"Virginia is for Lovers (of the Truth)"

Officials in Virginia aren't buying what the utility, Dominion, and their regulators (i.e. their version of DHEC) are telling them about a coal plant proposal in their state.

We need smart government official like Virginia's Mr. Moore to stand up in our state and demand that DHEC and Santee Cooper justify this dirty coal plant proposal.

We can't take Santee Cooper/DHEC's word for it that this plant will use the cleanest technology available (it won't), that other options won't work (they will), that this plant is good for the economy (it isn't), etc., etc.

Our state officials need to stand up and make Santee Cooper and DHEC prove these claims (they can't).

From the Sun News:

Virginia air officials not satisfied with Dominion proposal
By SUE LINDSEY
Associated Press Writer

Virginia officials decided Friday to explore whether Dominion Virginia Power can reduce air pollution at its plant proposed in southwest Virginia by using different technology or by burning another type of coal.

The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board voted Friday in Alexandria to seek more information from the state Department of Environmental Quality, the utility and the public about other options for the plant proposed for Wise County.

The decision came after board member Hullihen Moore said he was dissatisfied with Dominion's presentation explaining why its plan for the plant was the best option, DEQ spokesman Bill Hayden said. The utility plans to burn coal produced in southwest Virginia, including waste coal, and wood products.

Don Shepherd, a National Park Service environmental engineer, told the board that use of a coal-gasification process would result in lower emissions at the plant and better protect the environment, Hayden said.

A draft DEQ permit would allow the plant to emit 5.3 million tons of carbon dioxide and 12,500 tons of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide into the air every year.

A Park Service spokeswoman did not immediately return a telephone message left by The Associated Press. U.S. Forest Service officials earlier expressed concern about air pollution reaching federal wilderness areas in western North Carolina.

The air board's role is to gather information and provide guidance to DEQ, but Hayden said the body could decide itself whether it will issue a permit for the plant.

The DEQ has scheduled a hearing Feb. 11 in St. Paul on the proposal, and Hayden said the agency has extended it to Feb. 12 as well to take public comment.

A coalition of environmental groups asked the agency also to hold hearings in Richmond, Hampton Roads and northern Virginia, but Hayden said no decision has been made on that request.

The opponents also asked DEQ to extend the Feb. 26 deadline for public comment on the air emissions by 90 to 120 days. Hayden said the deadline will be Feb. 27 because of the second hearing, but no decision had been made on a further extension.

Don't forget to check out the folks fighting this coal plant in Virginia, and the local VA Sierra Club recently released a report showing how that state could meet its energy needs and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using clean energy.