Energy debates divide localities: Gas plant controversy in Chesterfield and solar farm proposal in Richmond

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — In a region grappling with the challenge of meeting energy demands while preserving natural resources, two communities find themselves at opposite ends of a debate on energy development.

Chesterfield: Battle Over Gas Plant

Protesters gathered once again in Chesterfield County for the monthly Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, as tensions continue to rise over Dominion Energy’s plans to construct a new gas plant, the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center .

The controversy centers on zoning permits for the Chesterfield Power Station , a retired coal plant which Dominion Energy claims already has the necessary approvals for new developments.

Today, Friends of Chesterfield , a community-based group, filed a Request for Written Zoning Determination, which, if approved, would require Dominion to appear before a hearing in front of the county’s planning commission and Board of Supervisors.

However, opponents argue that building a gas plant requires a fresh evaluation , emphasizing the potential environmental impact and the community’s right to a transparent process.

Dominion Energy still has to decide if they want the gas plant at the Chesterfield Power Station or the James River Industrial Park, which was the site initially proposed a year ago. A spokesperson for the company told 8News this second site was proposed after it was suggested by multiple members of the community.

The energy company has discussed building the 1,000-megawatt methane-gas power plant first near battery Brooke Parkway and then near the Dutch Gap Conservation area, close to Coxendale road. Both locations are near the James River and surround several residential neighborhoods.

Two of the coal units at the plant were retired in 2019, two more in 2023.

Dominion would not be required to get a new permit to build the new gas plant on the retired coal plant because one already exists for the land. But by submitting this request, Friends of Chesterfield is challenging that.

Glen Besa, the chair of Friends of Chesterfield, expressed his concerns and spoke to 8News about why they are so adamant about pushing back.

“If they want to build a new gas plant, they got to go through the process again. They can’t rely on a decision that was made 14 years ago,” Besa said. “Zoning from 2010 does not give them the right to build a gas plant now.”

Friends of Chesterfield issued the following statement after filing the request:

Allowing Dominion to build its proposed CERC under the Chesterfield Power Station’s [2010] conditional use approval would deprive Chesterfield County residents of the opportunities for public involvement afforded by the conditional use permitting process. The conditional use process includes the applicant’s submission of supporting documents that would help to inform the public about the proposed project, notices to adjacent property owners and the local community, public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, and a right to appeal the Board of Supervisors’ decision. Allowing Dominion to bypass this process would be unlawful and would deprive the residents of Chesterfield County of their right to participate in significant county zoning decisions.”

Friends of Chesterfield

In response, Dominion Energy spokesperson Jeremy Slayton defended the company’s position.

“We’ve reached out to the county and as part of that process, they’ve confirmed through what’s called a zoning confirmation letter that power generation facilities are an approved use of Chesterfield power station property,” Slayton said. “We take our responsibility of providing reliable power to our customers very seriously and that’s why this project is vitally important to the reliability of the grid that serves 2.7 million customers.”

Despite these assurances, community members continue to demand a thorough review process, underscoring the ongoing struggle between sufficient energy generation and environmental concerns in Chesterfield.

The company will also need an air permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission before construction can start.

Richmond: Embracing Solar Energy

Meanwhile, in Richmond, a starkly different energy initiative is taking shape, with community support. Residents gathered Wednesday to discuss the city’s proposal to transform an old landfill into a solar farm, marking Richmond’s first venture into large-scale solar energy infrastructure.

Laura Thomas, Director of Richmond Office of Sustainability, expressed optimism about the proposed project.

“This would actually be the first solar farm in the city of Richmond, we’ve never done a project like this,” Thomas said. “So, we’re very excited to see how the community wants us to move forward.”

The proposal has garnered enthusiastic support from community members eager to embrace renewable energy solutions.

The juxtaposition of these two projects highlights the ongoing national debate over energy development strategies. While Richmond explores innovative renewable energy solutions, Chesterfield wrestles with the environmental impacts of expanding traditional fossil fuel infrastructure.

Dominion Energy has yet to finalize the location of its proposed gas plant. Whether at the Chesterfield Power Station or the James River Industrial Park, a delay in construction is likely regardless of the chosen site.

8News reached out to the Chesterfield County Board of Zoning Appeal for comment, but they provided none.

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