The city’s Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission voted unanimously to issue a permit for the river crossing needed for a gas line and fuel cell project near Weaver High School. The Connecticut Natural Gas Co. project is intended to serve a University of Hartford fuel cell. While the plan had called for a gas line to run under the school, CNG officials said that they would tie into the pre-existing gas line on Weaver High School’s property, but would not run it underneath the building. According to information presented about the project, the Hartford City Council in September 2022 approved an easement to allow CNG to extend an existing pipeline on the Weaver High School property. The line also provides gas service to the school building. The existing pipeline also runs through the adjacent neighborhood to provide service to homes, according to the presentation. The pipe would convey gas to power a 1.84 MW fuel cell for electricity generation at the university, according to the presentation.
Hartford commission OKs river crossing permit for controversial fuel cell project