Chesterfield community convenes “People’s Hearing” absent a county-held one – Virginia Mercury

CHESTERFIELD Residents Oppose Dominion Energy’s Proposed Gas Plant

About 150 Chesterfield County residents gathered on Tuesday to express their opposition to Dominion Energy Virginia’s proposed gas plant. Dominion claims that the plant is necessary to meet the increasing energy demand in the state.

The People’s Hearing

The Friends of Chesterfield, a group formed to oppose the plant, organized their own “People’s Hearing” in the absence of a public hearing requested from the County Board of Supervisors.

Maria Alvarado, a representative of the Central American Solidarity Association (CASA), spoke out against the planned plant, referring to it as “a ticking time bomb” that poses a threat to the health of residents. She emphasized the long-term health and survival of the community.

Sustained Opposition

This hearing is the latest in a series of protests against Dominion’s 1,000 megawatt natural gas plant proposal. Dominion argues that the plant will provide power during times when solar and wind energy sources are insufficient due to the increasing electricity demands from data center development, vehicle electrification, and everyday use by Virginians.

Earlier this month, environmental and community groups, including the local Sunrise Movement, protested outside Dominion’s building in downtown Richmond and submitted a letter to Dominion’s CEO, Bob Blue, requesting alternative energy sources.

Community and environmental groups have criticized the project since its initial plans were announced. They argue that it contradicts the Virginia Clean Economy Act, a 2020 law that mandates the transition to zero-carbon emitting energy sources by mid-century, unless there are concerns about meeting electricity needs.

Several state legislators expressed opposition to the plant in May, and five delegates attended the People’s Hearing on Tuesday. Del. Rodney Willet and Del. Rae Cousins stated that the plant directly affects residents and goes against the Clean Economy Act.

The proposed plant is located in a community predominantly consisting of minority and low-income residents, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental justice screening and mapping tool.

The critics have requested a public hearing from the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors to gather community input for local approvals. This is a requirement for Dominion to obtain an air permit from the Department of Environmental Quality and a final certificate of public convenience and necessity from the State Corporation Commission.

However, since the proposed location was previously zoned for an electricity generation plant, Chesterfield officials have informed the DEQ that local requirements have been met and no further public action is necessary.

County Supervisor Jessica Schneider expressed her support for the opposition to the gas plant, stating that it goes against the Virginia Clean Economy Act and poses health risks to nearby Black, Brown, and economically disadvantaged communities that have already been exposed to years of coal pollution.

Dominion’s Response

In response to community concerns, Dominion changed the location of the proposed plant to its former coal-fired Chesterfield Power Station. This allows the utility to utilize existing infrastructure and reduce construction costs. Dominion confirmed that the plant will remain part of its future energy mix, which includes more solar, wind, battery storage, and nuclear sources compared to its previous plan. However, the percentage of zero-carbon sources in the plan has decreased from 95% to 80%.

A report from the Southern Environmental Law Center, created in partnership with the Applied Economics Clinic, suggests that clean energy alternatives could meet the 1,000 megawatt energy need without adding harmful air pollutants and at a lower cost.

Dominion expects the Department of Environmental Quality to release a draft air permit by the end of the year. Critics of the plant anticipate Dominion to submit its application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to the State Corporation Commission early next year.

The plant is scheduled to come online in 2029, with the first full year of service projected to be in 2030, producing 944 megawatts of electricity from natural gas.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• SDG 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of renewable energy sources in the energy mix
• Reduction in air pollutants and harmful emissions
• Inclusion of climate change measures in energy planning and decision-making
• Conservation and restoration of ecosystems affected by energy projects

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: virginiamercury.com