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Green Energy Partners' Natural Gas and Solar Power Plant Wins Unanimous Approval

Written by Charlie Jackson

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Natural Gas and Solar Power Plant Wins Unanimous Approval

LEESBURG, Va., -- The Loudoun County, Va., Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 20 unanimously approved Green Energy Partners’ proposal to construct an environmentally friendly combined cycle natural gas power plant that includes more than 10 acres of land dedicated to what could be one of Virginia’s largest solar arrays.

The project will provide a clean energy source, fulfilling the region’s needs for new energy. Specifically, Loudoun County’s Board of Supervisors approved a 981 (nominal) megawatt facility, including a 586 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine plant, two 197 megawatt simple cycle peaking power gas turbines, and what would be one of Virginia’s largest photovoltaic solar array. The hybrid facility will use up to 5 million gallons per day of waste water effluent for cooling water. This will eliminate up to approximately 2 billion gallons of effluent per year from being discharged into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. For years, Chesapeake Bay supporters have been working to decrease the amount of effluent that is pumped into the Bay and its tributaries as that practice puts undesirable nitrates and phosphates into our waterways.

“The unanimous vote, and support from the County’s professional staff and other oversight bodies, sends a strong message that Loudoun County intends to be proactive in controlling its energy future,” said John Andrews, managing member of Green Energy Partners. “It is our belief that in order to have clean air and water for future generations that we must take steps to transition to natural gas and renewable generation.”

The proposed plant would be one of the largest infrastructure projects in Virginia, and serve as a stimulus for the local economy, creating 1,205 jobs and $183 million per year in revenues during three years of construction. Once operational, it’s estimated that the facility will generate between $8 and $12 million per year in County real estate and personal property taxes.

With approvals from local, state and federal officials, the proposed power plant will be one of the cleanest facilities of its kind in the United States and will allow Loudoun County to use power generated within its borders for the first time since the county’s inception in 1757.

Local land-use approvals are the first step in bringing this plant to reality. After land-use approvals are granted, Green Energy Partners will work with Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, among many other regulatory agencies. Regulatory approvals are expected to take between 12 and 24 months. Construction of the facility is expected to take up to three years.

“This is the first step, and I believe it’s going to be important for our team moving forward to know that we have the unwavering support of our local community,” Andrews said. “We’ve spent the better part of two years engaging the local community, regional stakeholders, environmental groups and our community leaders. It’s gratifying to know that the entire Loudoun County community believes, as we do, that we must be proactive in our efforts to become more energy independent.”

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Green Plant Moves Closer to Board Vote

Written by Crystal Owens - Loudoun Times-Mirror
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Loudoun County residents for the first time soon could be consuming electricity produced in their own backyard. A plan for the county’s first “green” energy power plant has moved to Loudoun supervisors’ April agenda for discussion and possible approval. The $800 million park southeast of Leesburg Executive Airport would generate electricity by using treated wastewater, natural gas, steam and solar energy. Green Energy Partners, a Hamilton-based business owned by father and son Jack and John Andrews, submitted the application for the 101-acre facility in May 2009. The proposed site already has two natural gas and transmission lines. Green Energy Partners is now in discussions with the Town of Leesburg to purchase its wastewater, which currently is discharged into the Potomac River, John Andrews said. He said the company wants to sell the energy generated by the plant wholesale to utility companies, such as Dominion Virginia Power and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative. Developers have estimated the plant would generate $8 million to $12 million in annual local tax revenue. Supervisors agreed at a March 8 meeting to discuss the plan at an April 6 meeting before voting on it. The majority of residents who spoke March 8 at the meeting argued in favor of the facility. The plant, they said, would benefit the county’s economy and environment and could help to ward off future attempts by Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline to place power transmission lines through Loudoun County. “You want to keep power lines out, then reduce the need for them,” said Tim Powers, of Lovettsville. Those opposed to the plant said it violated the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan, they said, calls for the area to be zoned low-density residential. “It’s been my motto for many years that the board shouldn’t accept applications that do not fit the Comprehensive Plan,” said Gladys Lewis, a former planning commission member. Lewis said the plant also could threaten the fragile Goose Creek watershed nearby. Members of the Piedmont Environmental Council said they supported the plant, but asked that the board amend the Comprehensive Plan to allow for the facility. If supervisors approve the project, developers would need to apply for state and federal permits. Construction of the facility could take two to three years. (This article is also online at the Loudoun Times-Mirror Web site at this link).

