The state’s Site Evaluation Committee will hold a public hearing on May 7 about Sea-3 Inc.’s plan to expand its liquid propane operation at its Shattuck Way facility in Newington. The hearing will start at 6 p.m. at Newington Town Hall, located at 205 Nimble Hill Road.
Sea-3 is seeking an exemption from the state to build five new rail unloading berths, three 90,000-gallon storage tanks, and other facilities for storing and transporting liquid propane.
The project has been under consideration since 2014. In May of that year, Newington’s planning board approved the proposed expansion. Portsmouth officials appealed that ruling, first with Newington’s zoning board and later with the Rockingham County Superior Court.
During meetings, local residents have raised concerns about the expansion, particularly about the condition of the railroad tracks, which are maintained and owned by Pan Am Railways. Residents are also concerned that the increased rail traffic could lead to more accidents.
Portsmouth maintains a website about the project at cityofportsmouth .com/Sea-3.html. The Site Evaluation Committee has collected documents related to the project at nhsec.nh.gov/projects/2015-01/index.htm. — Larry Clow