News Summary
The Cumberland Town Planning Board has approved the expansion of the Rhode Island Energy training facility, enhancing workforce development. The project will disturb eight acres and features dedicated areas for gas and electric crew training, while addressing concerns about noise and operational hours. The initiative promotes local job opportunities and aligns with the town’s economic development goals.
Cumberland, Rhode Island – Planning Board Approves Rhode Island Energy Training Facility Expansion
The Cumberland Town Planning Board has approved an expansion of the Rhode Island Energy training facility located on a 62-acre site off Mendon Road at the I-295 interchange. The new development will provide dedicated areas for both gas and electric crew training, aiming to enhance the workforce development capabilities in the region.
This expansion project will disturb approximately eight acres of largely wooded land for construction purposes. Once completed, the facility will be secured by an 8-foot barbed wire fence, subject to approval from the Town Council. Board members raised concerns about the operational hours, specifically the potential for weekend operations and noise generated by truck activities associated with the training facility.
The current preliminary plan submitted for approval follows a master plan that was previously greenlit by the board last year. This latest plan includes more detailed information concerning drainage and other essential construction elements. Addresses associated with the project include 1595 Mendon Road, 38 Scott Road, and 96 Scott Road.
Currently, there are 285 employees stationed at the existing site, and the approved expansion is expected to further bolster local job opportunities. Approval conditions stipulate that lot merging is required along with obtaining permissions for fire, water, and sewer services. Principal Planner Abby McVerry confirmed that the applicant met earlier conditions focused on lighting, landscaping, and stormwater management, indicating thorough preparation for the new facility.
The planned training facility will feature various specialized training areas, such as an underground electric de-energized training area and an outdoor gas excavation training area. Additionally, there will be an overhead electric village and underground residential distribution cul-de-sac, along with substation operation and maintenance facilities to support training efforts effectively.
The existing pavement within the site’s northwest section will be re-striped, which is aimed at establishing a commercial driver’s license training area. Josh O’Neill, a member of the Planning Board, expressed his concerns regarding the potential noise and vibration from the driver training area, which is centrally located on the property. He emphasized the importance of addressing these impacts to mitigate disturbance to the surrounding community.
While weekend training sessions are anticipated to occur infrequently, they will be implemented only under special circumstances. Planning Board member Chris Butler made the successful motion to approve the preliminary plan, which included variances for stormwater basin depth, buffer zones, and facility enclosures. The Planning Department supports this application as it aligns with the town’s broader economic development priorities, demonstrating an effort to refine workforce training in the energy sector.
This initiative not only represents an investment in local infrastructure but also highlights a commitment to enhancing training and development opportunities for energy workers in Rhode Island.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Valley Breeze: Major Rhode Island Energy Training Facility Approved in Cumberland
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island
- Providence Business News: Substation Problem Leaves Thousands of R.I. Energy Customers in the Dark
- Google Search: Rhode Island Energy
- WPRI: 16,000 Lose Power in Northeastern RI
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Energy
- Daily Energy Insider: Rhode Island Energy Gets Approval to Clear Vegetation on 1,200 Miles of Power Lines
- Google News: Rhode Island Training Facility
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