RICHMOND - The battle lines were clearly drawn on plans to build the Dominion Virginia Power Brunswick County Power Plant. The State Corporation Commission began hearings on Dominion Virginia Power's application for the project on Wednesday, April 24 and supporters of the project and groups that oppose the project packed the courtroom. The courtroom could not accommodate the crowd so an auxiliary room was used and proceedings were transmitted via video. The SCC is not expected to make a decision on the application until the fall. Supporters of the påroject say that it will create jobs, increase the counties tax revenue, produce new economic development opportunities and provide clean reliable electricity to customers in the state. Opposition to the project centers around the process to remove the natural gas from the earth called fracking and support for more solar and wind facilities.

Earlier County Administrator Charlette Woolridge said if approved by the SCC, Dominion's proposed $1.1 billion Brunswick County Power Station would be built on a 200 acre tract off of U. S. Route 58 about seven miles east of Lawrenceville. At the peak of construction, more than 600 workers will be on site. When completed in 2016 the station would have more than 30 employees. The station would be fueled by natural gas and provide enough electricity for about 325,000 homes. Annual tax payments for the station to the county would be up to $4 million a year.

Woolridge said the Brunswick County IDA began working with Dominion the beginning of 2011, as the company was looking at sites for a power plant to be operational in 2016.

The public was allowed to make comments about the project when the hearing was opened.

Senator Frank Ruff asked the SCC to grant the necessary approvals for the project. He called attention to the need to promote manufacturing and economic development and further stated that having natural gas in the area would open the door and promote economic development. Ruff said Mecklenburg and Halifax counties to the west and Greensville County to the east would benefit from the project.

Ruff said the benefits of providing natural gas are similar to the advantages of having broadband helping to enhance economic viability. He said the project would provide round the clock electricity. Ruff said the unemployment rate in the area is approximately two times the state average, another example of the need for the project to be approved.

Delegate Roslyn Tyler expressed support for the Brunswick County Power Plant calling it the most significant investment in Brunswick County history, creating hundreds of construction jobs and an increase in tax revenue to the locality. She said Dominion Virginia Power held an Expo recently to educate the public about the project and recruit qualified persons for employment. Tyler said the project will not only be a significant benefit to Brunswick County but to the entire state as well.

"This facility will provide clean energy around the clock. So many of our citizens will benefit from this project. It will create jobs and economic benefits. In my judgment moving ahead with the project is the right decision," Tyler said.

Supervisor Denise Williams said she represented the Sturgeon District on the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors. She said there is great support for the project from the entire community. Williams said there will be many benefits to Brunswick County and to Southside Virginia.

Williams said the investments from the project will help fund county schools and public safety to citizens. She said the area has been hit hard by the recession making it difficult to provide the services citizens expect and demand. Williams called attention to the high unemployment rate. She said strong schools can provide a solid foundation and the project will benefit public education. Williams urged the commission to approve this much needed project.

from the Brunswick Times-Gazette - by Sylvia Allen, Editor