SCOTTSVILLE, Va.—A proposed natural gas power plant in rural Fluvanna County, Virginia, reveals efforts to accelerate electricity sources onto the grid. The project is part of a multi-state initiative by PJM Interconnection, which operates the regional grid. Most projects in this initiative, including Tenaska Energy’s proposal, are labeled “shovel-ready, high-reliability” and are prioritized in the queue to meet increasing demand from data centers.
Local approval is also required for power plants. Tenaska’s plan has supporters but faces concerns from residents about health impacts, noise, and transparency. Recently, the Fluvanna County Planning Commission postponed their decision on whether the 1.5-gigawatt plant aligns with the county’s comprehensive plan until November, with a special-use permit vote scheduled for January.
The company aims to construct the plant next to its existing Tenaska Virginia Generating Station in Fluvanna. Amber Kidd, a local resident, supports the proposal, citing her family’s work experience at the current plant without safety issues.
In Fluvanna County, which has about 30,000 residents, support for fossil fuels isn’t unanimous. Resident Lauren Banning expressed concern over potential toxic emissions outweighing any minor tax benefits or job creation.
The Proposal
The $2.2 billion project, named the Expedition Generating Station, is expected to be operational by 2031, pending permits. It would occupy 50 acres next to Tenaska’s 1-gigawatt plant that began operations in 2004. Tenaska representative Timberly Ross mentioned that the delay in the planning commission’s decision pushes the timeline back but reiterated their commitment to the project.
Tenaska claims the new plant could power up to 1.5 million homes. It is part of PJM’s Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI), which prioritizes certain projects to meet the growing energy demands, mainly from data centers. Critics, however, argue this approach disadvantages renewable projects in the queue.
Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest utility, plans both gas and renewable projects to meet demand. As an independent producer, Tenaska would sell power from Expedition via the regional grid or to Dominion through an agreement. The Virginia Clean Economy Act, which aims to decarbonize by 2050, does not apply to Tenaska, allowing them flexibility regarding the plant’s necessity and decommissioning.
Fluvanna County recently passed an ordinance restricting solar development, steering Tenaska to pursue the gas plant option.
Questions About Air Pollution, Noise
Tenaska has yet to reveal the expected pollution levels from the new plant and hasn’t detailed existing emissions. During planning meetings, they referenced projections from before their current plant was built, claiming low pollution rates.
Local attorney Josephus Allmond cited a 2012 report documenting a 30% increase in lung cancer rates post-plant construction, raising concerns about the new facility’s potential impact.
Residents have pressed the company for actual emissions data, which Tenaska plans to release later during the state’s permitting process. On its website, Tenaska refutes claims linking the plant to cancer rates as unfounded and maintains adherence to federal air standards.
Noise is another concern; local leader Chris Fairchild noted the existing plant is audible from his winery. Tenaska claims the plant’s positives, such as air quality compliance and economic contributions, outweigh the concerns.
Sharon Harris, opposing the project, aims to educate locals about renewable energy alternatives, emphasizing solar’s cost-effectiveness, despite ongoing misconceptions in the community.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org