Virginia

VIRGINIA: Dominion Means Stewardship, Not Destruction

Our Time in Wise, VA - Dispatch from Allison
I had the privilege to join 10 faith leaders from Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth in a delegation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims attending the Air Pollution Control Board hearing on June 24 in Wise, VA. Members of this faith delegation testified against Dominion Power’s proposed coal-fired power plant. During our time in Wise, we viewed the sin of mountain top removal, hiked through one of the most bio-diverse wonders of God’s creation, and broke bread and listened to music with 75 other citizens from Wise and all over the state. In the morning, we joined in a prayer circle lead by SAMS President Pete Ramsey, where he prayed for us and Dominion Power.

Although the Air Board did grant Dominion its permits, they significantly reduced the amount of mercury and other pollutants the plant can omit - thanks in a large part to the righteous indignation around this project. The “Wise Energy for VA” coalition finds the permits as they stand to be illegal, falling short of full compliance under the Clean Air Act, and appropriate action will be taken. We are excited to continue in this fight and look forward to continue to work with you for a healthy and sustainable Virginia. For more on the decisions, visit the coalition’s website.

More from Wise:
- Nadia (pictured above) writes about her time in Wise on the Green Muslims blog
- John Moyle, senior pastor of Oakbrook Church in Reston, VA, writes on his blog about his trip to Wise County: read his entry I Went to the Moutaintop ... But it Was Gone.

TAKE ACTION: Gov. Kaine has the opportunity to appoint two new people to the State Air Pollution Control Board. This body will decide on the air permit for the proposed coal plant in Wise County, VA, the future of Alexandria’s Mirant Plant, and other decisions that will affect God’s creation. Please write to Gov. Kaine and urge him to appoint qualified individuals who are committed to meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards and future regulations on global warming gas emissions that the U.S. Supreme Court has directed the U.S. EPA to develop. Send an email today.

The crowd rolls up the "mile long" petition in order to prepare it for delivery to Dominion's representatives.

Our thanks to the more than 42,000 people who signed the "mile-long" petition to Dominion, including hundreds within the GWIPL network.

On May 8, hundreds from across Virginia joined Wise County residents in Richmond at a park across from Dominion's headquarters. They delivered to company representatives a "mile long" petition against a proposed coal-fired power plant in Wise County, VA and in favor of efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy.

Read more about delivery of the petition on the CCAN blog.

Rabbi Ben Romer, of Richmond's Congregation Or Ami, spoke at a rally on May 8 for the delivery of the "mile long" petition.

Opportunities for Involving Your Community
1. Educate your congregation about mountain top removal
- Need some photos for a display? Print this power point, photos courtesy of ilovemountains.org
- Be prepared for questions with talking points
2. Contact Allison, GWIPL's Program Director, for more information

Letter to Gov. Kaine
March 10, 2008 - Faith leaders from across the Commonwealth joined together today to call on Governor Kaine to lead the state to a clean energy future and oppose Dominion Power’s proposed coal plant in southwest Virginia. Read the letter to Gov. Kaine.

Press Release
"FAITH LEADERS URGE GOV KAINE TO OPPOSE COAL PLANT:
Over 60 Leaders from Across Virginia Call Clean Energy a Moral Issue," 3/10/08 - Go to the release

Press
- "Moral Principle Spurs Opposition to Plant" by Pat Watkins, (of Virginia Interfaith Power and Light), Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/30/08.
- Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial, "Wise Choice," 3/14/08.
- "Letter to Kaine opposes plant: Religious leaders, scholars say a power plant planned for Wise will be too harmful to the Earth" by Greg Edwards, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/11/08.

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