Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 16, 1991 TAG: 9103160167
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The State Air Pollution Control Board voted 3-0 to approve a permit for the $1 billion project, which has been opposed by environmentalists worried it will increase pollution that is damaging Shenandoah National Park and national forest land.
Board members seemed to be swayed by a promise that Virginia Power would offset pollution at the proposed 786-megawatt plant by reducing emissions at its Mount Storm, W.Va., plant - which is closer to the park - and a Yorktown plant.
Wallace Reed, the board chairman, thanked the utility for volunteering to reduce emissions.
"People will be able to breathe easier with this kind of help," Reed said.
But over Reed's objections, the board did amend the permit to toughen requirements on Virginia Power and its project partner, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.
The amendment requires the utilities to reduce pollution at other plants even further if federal agencies prove within six months that the Halifax County project would harm Shenandoah National Park or Jefferson National Forest.
"It adds uncertainty to the project," said John Ahladas, a senior vice president for Virginia Power. "We're going to have to assess those conditions."
The same condition was attached to a permit approved Thursday for a 76-megawatt wood- and coal-burning plant proposed in Pittsylvania County by Multitrade Limited Partnership.
The board's staff had recommended that both power-plant projects be approved. They said they could not prove the plants would further damage the park or forest without a more exact computer model from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Halifax permit must be reviewed by the EPA before the utilities can break ground on the plant they hope to open in 1994.
Shenandoah National Park has been harmed by acid rain that has polluted streams, and air pollution that has diminished scenic views. Air-board staffers said the pollution is primarily caused by plants in other states. They said a multistate effort is needed to reduce pollution in the park.
Supporters of the Halifax plant have argued that it would provide an economic boost to the rural, southern Virginia county. It would generate up to $3.7 million in property taxes a year.
Virginia Power and Old Dominion would share equally in power produced by the plant. Virginia Power serves 1.7 million customers in Virginia and North Carolina while Old Dominion supplies 300,000 customers in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.
by CNB