PORTSMOUTH — Citing improper notification of abutters, the R.I. Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB) has canceled next week’s hearing on the proposed permanent installation of Rhode Island Energy’s liquified natural gas (LNG) vaporization facility on Old Mill Lane. 

The hearing was originally scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Portsmouth High School, but that’s not happening now.

A message posted to the town’s website on Thursday, Jan. 18 stated the following: “The Siting Board was informed by Rhode Island Energy that the company neglected to provide the required notice to the abutters to the project that there would be a public comment hearing on Jan. 24.

“Similarly, the company has not provided the required notice to the abutters for the evidentiary hearings within the statutorily mandated timeframe. 

“As a consequence, the board has canceled both the public comment hearing of Jan. 24 and the evidentiary hearings that had been scheduled for Feb. 12, 14, and 22. The public comment hearing and evidentiary hearings will need to be rescheduled. The parties and the public will be notified of a new schedule at a later date.”

For several years the site has been used only as a seasonal option to meet peak demand during the colder months. However in April 2022, the company filed a supplemental application with EFSB, identifying the Old Mill Lane facility as its preferred long-term solution and to seek a full license

The EFSB is accepting public comment on the proposal to permanently install equipment, with a potential to expand on the site.

EFSB is also reviewing SouthCoast Wind’s controversial proposal to run transmission lines over Portsmouth to transfer electricity generated by its off-shore wind facility. During a contentious Town Council hearing about those plans at PHS on Tuesday, Jan. 16, council member Keith Hamilton urged residents to attend the EFSB's hearing on Old Mill Lane so they can “see how the sausage is made."