But some environmental groups have objected to the proposal, saying the change isn’t minor and should undergo a more extensive environmental review.
“Burning diesel is a lot dirtier than the existing plant, so it could increase both local air pollution that hurts people and also will increase the amount of carbon that’s burned at the facility,” said Hudson Kingston, an attorney for the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
Sarah Mooradian, government relations and policy director for the environmental group Clean Up the River Environment, or CURE, called the proposal a step backward from the state’s energy goals.
“This is not a future of clean energy that we need, and that the Legislature this year confirmed we need and wants to push us towards,” she said.