More power, Scotty!

MILFORD

The proposed expansion of a power plant in Milford has been short-circuited.

Officials at International Power America, which runs a power plant in Milford, said they were recently notified by regional energy regulators that the plant did not qualifty for a upcoming auction for expansion rights in the area.

A company spokesperson said that the reason given was that a key interconnection with the regional power transmission system would not be completed by a 2010 deadline.

The natural gas-fired plant currently generates 140 megawatts during peak usage periods. The proposed expansion would have added a gas turbine to more than double the plant's output during peak loads to 310 megawatts.

The company has already re-submitted qualification documents for the next auction, which has a deadline in 2011, officials said.

-- Nadia Salomon