Surry Country Coal Fired Power Plant

For almost a year now, there has been great controversy over the proposed $6 billion coal fired power plant to be built by ODEC in Surry County, VA. I am from Williamsburg, which is straight across the James River from Surry. The proposed plant is to be built in Dendron, a town within Surry County, which is less than 20 miles from my home. Just a few weeks ago, the Dendron Town Council accepted revisions to zoning that puts ODEC one step closer to building what will be the largest plant int he state. People all over the region have been protesting the building of this power plant for various reasons - mostly because severe air and water pollution will result from the plant's presence.

Both official and unofficial actors have been involved in this process. Protesters and environmental groups such as the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club have made known their disapproval for this project. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has expressed great concern for how this project will effect the bay, and has even said that the plant is in fact illegal because it violates clean air laws due to the high volumes of pollutants that will be omitted. the Army Corps of Engineers has been involved because the proposed site of the plant is located on protected wetlands, meaning the projects will not be able proceed without the approval of the Army Corps of Engineers. The State Department of Environmental Quality has called for a serious investigation into the proposed plant's environmental impact.

There has been much debate over this new coal fired power plant with strong supporters and strong protesters. It has also been a point of interest for delegates as the elections are just around the corner. Stan Clark's statement shows that he is firmly against the coal plant and supports the health of both people and the environment. He lists the incredible amount of pollutants that will be added to our local air and water including "14.6 million tons of carbon dioxide, 3,600 tons of sulfur, ½ a ton of lead, and 118 pounds of mercury annually”.

I am very much against this coal plant being built as I know it will affect the air quality in Williamsburg, as well as pollute the James River which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay. Williamsburg especially, and Hampton Roads in general, is an area that greatly depends on tourism for economic stability. Tourism could be hurt immensely as high concentrations of pollutants will serve as a push factor.

With an extremely fragile and important ecosystem such as the Chesapeake Bay Watershed on the line, potential harm to the local economies due to decreased tourism, and guaranteed health risks caused by pollution, there really is no argument for the proposed power plant strong enough to offset the negative effects it will incur.