"What's Not to Like," About GEP Proposal Says Local Supervisor

Written by Margaret Morton - Leesburg Today
Thursday, September 17, 2009
In these energy conscious days one project that is stirring considerable interest is the planned 981-megawatt hybrid green energy plant southeast of Leesburg, which is undergoing regulatory review for a rezoning. While the project is still weeks away from formal public hearings, reaction to the proposal from local government leaders has so far been positive, with several commenting that the proposal, if it truly meets expectations and is as green as its promoter says, could be a good proposition for Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg. "What's not to like," commented Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin), noting the facility would provide a local source of electrical generation. Likewise, several members of the Leesburg Town Council, from whom the developer proposes to buy treated effluent, saw potential benefits to the utility ratepayers and thought the idea certainly merited further consideration.
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'Green Energy' Plant Proposed In Loudoun

Written by Margaret Morton - Leesburg Today
Friday, February 27, 2009
After meeting for several weeks with leaders from Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg to introduce the concept, proponents of building a power plant south of Leesburg were expected to file a formal application Friday. The Green Energy Partners/Stonewall LLC, led by veteran Loudoun developers John Andrews and his father Jack Andrews, proposes the $800 million, three-turbine plant would be powered by natural gas fed by two interstate lines and steam created by heating wastewater purchased from the Town of Leesburg's treatment plant. "It's the greenest way I believe for Loudoun to solve some of its power problems," John Andrews said in an interview Wednesday.
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'Green' Energy Plant Proposed for Loudoun

Written by Tara Bahrampour - Washington Post
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Wastewater Would Be Used for Steam Loudoun County would be powered by electricity generated in its back yard under a proposal to build an $813 million plant using natural gas, steam and solar energy. Green Energy Partners is proposing to build the facility on [101] acres just east of Leesburg, on property with two existing natural gas lines. To create the steam, the plant would use up to 5 million gallons a day of treated wastewater it would purchase from Leesburg. The treated water is now discharged into the Potomac River.
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Green Energy Partners Announces Plans for $800M Green Hybrid Energy Park

Written by Charlie Jackson
Friday, February 27, 2009
Leesburg, Va, February 27, 2009 – Loudoun County-based Green Energy Partners announced plans today to build an environmentally friendly green energy generating park that will work towards making Loudoun County energy independent. Green Energy Partners has filed a proposal with Loudoun County government to approve an approximately $800 million hybrid energy park that would use treated waste water from the Town of Leesburg sewage treatment plant, clean natural gas and a proposed solar array to secure Loudoun County’s energy independence and provide the region with a green energy alternative.
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Loudoun Power on Twitter

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Wastewater Would Be Used for Steam

The facility is proposed for 80 acres just south of Leesburg, on property with two existing natural gas lines and two existing electric transmission lines. For steam cooling, the plant would use up to 5 million gallons a day of treated wastewater it would purchase from Leesburg. The treated water is now discharged into the Potomac River.

Wastewater Would Be Used for Steam

The Fiscal Impact

The Fiscal Impact Green Energy Partners’ proposal to construct a 981 megawatt energy facility will be a boon to county coffers. It is estimated that this facility will generate approximately $12 million in annual local tax revenue. There won’t be any taxpayer-funded infrastructure needs.

Green Energy Partners' Natural Gas and Solar Power Plant Wins Unanimous Approval

Green Plant Moves Closer to Board Vote

"What's Not to Like," About GEP Proposal Says Local Supervisor

'Green Energy' Plant Proposed In Loudoun

'Green' Energy Plant Proposed for Loudoun

Wastewater Would Be Used for Steam

Green Energy Partners Announces Plans for $800M Green Hybrid Energy Park

Loudoun Power on Twitter

Wastewater Would Be Used for Steam

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Wastewater Would Be Used for Steam

The Fiscal Impact