Paul Doyle

Kleen Energy Power Plant Safety Bill Passes Legislature

Doyle: “We must ensure the Kleen Energy tragedy is not repeated”

Today Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield, Middletown) said both houses of the General Assembly have passed legislation to implement new power plant construction safety measures, a response to the tragic Kleen Energy power plant explosion in Middletown last year.

“The terrible catastrophe at the Kleen Energy plant last year was doubly tragic, not only due to the number of workers killed and injured, but also because we now know those casualties could have been avoided. This bill will ban the gas blowing procedure that caused the explosion, and take additional steps to prevent a similar incident in the future,” said Senator Doyle.

House Bill 5802 implements the recommendations of the Thomas Commission, which was assigned to study the Middletown tragedy and how to avoid a similar event. The bill permanently bans the use of flammable gas to clean or blow a power plant’s gas piping—a procedure found to have caused the Kleen Energy explosion.

The bill also requires new electric generating facilities to pay for special inspectors to assist local fire marshals in reviewing building plans and conducting site inspections during construction. The Connecticut Siting Council is required to consult with the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and other agencies before approving any plans.

The legislation now proceeds to the desk of Governor Dannel P. Malloy.