Dominion Resources answers questions on power plants

 

Mar 27 - McClatchy-Tribune Business News Formerly Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Debra McCown Bristol Herald Courier, Va.

Dominion Resources officials spoke at length Monday night about clean-coal technology at a planned power plant on the Clinch River, but rebuffed questions on environmental issues.

"What's the plant going to do for us," asked Wise resident T.J. Kilgore during a forum held by Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards at Addington Middle School. "Why do we want it?"

The response from Dominion representative John Ragone: "We're here to give you time about the technology. If you want to talk about anything else, we'll do it another time."

"We don't want debate. We just want answers," Kilgore said.

On the environmental concerns, Ragone said he wanted to make it clear that the plant, which would be built in Virginia City, would be different than the one in nearby Carbo. That plant was named one of the state's top polluters in a report released last week.

"We don't have anything to do with that plant," said Jim Browder with Dominion.

The issue that kept resurfacing was whether the coal used by the plant would be deep-mined or surface-mined.

"Where are they going to get it [the coal] from and what's it going to do to us?" asked Larry Bush, chairman of Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards. "I don't want my grandkids growing up in filth."

Dominion hasn't decided on a fuel strategy, Ragone said.

Several expressed concern that surface mining would cause severe damage to their homes and community.

Dorothy Saye Taulbee said her home in Stonega has been shaken off its foundation by a surface mining operation.

Monday's meeting was one of several held recently to discuss the plant. James Beazley, external affairs representative with Dominion, said most of the response at the earlier meetings was favorable.

Local officials back the plan because it would bring tax revenue and jobs to the area. Dominion officials say it would mean $3.5 million to $4 million in tax revenue per year. As for jobs, it would create more than 1,000 in construction, 250 mining jobs and 75-100 permanent jobs at the plant, according to the company.

Dominion officials hope to start construction in 2008, but still need approval of a number of permits.

dmccown@bristolnews.com -- (276) 791-0701