Officials say Somerset schools in line to receive all of $1.6 million from Brayton Point settlement

Officials are optimistic about the Somerset School Department receiving the lions share of $1.6 million in energy-efficient project funding as part of an April 1 settlement between the former owner of Brayton Point and the federal government.

My understanding is the school department had done everything they were supposed to do and, therefore, they would be rewarded with the whole $1.6 million, state Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset, said Monday night.

She said Fall River did not apply for its share.

Well have an announcement right after the first of the year. I feel very optimistic, said Somerset School Committee Vice Chairman Jamison Souza, who said hes been working closely with Haddad for months.

Were going to receive more than we originally planned strictly through the school department, he said.

Among project criteria are energy efficiency and renewable energy, Haddad said.

The Board of Selectmen are scheduled to talk about the issue at Wednesdays 6 p.m. meeting at Town Hall after Chairman Donald Setters asked Town Administrator Dennis Luttrell last week for an update on the settlement funds.

The April 1 settlement between Dominion owner of Brayton Point until this year and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been widely known.

As part of a 2010 court agreement over three Dominion power plants found to be in violation of 2010 federal clean air standards, the Virginia-based Dominion agreed to about $13 million in payments, including $9.8 million in federal mitigation projects and a $3.4 million civil penalties, including the $1.6 million for Somerset and Fall River to share.

In late August, school officials announced they submitted several energy recovery and energy control system projects to a Dominion manager, Alice Prior.

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Officials say Somerset schools in line to receive all of $1.6 million from Brayton Point settlement