Conectiv to tell its story

Information session on power plant proposal to be held Monday.

By: Vanessa S. Holt
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — The company that has proposed a 550-megawatt power plant on the Delaware River waterfront announced this week it will hold an "open house" information session from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the township Senior Center on Municipal Drive.
   A lawyer for Conectiv, the company that informally proposed the controversial power plant last year, attended a Bordentown Township Committee meeting last week and suggested the open house. Residents from both the township and Bordentown City attended the meeting to express their concerns about the proposed plant and many signed up to be informed of when an open house would be held.
   "At some point on each of our sites we hold an open house to let people become familiar with who Conectiv is and answer questions related to the project," said Nancy Sullivan, director of community development at Conectiv.
   Conectiv is actively seeking building and environmental permits in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania at several sites, said Ms. Sullivan.
   "At the present time we have not decided how many plants we will build," she said. "You must pursue more sites than you need because of the complexity of attempting to permit such a facility."
   At the open house, kiosks will be set up throughout the room with information relating to different aspects of the project, said Ms. Sullivan.
   "People can walk around the room and see the various components and ask whatever questions they have," she said.
   Residents of Bordentown City have added their voices to those of township residents who are opposed to the idea of a $400 million power plant on township property that is currently zoned for conservation. The zoning would have to be changed for the plant to proceed with its plans.
   At the Bordentown City Commission meeting on Monday night, Mike Hunninghake, chairman of the city Environmental Commission, expressed some of the environmental concerns that have come up around the issue.
   "This would affect Bordentown City and Fieldsboro more than many areas of the township," said Mr. Hunninghake. The site being considered for the plant is close to the borders of both towns.
   Air quality, emissions, thermal pollution of river water, threats to endangered species in the area and noise were among the issues that concerned Mr. Hunninghake.
   "This is a big deal," he said. "This could have a large impact on the quality of life and health in this area."
   Conectiv is headquartered in Delaware and recently completed a merger with the PEPCO energy company in Washington, D.C., creating one of the largest power delivery companies in the Mid-Atlantic region, said Ms. Sullivan.