By Jim McGaw

In a split 4-3 decision Monday night, the Portsmouth Town Council voted to notify the R.I. Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB) that it opposes imposing a moratorium on new natural gas hookups on Aquidneck Island.

Council President Keith Hamilton, Vice President David Gleason, and members Sharlene Patton and David Reise supported sending the letter, while members Sondra Blank, Mary McDowell, and Juan Carlos Payero voted against it. The letter will be signed by Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. and transmitted to the EFSB as part of its ongoing review of Rhode Island Energy’s (RIE) Aquidneck Island Long-Term Gas Capacity Study.

The council’s letter states bluntly: “The Town of Portsmouth opposes a moratorium on new gas hook-ups on Aquidneck Island, as it is not in the pu

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