Despite presentation, questions loom about groundwater withdrawal for power plant in Charles City

By Robb Johnson | December 12, 2019 9:03 am

A Dec. 5 presentation on a request to withdraw groundwater for a proposed power plant in Charles City was met with little happiness from some citizens of the county.

The informational session was part of a Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) presentation on the process of obtaining a groundwater withdrawal permit for the Chickahominy Power Plant scheduled to be built.

Scott Kudlas, Director of Water Supply, spoke about physiographical provinces, with all of them having unique geology, rich soils, and water. He said the water that is proposed to be withdrawn by the power plant will come from a certain portion of the Potomac Aquifer. The aquifer lies 260 feet below the surface, with the permit allowing the Chickahominy Power Plant to withdraw approximately 30 million gallons a year, the equivalent of 82,000 gallons a day.

More information about the proposal for the 1,600-megawatt power plant would have the permit issued for 15 years and could not exceed that unless a special permit was granted, which could not exceed an additional 15 years. There is a proposal in the plant’s construction to have two supply wells on the property.

While there was no formal public comment or question and answer period, residents still had concerns about the project, including La’Veesha Rollins.

“This [power plant] will affect our neighboring counties with us feeling most of the wrath,” she said, commenting on the two power plants that are tentative scheduled to come to Charles City. “All the promises about what this is going to bring, but there is no substantial evidence that this will benefit us.

“It’s the same with the landfill 20 years ago and we are in the same position that we were then,” Rollins added. “There is no revenue [coming from this project] that is helping take us to the next level. Charles City is pulling water from the Potomac Aquifer and we are adding more contaminants and once it’s dried up, it’s going to take centuries to repair itself.”

Residents will have the opportunity for public comments. Comments can be submitted between Dec. 26, 2019 to Feb. 14, 2020 to DEQ. There will also be a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. in the Charles City High School auditorium. All comments will be presented to the State Water Board meeting in mid-2020.