Fluvanna County: Residents file suit challenging gas-fired power plant
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of six Fluvanna County residents challenging the county’s approval of a special-use permit for Tenaska’s proposed 1,540-megawatt gas-fired power plant. Residents argue the project could worsen air pollution, noise, and construction impacts near Tenaska’s existing plant, which may help power large developments such as data centers.
The Southern Environmental Law Center sued on behalf of six Fluvanna County residents over the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors’ approval of a special-use permit for Tenaska’s proposed 1,540-megawatt gas-fired power plant. The new facility would be built next to Tenaska’s existing plant in western Fluvanna County; supervisors approved the permit in a 4-1 vote in March.
SELC attorney Christina Libre said the board improperly relied on commitments from Tenaska that may be unenforceable and warned that the decision could set a precedent for other large industrial developments in Virginia, including gas plants built to support data centers. Nearby residents Chris Whitmore and Julie Noggle said they are concerned about additional construction traffic, noise, air pollution, and health impacts from a second plant near their homes.