Published: July 03, 2008 02:20 pm      

Hybrid Energy Center — Project could showcase clean-coal technology

A proposed $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant approved for Southwest Virginia could serve as a proving ground for a new generation of clean-coal technology.

The recent 5-0 decision by Virginia’s Air Pollution Board to award conditional approval to Dominion Virginia Power to develop the proposed Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center project in Wise is being hailed by political and educational leaders across Southwest Virginia.

While the project has understandably generated a degree of controversy and concern, the development has the potential to serve as showcase for a new generation of clean-coal technology.

Southwest Virginia needs the jobs, Virginia needs the energy and the U.S., needs the technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions, according to Dr. Mark Estepp, president of Southwest Virginia Community College. Estepp attended the recent public hearing on the project where he reported that comments were running about 10-1 in favor of the proposed development.

According to Estepp, people on both sides of the issue spoke with passion and compassion.

Estepp said SVCC has developed a Construction Trades Academy to help provide skilled workers to build the plant that is expected to create 800 jobs during the construction phase. The project is also projected to create 250 coal mining jobs, according to an Associated Press report.

State Senator Phillip P. Puckett, D-Russell, has spoken with Dominion Virginia Power officials, and reports the company is examining the requirements for improving the clean-coal technology at the plant.

Puckett said the project is a “win-win situation” for Wise County, Southwest Virginia and the nation. According to Puckett, 51 percent of everything the nation is doing from an energy standpoint comes from coal. That puts Southwest Virginia — and the proposed $1.8 billion plant — in a unique role of national importance.

Puckett said the project will not only bring new and desperately needed jobs to the region, but it will also serve as proving ground for a new generation of clean-coal technology right here in Southwest Virginia. Dominion Virginia Power hopes to have the plant on line by 2012.

With gas prices soaring to new record highs, we as a nation must find new energy sources. Coal is one of our most abundant natural resources, and it is readily available right here in both southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia. The development of new clean coal technology is key to meeting our future energy needs.

The $1.8 billion investment in Southwest Virginia is an important step toward achieving that goal.