Public Support Evident at Recent Hearings

I would like to thank the many citizens of Loudoun County for taking the time to speak earlier this month in favor of our energy plans. During the public hearing in front of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, the local support for our energy plans was significant. 

 

Loudouners presented that the plant’s significant tax revenue and the hundreds of jobs created during construction would be a boon to the local economy. Speakers touted our plans to use natural gas, solar and plan to purchase the Town of Leesburg’s treated wastewater for steam generation. This reuse of effluent improves the quality of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay as it contains nitrates and phosphates, which are currently piped directly into the Potomac River.

 

Some speakers also mentioned our unique location. Our site contains two interstate underground natural gas lines, access to nearby substations and overhead transmission lines. Some argued our location, next to a quarry, and a proposed water treatment plant, in a airport overlay district, bisected by natural gas lines and 140ft eclectic line towers makes the location desirable for industrial uses and undesirable for residential development.

 

A good number of speakers discussed the need to create power locally to reduce the county’s needs to import power through overhead transmission lines. Here’s what one speaker said according to coverage in the Loudoun Times Mirror. 

 

“You want to keep power lines out, then reduce the need for them,” said Tim Powers, of Lovettsville.

 

Another local paper, the Leesburg Today, quoted local environmentalist Malcolm Baldwin.

 

 “This plant qualifies as clean. It won't replace dirty coal, but it moves Loudoun toward reliance on renewable energies."

 

The support of Loudoun’s public has been instrumental to our success. Previously, the Loudoun Planning Commission recommended approval of our plans 8-1 and Loudoun County’s professional staff have also recommended approval. 

 

I would also like to thank the many individuals that wrote emails and letters to the Board of Supervisors in support.

 

All of us can make a difference in the quality of life in our community now and in the future.

John Andrews