Grid Operator: Explosion Shouldn't Affect Power Supply

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Operators of New England's power grid say the fatal explosion that halted construction of a large generating plant in Connecticut will not likely rob the region of needed power.

But ISO-New England in Holyoke, Mass., said Monday it will assess the impact of the explosion if the 620-megawatt Kleen Energy natural gas plant is not brought on line. Five people were killed in Sunday's explosion.

ISO's long-term plans did not anticipate that the plant would be available until June 2011. The plant was nearly 95 percent
complete.

State Sen. John Fonfara, co-chair of the Connecticut legislature's Energy Committee, said the plant is ``very much
needed'' and was counted on to boost capacity on the power grid and help keep down energy prices.