Plug pulled on proposed power plant in Charles City

A company that had plans to bring a power plant to Charles City County has now pulled out after multiple obstacles thwarted their efforts.

Balico announced this past weekend that plans fell through for the creation of the Chickahominy Power Plant. Citing opposition from environmental groups and permit rejections, representatives said in a press release while they thanked all parties for their considerations but will now look to build it in another location.

Talks between the county and Balico began in 2016. But when citizens found out about the plans, many came out in full force against it. Specifically leading the charge was the group Concerned Citizens of Charles City County (C5). The organization presented information that focused on concerns over environmental and air quality factors.

In 2019, a town hall held by county leaders saw Balico representative Jeff Freeman address the concerns. Freeman testified that the best technology was in place and that the company was ready to invest the $1.4 billion project into the county. In turn, Balico would have provided 40 full-time jobs and produced around $3 million in annual revenue each year for the county.

Citizens turned to County Administrator Michelle Johnson, asking about emergency situations and the effects if an accident took place. Johnson responded saying that the plant had technology to minimize hazardous situations, but also added that the county had a policy in place for emergency evacuation and services.

But one of the main hiccups faced by Balico at the 2019 meeting were questions about the environment. Ranging from the quality of water to what the county was doing to protect citizens and not their assets, both the company and supervisors heard a lot of information.

One thing that also hurt Balico was communication between the citizens and the company. That trend continued at a meeting in Jan. 2020 where environmentalists commented the numerous violations from pipelines had violations. Coupled with the fact that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) could not release information due to privacy laws, communication and breakdowns continued to take place.

The next couple of years were battles as citizens opposing the Chickahominy Power Plant turned out to every meeting that required the company to get permits. With the project going into year six and little traction gained, Balico finally bowed out in their battle for the plant.

“That project will no longer come to fruition,” said District 2 Supervisor Bill Coada at the Feb. 23 meeting this year, pointing to Balico’s inability to meet deadlines and numerous delays from the SCC (State Corporation Commission.)

C4GT, a second company that had planned to also construct a power plant in the county, saw plans officially fall through after 88 acres of land revert back to the county after they failed to break ground in 2021.