Bridgeport sees new era with fuel cell plant

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Bridgeport is about to become the site of the largest fuel cell power plant in North America.

FuelCell Energy Inc. in Danbury will build, operate and maintain the plant under contract to Dominion Resources Inc. The plant is set to open late next year or in early 2014, producing 14.9 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 15,000 homes.

The plant will use a process that converts natural gas into electricity and will sell power to Connecticut Light & Power.

James Eck, vice president of business development at Dominion, says energy produced by fuel cells is poised to grow in the United States.

Andy Pusateri, an analyst at Edward Jones, says the plant helps Dominion increase its green power portfolio but won't make a big difference to shareholders.