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

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Charlie Jackson

518-265-7431 (cell)

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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