FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2011

Today, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board issued a Final Decision rejecting the Brockton Power Company’s proposal to use municipal potable water to cool its proposed fossil-fuel power plant in Brockton.

Residents of Brockton and West Bridgewater, represented by Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE), argued that Brockton Power’s proposal to evaporate more than 1.7 million gallons per day of drinking water in cooling towers was an unconscionable waste of a precious resource and would hurt the Silver Lake and Jones River ecosystems. The Siting Board agreed that Brockton Power had failed to account for the environmental harms in its proposal.

Jim Long, a West Bridgewater resident said, “This is the first time I have truly felt we have turned the tide. Brockton Power is now on the defensive side of this battle.”

The proposed power plant is not in line with the future residents envision for the community. For more than four years, we have been fighting the proposed power plant because it would increase air pollution, adding another environmental burden to an area already struggling with high rates of health problems. The Mayor of Brockton and most other elected officials in Brockton and West Bridgewater have supported the residents in the fight.

Brockton resident Tina Jones said, “With hope, determination and hard work, anything is possible when you're fighting on the right side.”

Brockton Power has 20 days to appeal the decision in court. Without water, it will not be able to run a plant with cooling towers.