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Portsmouth schedules EFSB public hearing on proposed natural-gas moratorium; council discusses drafting resolution
Summary
The Energy Facilities Siting Board will hold a public hearing Aug. 27 at Portsmouth Middle School on a proposed natural-gas moratorium; town officials discussed past actions, engineering fixes and the possibility of drafting a resolution urging a secondary pipeline and removal of a "peak shaving" facility at Old Mill Lane.
The Portsmouth Town Council reviewed background and next steps on an Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) hearing scheduled for Aug. 27 on a proposed moratorium affecting natural-gas service.
Town Administrator Joe Rainer told the council the EFSB hearing is intended "to receive public input from the public and businesses," and that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) may take up related issues later. "There's no vote being asked for by the council," Rainer said, describing the hearing as an opportunity to gather public comment.
Councilors and staff reviewed the town's prior correspondence on gas reliability dating to 2019–2020, when a gas-system failure in Newport prompted interim measures including a temporary peak‑shaving unit on Old Mill Lane. Councilors said options previously considered included a permanent installation at Old Mill Lane, a moratorium and incentives to transition buildings to electric heat pumps.
Several councilors advocated a resolution that would urge National Grid to install a secondary pipeline to create a looped supply onto the island and to remove the peak‑shaving facility at Old Mill Lane. Council President Keith Hamill said such a loop is "the only thing that's gonna fix this situation," and several members said drafting a resolution in advance would allow the council to vote on it at its Sept. 8 meeting and, if needed, finalize it on Sept. 22.
Council members noted that neighboring communities have taken differing positions: Middletown and Newport have both weighed in against moratoriums, while Portsmouth members expressed concern about residents who want gas as an option to move off oil and about the relative cost of electricity for households.
No formal stance was taken at the Aug. 25 meeting. Rainer said staff would prepare background materials and, if the council wants a formal resolution, the solicitor could draft language to include removal of the peak‑shaving facility, support for a secondary pipeline, and language about incentives or alternatives.
The EFSB public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Portsmouth Middle School's Little Theater. The council noted that, procedurally, a resolution would be prepared in public sessions so members could review and amend it before a vote.
The council did not vote on a resolution at the Aug. 25 meeting.
