The Board of Alders unanimously authorized the energy supply company Global Partners to increase the air pollution from one of its Annex tanks in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars each year allotted to city and neighborhood-based environmental initiatives. Local legislators took that vot e on Tuesday during the latest meeting of the full Board of Alders at City Hall. The alders approved a Community Environmental Benefits Agreement (CEBA) between Global Partners and the city — bringing the company one step closer toward a permit to change the fuel stored in an energy tank from diesel to gasoline. The tank in question is one of Global Partners’ 10 energy storage tanks at the New Haven Terminal at 500 Waterfront St. When it switches to gasoline, the tank’s volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are expected to increase from 3.3 tons per year to 10.1 tons per year. A contributor to smog, VOCs are associated with irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; breathing difficulty; nausea; and nervous system and organ damage, according to the American Lung Association. According to that same association, VOCs are also emitted by gas and wood stoves, tobacco smoke, and many construction materials, pesticides, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners, among other sources. Per the agreement, Global Partners will pay an initial contribution of $50,000, followed by annual payments of $40,000 (adjusted by 2.5 percent to account for inflation starting in year three). Half of the money will go directly to the city, while the other half will go toward a foundation-managed pool of community-based environmental and health grants, the structure of which is yet to be determined. The sole alder to speak about the agreement on the floor on Tuesday was City Services and Environmental Policy Committee Chair Anna Festa. “City staff reviewed the project, held public meetings, visited the facility, studied possible health impacts, and negotiated with Global Partners,” she said. She noted that “the agreement also requires environmental monitoring, reporting, community communication, and continued involvement with affected neighborhoods.” According to City Sustainability Director Steve Winter, the agreement will next go to the mayor for a signature before being submitted to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for review. Read more coverage of the agreement, including how the monetary value was reached, what the funding might support, and the company’s pitch during a community input session. The post Alders Approve Pollution-Compensation Agreement appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less