Burlington Electric Department General Manager, Barbara Grimes, announced today that the Burlington Electric Department was moving ahead with plans to build an enclosure over the railroad trestle at the McNeil Generating facility.

"The concerns that have been created by wood dust that escapes while unloading wood chips by rail have gone on long enough." "There have been years of process, meetings with neighborhood residents and studies. We recognize that while the Old North End has dust from many sources, it is obvious that wood dust from McNeil continues to be perceived as a visible problem in the surrounding neighborhoods." "We have heard the residents and understand it is time to eliminate this source of complaint."

BED is planning to apply for a grant from the State of Vermont’s Rail Siding fund to help support a cost that is estimated to be just over 1 million dollars. If successful, the State would contribute a third of the cost, the Joint Owners of McNeil would contribute a third and the Rail Road would contribute the same.

"We are looking at several proposals for either a hard or soft shell containment system. Once the Electric Commissioners have agreed upon a design, it will go through the regular City approval process where all city residents will have an opportunity for input.

"If all the pieces fall into place, we would like to start construction by the summer of 2000, "said John Irving, McNeil Plant Manager.

Contact:

Barbara Grimes, General Manager

865-4706