VIRGINIA TO TRY GAS-SOLAR COMBO

'Green' Energy Plant Proposed for Loudoun
Tara Bahrampour, March 4, 2009 (Washington Post)

"Loudoun County would be powered by electricity generated in its back yard under a proposal to build an $813 million plant using natural gas, steam and solar energy.

"Green Energy Partners is proposing to build the facility on 80 acres just east of Leesburg, on property with two existing natural gas lines. To create the steam, the plant would use up to 5 million gallons a day of treated wastewater it would purchase from Leesburg. The treated water is now discharged into the Potomac River.

"John Andrews, who co-owns the company with his father, said it plans to sell the energy wholesale to Dominion Virginia Power and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, the two utilities that provide service to Loudoun consumers."

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"Company officials said that if the project is approved by federal, state and county officials, Loudoun will be consuming electricity that is produced within the county for the first time…Andrews said the hybrid facility would be "the lowest emitting plant in the state of Virginia."

"…The plant would generate 300 megawatts of energy from natural gas, 300 megawatts from steam and one megawatt from solar energy. Two gas turbines could produce an additional 300 megawatts during peak demand times… the plant would produce enough energy to power Loudoun County and possibly enough to sell to neighboring counties…

"If the county approves the project, the company would need to apply for state and federal permits. The approval process is expected to take a year, followed by two to three years for construction of the plant…"