Wise County Site Chosen For Final Evaluation
Of Future Clean Coal Power Station In Virginia
Dominion Proposes Circulating Fluidized Bed
Technology for Project
LEBANON, Va. – Dominion (NYSE: D), one
of the nation’s largest energy producers, Virginia State Sen. William
Wampler of Bristol and Southwest Virginia officials announced Thursday that
a reclaimed surface coal mine site in Wise County has been chosen for final
evaluation for a clean coal power station.
The selection of the Virginia
City site near St. Paul, Va., is consistent with a 2004 Virginia General
Assembly initiative, which Wampler sponsored, encouraging the development of
a coal power station in Southwest Virginia to provide energy for Virginians.
A consortium of energy companies, led by Dominion, studied several sites before
selecting the Wise County location for further evaluation.
"This announcement today is good news for
Southwest Virginia and — more importantly — for all families and
businesses in the Commonwealth," said Wampler, R-Bristol. "I want
to thank Dominion for its commitment to our state and this region when it comes
to providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable electricity for all our citizens."
The Virginia City site meets the major
criteria for the project to proceed, including an adequate fuel and water
supply, electrical transmission requirements, construction logistics and
minimal environmental impact.
Environmental permits and regulatory approvals
over the next few years, including those from the Virginia Department
of Environmental Quality and the State Corporation Commission, must be
obtained after additional evaluations are completed before the decision
to proceed is made.
The Virginia City site is in Wise County,
near St. Paul, Va. (click
to enlarge)
"I am very pleased by Dominion’s selection
of a site for the future development of a new clean-coal power generation plant
in Wise County," said U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon. "I will
work with Dominion to ensure all federal regulatory requirements are resolved
as expeditiously as possible."
Charles S. Yates, executive director of the Virginia
Coalfield Economic Development Authority, said, "A major component of our
economic development philosophy is to add value to our natural resources before
they leave the region. This project will do that, as well as create a significant
number of jobs and a substantial investment in the local economy."
Joining Dominion in the consortium are the Blue
Ridge Power Agency; Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power; the
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative; and Virginia Municipal Electric Association
#1.
"Dominion and its partners are very appreciative
for the cooperation of VCEDA and local government officials, regional and state
economic development experts who have assisted us," said James K. Martin,
Dominion vice president-Fossil & Hydro Technical Services.
If constructed, the power station would use Virginia
coal in advanced circulating
fluidized bed technology. This proven clean-coal technology also enables
the using of waste coal and renewable energy sources, such as wood waste.
CFB technology combined with modern post-combustion
controls has low emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter
and mercury. This technology is compatible with the need to be able to use a
wide variety of fuels available in the region and compatible with the requirement
to construct and operate a facility in an environmentally responsible manner
that minimizes overall impact to air, water and land resources.
"Virginia City scores highest on site assessment
criteria, and CFB technology offers environmental performance and fuel flexibility,
creating the best combination of location and generating technology," said
Martin.
The 500-600 megawatt project would create 800
jobs during construction as well as 75 at the station and 250 mining jobs once
the station is operating. It would also add significantly to local tax revenue
and be a boost to the local economy — all while providing clean, reliable
and economic electricity for Virginia families and businesses.
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority
was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify
the economic base of the seven-county, one-city coal-producing area of the Commonwealth.
Southwestern Virginia counties — Lee, Wise, Scott, Buchanan, Russell,
Tazewell and Dickenson — and the City of Norton comprise the region. Touting
a strong work ethic, tailored training programs, a ready workforce, industrial
and technology parks, and available buildings, VCEDA promotes this region-in-transition
to businesses looking for a new home or expansion site.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers
of energy, with an energy portfolio of about 28,100 megawatts of electric generation,
about 6.3 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves and
7,800 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline. Dominion also operates the
nation's largest underground natural gas storage system with more than 950 billion
cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in nine states.
For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.
# # #
NOTE: View a related presentation.
(PDF - 2.15 mb) (Powerpoint
- 3.80 mb)
CONTACTS:
Media inquiries:
David
Botkins, Dominion, (804) 771-6115
Charles S. Yates, VCEDA, (276) 889-0381
