1.8 million.
The company is the city's second-largest taxpayer, paying about $200,000 per year.
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