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On a recent Monday, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hearing attracted a significant turnout of residents and community leaders voicing their opposition to Dominion Energy's proposal for a new gas plant in Chesterfield County. The company seeks a Prevention of Significant Deterioration permit to construct the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center, which would feature four natural gas turbines with a total capacity of approximately 944 megawatts—sufficient to power about 240,000 homes.

In its application, Dominion outlines a substantial investment, estimated at $4.5 billion through 2064, which would translate to an average increase of $1.36 a month in residential bills. The facility is designed to provide consistent backup power, but many speakers at the hearing expressed apprehension over the financial and environmental implications of the project. Senator Ghazala Hashmi, a candidate for lieutenant governor, emphasized that Chesterfield families are opposed to the development, arguing that it would exacerbate costs and pollution when cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives are within reach.

Delegate Mike Jones highlighted the historical health burdens faced by nearby communities due to industrial activities, while Delegate Rodney Willett criticized the proposal as an outdated approach to energy infrastructure. Glen Besa, chair of Friends of Chesterfield, warned that the project would perpetuate reliance on fossil fuels and emissions in an area already impacted by coal operations.

The air permit application submitted by Dominion indicates that the plant could emit over 800 tons of carbon monoxide, 350 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 162 tons of volatile organic compounds annually, as well as hazardous air pollutants, including formaldehyde. The facility is slated for construction on the site of the Chesterfield power station, which recently retired its last coal units. Virginia’s Clean Economy Act mandates a transition to 100% clean energy by 2045, yet Dominion's projections suggest the Chesterfield plant could continue operating until 2064.

Despite the opposition, Dominion maintains that the project would bring economic benefits and reliable power to the growing Chesterfield community. A spokesperson for the company stated that natural gas is a crucial component of their strategy for a balanced energy mix alongside wind and solar. The DEQ plans to hold another public hearing on October 8 to review community feedback before making a final decision on the permit.