Advanced Fusion Systems, a technology research company town officials said will create 200 new jobs and spur local business opportunities, is one step closer to relocating to Newtown after receiving Inland Wetlands Commission approval on Wednesday.

The company's land use consultants head to Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday for overall site plan approval.

The company's business representatives, who have not responded to requests for more information about its firm, told a House Committee on Homeland Security last year that its business is in fusion energy research and that one of its subsidiaries has developed technology to protect the electronic power grid from terrorist attack and mishaps. One of its investors who also serves as chief executive officer, William Joyce lives in town.

Officials, particularly members of the Economic Development Commission, have been touting the benefits of having the company relocate to town.

"The location of AFS in Newtown is extremely important to the town," Robert Rau, who heads up the commission, told the wetlands commission during a meeting last month. "More than 200 jobs will be created. AFS will be the largest business in town that pays taxes by a wide margin and they will attract other satellite business that are their suppliers. The EDC urges the commission in both parties to do whatever is required to make it possible for AFS to locate to Newtown."

On Wednesday, in issuing its approval, the wetlands commission asked no questions, and within a matter of minutes, closed the public hearing and issued its approval – in contrast to more controversial projects, such as the Housatonic Railroad Co. proposal where commissioners closed the hearing but delayed issuing a decision.

Commissioners said Advanced Fusion Systems has addressed their concerns about adequately protecting wetlands, which are swaths of land protected under state statute and prized for their promotion of diverse ecological habitats and natural flood control.

"The reason why I felt quite prepared to vote was the response to the mitigation request was very complete and the presentation was particularly clear," said commission member Sharon Salling, who moved for the project's approval.

The 24-acre property at 11 Edmond Road, which sits on the north side of The Boulevard and west of Schoolhouse Hill Road, consists of a 211,282-square-foot office and industrial building, formerly used by Pitney Bowes, and about 196 parking spaces.

Advanced Fusion is seeking approval to construct a 30,800 square-foot building addition, a 20,000 square-foot substation, about 100 new parking spaces and landscape islands

There is wetlands along the western side of the property and on an adjoining eastern parcel as well as a stream along the northern edge parallel to Interstate 84.

To mitigate the plans' impact to the environment, company agreed to remove six proposed new parking spaces along the north of the property and remove pavement in some sections in favor of crushed stone along the eastern side of the proposed addition and western side of the proposed addition and substation.

The project also proposed stormwater system enhancements, such as an underground detention systems, 2-foot wide gravel spreaders and hydrodynamic separators that help reduce pollution.