SELC files suit on behalf of six Fluvanna residents who want to void Tenaska additional power plant permit
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of six Fluvanna County residents seeking to void a special-use permit for Tenaska's proposed Expedition Generating power station. The residents allege the county improperly approved the permit using unenforceable side agreements and failed to account for impacts including pollution, noise, traffic and water-related concerns.
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed suit in Fluvanna County Circuit Court for six residents who live near Tenaska's existing and proposed gas-fired power stations. The lawsuit asks the court to invalidate the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors' special-use permit for the proposed Expedition Generating Station, alleging the board relied on restrictive covenants that were not properly advertised or legally related to the plant's impacts.
The residents say the larger facility would increase air, light and noise pollution, construction traffic and other disruptions. The suit also challenges Tenaska's proposed payments and commitments, including a $5 million Good Neighbor Fund, a $7 million first-responder payment, water-discharge provisions and an annual donation to the Rivanna River Basin Commission. Tenaska said it could not comment because the matter is in active litigation, while county officials also declined to comment.