On October 18, 2005, PSEG Connecticut LLC (PSEG) submitted a petition to the Connecticut Siting Council (Council) for a declaratory ruling that the demolition and removal of several existing unneeded structures and buildings at the PSEG Bridgeport Harbor Generating Station would not require a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) from the Council because the proposed work would not be a modification under CGS Section 16-50i(d) and/or would not have a significant adverse environmental effect under CGS Section 16-50k(a). On November 1, 2005, Gerald Heffernan of the Council and Robert Erling of the Council Staff met with Robert Silverstri of PSEG for a field review of this petition.

Public Act 03-72 requires coal-fired electric generating units in Connecticut to reduce their mercury emissions by July 1, 2008. Bridgeport Harbor 3 is a dual-fired, low-sulfur coal and residual oil electric generating unit subject to this Act when burning coal. PSEG proposes to install a baghouse mercury emissions reduction system in this two phase project. To make room for the mercury-reducing equipment, PSEG must demolish and remove a number of structures at this facility (Phase I). Phase II of the project will consist of the actual installation of this equipment, which will be the subject of a future petition.

The structures and buildings which would be removed include the Unit I and Unit 2 overhead coal conveyer system; engineering field office; engineering field office extension; warehouse 2; utility house; oil/ash sluice tower and surge tank; 13.8kV switching ear and foundation; two underground storage tanks; one above ground storage tank; and miscellaneous equipment in the baghouse area. The Ebasco warehouse, building maintenance warehouse, and thaw shed may also be removed. Most of these structures date from nineteen fifties to early nineteen sixties.

The structural steel and light iron to be demolished will be recycled. Mortar and aggregate from concrete will also be recycled. Some of the motor drives and generators to be removed will be salvaged and sold. Construction and demolition debris which is not recyclable will be brought to a licensed landfill facility.

Demolition is not expected to generate significant amounts of dust, but structure and buildings will be subject to wetting prior to and during demolition. Removal of demolition debris would require an estimated four vehicles per day during a ten week period. Noise level reading will be taken from various areas near the demolition work, and if state or city noise levels are exceeded, alternative demolition methods would be employed. Silt fencing will be installed to minimize erosion and sedimentation in the area. The City of Bridgeport has no objection to Phase I of this project, as indicated in a letter from the Mayor of Bridgeport to PSEG, dated September 29, 2005.