Virginia DEQ Must Deny Air Permit for Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Plant, Say Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Southern Environmental Law Center

Groups cite severe public health risks, environmental justice concerns, $88.5 million in annual health costs, and conflict with Virginia’s clean energy goals  

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) joined with the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) to submit formal comments to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on October 23 urging the agency to deny a draft air permit for Dominion Energy’s proposed new fossil fuel power plant in Chesterfield County.  

The organizations argue that the new large-scale fossil fuel-fired power plant poses a grave threat to the health of nearby communities, where existing industry and minority populations create environmental justice concerns. The project threatens clean water, the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and directly undermines the Commonwealth’s commitment to clean energy. 

Dominion plans to construct the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center, a 944-megawatt fossil fuel-fired plant in Chesterfield County. It represents a massive new source of air pollution for a community already overburdened by industrial facilities and associated harmful emissions. 

The proposed facility would emit pollutants including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). There is no safe level of exposure to PM2.5, which is linked to premature death, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health conditions. 

An expert health analysis projects that CERC’s pollution could cause an average of 6.7 premature deaths and more than 14,600 illnesses every year in the region. The annual health costs from these emissions are estimated at $88.5 million, a financial burden that would be borne by surrounding communities. 

While the State Corporation Commission is currently deliberating Dominion’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Dominion must also still obtain an air permit from DEQ. The DEQ has independent authority to deny the permit and prevent construction.  

At a September 23 hearing, CBF and partners presented evidence that CERC is both unnecessary for energy demands and a direct threat to public health and the environment. 

Taylor Lilley, Environmental Justice Staff Attorney with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, issued the following statement: 

“Independent expert analyses have shown the scope and cost of the health and environmental dangers that the community will face should this project move forward. DEQ should weigh these serious risks to both the public and the environment. Building this facility would only compound the burden borne by communities that have suffered from exposure to harmful emissions for generations.”  

“Dominion has attempted to downplay the impacts of this proposal—a danger to the community’s right to breathe clean air and secure a healthy future—by relying on flawed analysis. CBF will continue to advocate for clean energy solutions that meet Virginia’s energy needs without sacrificing the health of its communities or the environment.”