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

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.

 

Since filing applications to rezone a 90-acre tract located southeast of Leesburg Airport and north of the Dulles Greenway from the TR-10 Transition Residential zoning category to the MR-HI Mineral Resource-Heavy Industrial category in late July, the project has been undergoing review by a variety of county and state agencies. The property is crossed by two interstate natural gas pipelines that will be the primary source of fuel for the power plant. The developers also plan a significant solar energy component. The application could be ready for a county Planning Commission public hearing as early as next month.

The project is proposed by Green Energy Partners/Stonewall Andrews Community Investment Corp., the Hamilton-based partnership led by the father and son team of Jack and John Andrews.

John Andrews said the preliminary review comments received so far are "pretty fair and objective."

He says the intent of the plant is to promote energy independence for Loudoun. While the natural gas and solar power would represent an environmentally friendly green alternative to coal generation, Andrews says the project could be green in other ways as well, with both the town and the county likely to gain revenues from the project. Purchasing some five million gallons per day of treated effluent from the town could provide $1 million annually for the town's utility system and county taxes could range between $8 million and $12 million.

It is the proposed water purchase that is sparking cautious optimism on the part of members of the Leesburg Town Council. As planned, the treated water would be used to cool the plant and to produce steam. The plant is designed to use highly efficient gas combustion turbine generators and a steam turbine generator to produce the power.

Approximately two-thirds of the 981-megawatt total would be produced for base load operation and one-third for use during periods of peak demand. Andrews proposes to sell the generated electricity to Dominion Virginia Power and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperation, the two utilities that currently provide power to the county. In addition to the natural gas lines, Dominion Virginia Power high-voltage transmission lines also cross the property.

Unlike two previous efforts to build gas-fired power plants in the Leesburg area during the past two decades, the project does not require diesel for use as a backup fuel source. In those earlier proposals, pollution from burning oil and the potential for contamination from on-site fuel storage sparked strong objections from area residents and government leaders.

Andrews has been watching efforts by Loudoun residents to fight the construction of new power lines through their communities, lines that power companies say are critical to preventing power shortages as the region grows. That is not a concern with Andrews' project. 

"The lines are already there, we don't need to import electricity. This will meet our needs now and into the future," Andrews said. "Our project will go a long way to solving Loudoun's needs ... It's important to put the project where the users are."

The plant will have a much lower physical profile than the earlier power plant proposals, with exhaust stacks and support structures built lower than the existing high-voltage utility lines and towers. The complex will consist of the pipeline, turbines and an administration building.

Andrews said it would not be visible from residential areas of Leesburg. Balloons launched in July and again this week to show the height of the facility indicated the plant would be slightly visible from three areas: the county fire and rescue training center off Sycolin Road; Sycolin Bridge over the Dulles Greenway; and the highest point on Gant Road near Cochran Mill Road. The balloons should be up through Friday.

"We're being very careful about visibility," Andrews said.

The plant aims to establish the largest solar generation facility in Virginia. Andrews, a former chairman of the county School Board, foresees a myriad of education opportunities for Loudoun's students.

Air quality studies done by MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc., of Herndon, showed the proposed pollution control operations would exceed the air emission limitations set by the Environmental Protection Agency following the Clean Air Act of 1970.

"This will be the cleanest producer of power and will meet or exceed the standards even in southern California, which has the most stringent air quality in the country," Andrews said.

The economic returns to the county would also be extensive. Studies done for the project show a generation of 1,200 jobs in the early stages of construction, declining to 25 jobs when fully operational. "It's a huge economic driver," Andrews said.

The innovative element lies in putting all the components together, and in not using diesel, according to Andrews, who said he and project manager Jordan Dimoff have not found a similar model anywhere else.

Andrews and Dimoff have talked with the town's water and sewer staff to see if the systems would be compatible. "I think we're there," Andrews said, noting Leesburg utility staff members have been favorable to the idea of the income and the environmental approach that will not impact the Chesapeake Bay.

From the town's point of view, it would gain a monthly check from the purchase, which could translate into savings for utility customers. Andrews is working with Town Manager John Wells on a tentative memorandum of understanding as to the annual fee, which could be in the neighborhood of $1 million per annum.

That point was not lost on members of the Town Council. Initial reaction from council members who have been approached informally by Andrews was favorable, although most were waiting for more detailed studies and information before taking a definitive position. Andrews will meet with the Town Council formally to seek its preliminary support.

Mayor Kristen Umstattd was one who was waiting to see detailed studies. She told Andrews she thought a major hurdle with the public would be concerns over increased pollution in the region, which she shared, and it would be important to see what level of permitted pollutant production he was pursuing in his application to the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Until she saw the pollution control details, Umstattd said she was "leery" of voting for something that could allow an additional pollution source in the region.

If, however, the plant truly would be green and did not add to the region's non-compliance problem, "then I think the idea of selling treated effluent to John's complex is something that the town could consider," she said.

Councilman Marty Martinez said, "I like the idea of using them as a customer."

The town needs to find new customers and different ways to increase revenues, rather than raising rates, Martinez said.

Councilman Kevin Wright also saw possibilities for the town. "I think it's definitely different than what we've seen before. It's an interesting concept and worthy of further consideration and thought." The income also could reduce the strain of capital outlay on the town's sewer system, he said.

Kurtz noted that nationally governments are looking for local generating power sources. "It seems to me to be in the right location, surrounded by a quarry and Loudoun Water; natural gas pipelines and hooking up to effluent from a government body," she said.

As yet, financing methods have not been decided.

"We believe strongly in this," Andrews said, estimating the final cost could come out at more than $830 million. The company is in discussions with public and private enterprises, but does not plan to move forward until it gets regulatory approval.

"We'll weigh our options after we get the permits," Andrews said.

The company plans to meet with interested individuals and community groups as the project continues through the review process. Those seeking more information can go to www.loudounpower.com.