Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center

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Myths and Facts

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Q: The Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center (VCHEC) was originally going to be permitted to emit 72 pounds of mercury each year. Why was it was changed to 49 pounds/year in March/April 2008?

A: In February 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia threw out key rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency on the regulation of mercury emission from power facilities. Instead of waiting for the EPA to institute new mercury rules later this year, Dominion took a proactive initiative and applied for a case-by-case mercury permit under the former rules. The 49 pounds/year number is based on the case-by-case permit application.

Dominion also announced that it would install an Activated Carbon Injection equipment to control mercury emitted from the power station. This was done so that there would be no question that Dominion is controlling mercury to the maximum extent possible.

Q: Dominion's Clover Power Station in Halifax County emits 17 pounds of mercury each year. Why is Virginia City planning to emit more?

A: While Clover Power Station is emitting 17 pounds each year, it is PERMITTED to emit 1,000 pounds a year. Virginia City will be PERMITTED to emit 49 pounds of mercury a year. The actual emissions from Virginia City will be less than that and, based on the results at Clover, one could imagine that the VCHEC levels will be lower. However, until the facility is running, we can't correctly guess what our mercury levels will be. Also, please know that both the previous mercury permitted level of 72 pounds/year and the new permitted level of 49 pounds/year meet state and federal requirements, and are at safe, acceptable levels to human health and the environment.

Q: Is it true that a power station in Pennsylvania that uses waste coal only emits 2 pounds of mercury a year?

A: That is correct. However, that waste coal power station also emits 5 times more sulfur dioxide a year compared to the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center.

Q: Why can't renewable and energy conservation programs meet all of Virginia's future energy needs?

A: Renewable energy — such as wind turbines — and energy conservation will play a role in meeting the growing demand for electricity from our customers. Dominion Virginia Power has announced four major wind turbine projects in the past few months, plus nine energy conservation pilot programs. In a relationship with The Home Depot, our customers have purchased more than 1.1 million compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy than old incandescent bulbs. We know that renewable energy and conservation must play a role in meeting future demand.

However, Dominion is adding about 50,000 electric customers each year. Those new customers and our existing ones — now more than 2.4 million — are expected to demand 4,000 megawatts of new capacity from us over the next decade. That is the equivalent of adding more than 1 million new homes to our customer base. We must also build advanced technology power stations, such as Virginia City. Diversification of energy is the most viable approach to meet our customers' growing demand for energy at reasonable costs -- and that approach includes the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, renewables and conservation programs.