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The former animal control building on Coon Hollow Road has been mothballed for several years. Animal control in Derby is handled through an agreement with the City of Shelton.
DERBY — The city is considering leasing city-owned land on Coon Hollow Road for a 2 megawatt fuel cell.
Fuel cells generate power by converting chemical energy into electrical power in a process that emits water instead of pollutants, according to the website of Fuel Cell Energy, the company interested in putting the fuel cell on Coon Hollow Road.
The company is eyeing the former dog pound on Coon Hollow Road, which is next to the city’s dog park and is part of the Derby Public Works complex. A small building is currently on the site.
Derby government is considering leasing the land to the company for $50,000 per year for 20 years, according to Andrew Baklik, Mayor Rich Dziekan’s chief of staff.
The Aldermen approved an option to lease the land during a meeting Thursday. However, it doesn’t mean the project will move forward.
Corporation counsel Vin Marino explained that in order to move forward, Fuel Cell Energy needs approvals from the Connecticut Siting Council, a state entity.
The affirmative vote from Derby simple enables the company to show the siting council it has secured a potential location.
A formal lease would have to come back to the Aldermen/Alderwomen for review and approval.
Fuel Cell Energy is in the process of building a 14.8 megawatt fuel cell project off Roosevelt Drive on privately-owned industrial land.
Dziekan’s administration championed the Roosevelt Drive project, saying it will generate $200,000 to the city every year for 20 years, according to a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement between Derby and the company.
“These projects provide a significant boost to the energy grid, and there’s no pollution,” Baklik said. “And, given the financial situation we’re in, it’s an innovative way to bring in funds to the city that we desperately need, without putting any strain on our city services. We’re taking two under-utilized properties and putting a viable user on those properties.”
