The EPA has forced the shutdown of two older coal fire power plants in Yorktown. To meet peak demand Dominion has asked to build transmission lines across the James to connect the nuclear plant at Surry with Newport News.
It would seem the Pilot wants more study because the power lines are seven plus mile from historical Jamestown and may spoil the view. I think it's safe to argue a vast majority of our countries historical infrastructure projects wouldn't be allowed under today’s regulations. Think filling in Boston harbor and dredging for Miami.
First of all, a coal power plant isn't "dirty" just because it's old or clean because it's new. U.S. coal burning power plants are the cleanest in the world regardless of age thanks to companies like 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) and work done by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Steam technology is one of the oldest and a retrofitted steam power plant with scrubbing technology is an amazing way to produce clean power.
Over 90% of our nations electricity comes from coal, natural gas, nuclear or hydro all of which are "bad" because CO2, fracking, radiation and negative environmental impact. Shutting down coal plants primarily because they produce CO2 doesn't make environmental/economic sense until a cleaner alternative is deployed.
Spoiler alert, California is thirsty because of the massive build up of cold ocean water offshore and their unwillingness to build new dams and reservoirs (or keep what they have) to offset the reality Southern California is a semi-arid desert, supporting one tenth of the U.S. population. Don't let Virginia suffer a similar fate, that being rolling blackouts, for our failure to do what is needed.
When Dominion Virginia Power informs us that two coal plants - running 30% of the time - if shut down will require a power line from Surry to cross the James river, we should not scoff at them. We should not complain that transmission lines would mar our historical skyline. We should not demand the cables be buried under the James. We should not editorialize Dominion's predictions of doom are just hype. We should stop whining and accept that 40% of our nations power comes from coal and develop an alternative BEFORE we demand these plants be taken off line.
It would seem the Pilot wants more study because the power lines are seven plus mile from historical Jamestown and may spoil the view. I think it's safe to argue a vast majority of our countries historical infrastructure projects wouldn't be allowed under today’s regulations. Think filling in Boston harbor and dredging for Miami.
First of all, a coal power plant isn't "dirty" just because it's old or clean because it's new. U.S. coal burning power plants are the cleanest in the world regardless of age thanks to companies like 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) and work done by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Steam technology is one of the oldest and a retrofitted steam power plant with scrubbing technology is an amazing way to produce clean power.
Over 90% of our nations electricity comes from coal, natural gas, nuclear or hydro all of which are "bad" because CO2, fracking, radiation and negative environmental impact. Shutting down coal plants primarily because they produce CO2 doesn't make environmental/economic sense until a cleaner alternative is deployed.
Spoiler alert, California is thirsty because of the massive build up of cold ocean water offshore and their unwillingness to build new dams and reservoirs (or keep what they have) to offset the reality Southern California is a semi-arid desert, supporting one tenth of the U.S. population. Don't let Virginia suffer a similar fate, that being rolling blackouts, for our failure to do what is needed.
When Dominion Virginia Power informs us that two coal plants - running 30% of the time - if shut down will require a power line from Surry to cross the James river, we should not scoff at them. We should not complain that transmission lines would mar our historical skyline. We should not demand the cables be buried under the James. We should not editorialize Dominion's predictions of doom are just hype. We should stop whining and accept that 40% of our nations power comes from coal and develop an alternative BEFORE we demand these plants be taken off line.
