Latest news with #O&GIndustries
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The proposal is for a high-tech trash plant. For many CT residents that's a hard ‘no'
Despite a company's assurances about using only modern technology, its proposed trash-processing plant in Connecticut hit a wall of public opposition when residents recently voted 10-1 against the idea. The non-binding Plainfield referendum doesn't stop the Smart Technologies LLC proposal, because the state government — not the town — has authority over it. But the lopsided result shows that despite an extensive public outreach campaign, Smart Technologies still faces a steep uphill battle to build local support. Only 12% of the town voted, but gave the project a resounding defeat: 1,148 to just 125. Smart Technologies held a heavily attended public meeting last month where the overwhelming majority of the audience appeared to oppose the project. The company has promised jobs, new tax revenue and tighter control over rising trash-disposal costs, but homeowners say they fear pollution, health risks, traffic and damage to property values. The company wants to build an unconventional trash-to-energy plant on about 81 acres near Route 12 and Route 14. Unlike typical trash-burning incinerators, this facility would employ 'gasification' — a process of break down garbage into gases, which would power a turbine and generate electricity for the power grid. Smart Technologies contends the system doesn't generate the smoke and ash associated with trash incinerators, and wouldn't be an environmental hazard. The company, a partnership of O & G Industries and Advanced Waste Technologies International, contends its system can separate hazardous materials as well as recyclable metal and glass from a stream of municipal trash. It directs organic material to an anaerobic digester that produces a biogas capable of being converted into natural gas, and can separately process methane and carbon dioxide to prevent pollution. So far, homeowners haven't been swayed. 'We, the local residents, are deeply distressed by the proposed construction and operation of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management, recycling and power generation complex near Norwich Road and Black Hill Road in Plainfield,' reads an online petition started in April. 'This matter is of personal concern because it significantly threatens our environment, health, and overall prosperity of our town,' it concludes, urging people to contact Gov. Ned Lamont and local legislators. About 750 people have signed the petition, according to At its public information meeting, the company maintained Plainfield could gain a lot if the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection approves permits for the project. 'We have married a number of technologies together. This is a unique system,' said William Corvo, the project manager. 'There are special benefits which apply specifically to Plainfield. Those benefits include reduction of local taxes,' Corvo said. 'This is a sizeable project. It will be able to provide, once completed, several million dollars per year in new tax revenue. 'It's not going to be the biggest employer in the town, but this facility will provide a minimum of 160 long-term jobs,' he added. Corvo promised the company would listen to residents' objections. 'We will take them seriously. What you have to say is important to us and we'll react positively and try to make our project better at every step along the way with less negative impact if possible,' he said. The referendum, however, indicates opposition remains strong. In an unusual joint letter, the town's Republican and Democratic committees recently opposed the project. 'The reality of over 100 garbage trucks traveling daily between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. through peaceful neighborhoods would be profoundly disruptive,' they wrote. 'Furthermore, this pristine area is home to diverse wildlife, including a bald eagle nesting site, and faces significant risks of pollution to valuable underground water sources.'
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norwich awards $4.7M construction management contract for two new schools
Norwich — The School Building Committee has chosen Torrington-based O&G Industries as the construction manager for the Uncas and John M. Moriarty schools, the second two of four schools that will be built as part of a $385 million citywide school construction project. The new Uncas and Moriarty schools are in the early phases of being designed, building committee Chairman and Alderman Mark Bettencourt said Wednesday. The first two schools, Stanton and Greeneville elementary schools, are closer to being built and expect to break ground this spring. The construction manager for the first two schools is Downes Construction. The new Stanton, Uncas and Moriarty buildings will be built on the grounds of the current schools while they continue to operate. Once completed, the old schools will be torn down and used to create playgrounds and athletic fields. Greeneville, meanwhile, will be built on the grounds of the demolished Greeneville School and adjacent land on Golden Street. The overall project also calls for Teachers' Memorial Global Studies Middle School to be either renovated or replaced, and for the former Samuel Huntington Elementary School to be converted into a central office and adult education building. The city has hired Construction Solutions Group as project manager and DRA Architects as the project architect for all four projects. Impact of Trump tariffs The amount the city can spend on all six buildings is the $385 million approved by voters in 2022. 'We had to modify some plans for the future due to budgetary considerations,' Bettencourt said, adding that the total cost hasn't changed at this point. Bettencourt said that once the city gets proposals back for subcontracting work, it will have a better idea about the actual project costs. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed proclamations that will place 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum and Canadian wood. Bettencourt said the building committee is concerned over the effect of the tariffs. He said costs will depend on where the materials are procured and their cost at the time. The design work for the new Stanton and Greeneville schools is complete, Bettencourt said. In November, the school board approved new designs that will save money. The state is reimbursing the city for 80% of the costs for the Greeneville and Stanton schools, Bettencourt said. After that, it will reimburse the city a minimum of 67% for the other four buildings. Bettencourt said the city has tried to separate the timing of the projects so that all four schools are not being built at the same time. O&G is one of the region's largest providers of construction services. It was one of four companies in to submit a proposal to the city to oversee the building of the Moriarty and Uncas schools but was not the low bidder. Three of the four were interviewed this week. Downes had also submitted a bid but was not chosen. Cost was just one of the various factors considered by the committee in choosing a firm. According to bid documents, O&G will charge the city $2.3 million for constructing the Moriarty school, and another $2.4 million for Uncas. Bettencourt said the city still needs to negotiate the terms of its contract with O&G. Bettencourt said committee members had been impressed by an O&G employee they met while another committee member had experience with O&G on a previous school project. According to its website, O&G has experience building hundreds of schools, including providing construction management services for the building of the Groton Consolidated Middle School, along with the Thames River Magnet School and Mystic River Magnet School.
