Letter to the Editor: Opposes power plants in Charles City

By Community Member | September 17, 2019 5:27 pm

I was one of nine Charles City residents that attended the tour of the Dominion Energy plants in Brunswick. The proposed Chickahominy Power Plant and the C4GT Power Plant are not owned or operated by Dominion Energy. They are privately owned, and we do not know who will manage these plants.

Upon arriving, what I saw was an overwhelming, enormous, and overpowering structures. What I heard was very loud, and while the grounds were cleaned, I was told they must remain clean. The Dominion presenter, while the staff was courteous, said that there were no jobs filled by Greensville and Brunswick County residents.

While Dominion Energy said they were phasing out the use of fossil fuels, their website states, “As one of the nation’s leading solar operators, the company intends to reduce its carbon intensity 50 percent by 2030.” This will be in ten years! What happens when two Charles City County power plants are no longer profitable for its owners? What are we leaving our children? They are the future of Charles City and what will they do with two gas plants that have been abandoned?

As to the benefit from the Chickahominy Power Plants, Dominion Energy provided Greensville County with nearly three miles of upgraded roads to support heavy material deliveries and craft support population. They also developed a relationship with Southside Virginia College to develop and implement a welding training program. According to the performance agreement between Charles City, Chickahominy Power LLC, and the Economic Development Authority, there seems to be very little incentive for Charles City.

I am not clear how two power plants will help “emission reductions in Virginia” or how it relates to Charles City. My question is will the developer of Chickahominy Gas Power Plant provide anything similar to what Dominion Energy provided to Greensville.

I am not in support of the power plants. I believe Charles City has many alternatives to bring businesses that do not jeopardize the health of citizens in the county or surrounding areas.

Wanda Roberts
Charles City