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‘Green’ plant moves closer to board vote

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.

Comments

wish i lived in your county, great idea, for residences, should be all around victory for all.

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