The Federal Aviation Administration is against an 805-megawatt natural gas power plant that Competitive Power Ventures wants to put on a hill near the Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Connecticut. The FAA believes the power plant will cause electromagnetic interference and many safety issues for pilots.
The FAA is concerned with air navigation being negatively affected. It stresses concern about planes hitting the two highest stacks from the power plant or hot steam from the towers, which could cause extreme turbulence on planes.
“You would be totally surprised by this uncommanded roll or bank of the airplane, and because you’re flying at a low altitude, and you’re slow because you’re preparing to land, this can cause what is typically known as a stall-spin accident,” pilot Vince Calio said.
However, other pilots don’t agree. Herman Schuler, pilot and former economic development director in Oxford, believes the power plant poses very little danger to pilots.
“Pilots coming in to Sikorsky Memorial Airport pass right over the stacks of the power plant in Bridgeport. The turbulence over that is insignificant and not even as bad as a hot summer day. This plant is located 4000 feet off of the runway center line,” Schuler said.
It remains unclear whether or not the plant will be built. The Connecticut Siting Council will tour the airport on Jan. 15 and listen to statements from the public. A decision should be made within the upcoming months.
