Connecticut has awarded $30 million for a water pollution control microgrid and 20 other storm resiliency projects in 11 communities.
The money comes from federal funds to help municipalities avert a repeat of damage caused from a series of severe storms that hit the state in recent years. The money also goes to restore infrastructure damaged by the storms.
The state allotted $2.5 million for the water pollution control microgrid, which will be built in the town of Fairfield.
The project will include a new combined heat and power plant that will provide energy under normal operations and can island during outages and continue to supply power. Biogas produced by the wastewater treatment facility will fuel the plant.
Fairfield also will receive $2.3 million to construct an earthen berm and storm water pump station to protect the waste water treatment plant and other critical facilities from flooding.
In addition to the water pollution control microgrid, other energy-oriented projects that received funds include:
Bridgeport, Crescent Crossing — $2,912,893: This project will correct flooding by raising the grade of the site above the 100-year-flood plain. It involves building a retaining wall, installing storm water drainage, and installing underground utilities, site lighting, and emergency generators. It will be followed by the construction of streets and sidewalks
Bridgeport, Essential Generators— $610,000: This infrastructure grant will support installing generators at Hooker, Madison, Columbus, Cross, and Hallen schools. Significant power outages during Super Storm Sandy resulted in the city doing an extensive analysis of its critical facilities. The analysis identified 46 public facilities in need of generators. These five generators were deemed essential.
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Milford, Essential Generator — $161,250: This project will provide 100% of the necessary power to conduct full shelter operations at Jonathan Law High School – including use of the cafeteria, kitchen, food storage, auditorium and classrooms – by connecting a new 200KW natural gas generator to the existing natural gas line
Norwalk, Route 136 Bridge Resiliency — $2,625,000: The project will improve the resiliency and operation of the Route 136 moveable bridge over Norwalk Harbor during extreme weather events. Waterproofing the gate house floors and raising existing sea walls will minimize overtopping by incoming tides during storm tidal surges. In addition, submersible electrical junction boxes, pit lights, and electrical boxes will be installed and limit switches will be relocated.
Stamford, generator upgrades — $303,795: This project will upgrade generators to ensure continuity of operations at these two critical sites: the Government Center and the Smith House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Both generators are under sized and beyond their useful life.
Stratford, Bunnell High School Generator — $310,000: A generator will be installed at Bunnell High School in order to run the critical infrastructure at the school, which will service as an emergency shelter in future storm emergencies.
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