I know folks will continue to work for this but it does not sound good the way I am reading it
http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tr...9-19-0007.html
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Southwest Virginia lawmakers were shocked by a State Corporation Commission examiner's recommendation that Dominion Power not recoup money it spends while building a $1 billion coal-fired plant in Wise County.
But they said Monday they quickly developed a plan of action to fight the recommendation.
The senators and delegate plan to travel to Richmond to testify during a pending formal hearing on the matter. Sen. William Wampler, R-Bristol, said the local delegation will speak against the SCC hearing officer's recommendation.
"We will do so respectfully,"? Wampler said.
It all comes down to a constitutional issue, Wampler said as Sen. Phillip Puckett, D-Lebanon, and Delegate Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, stood with him. The trio was at the University of Virginia's College at Wise for a visit of the governor's cabinet.
The Virginia General Assembly voted to build a power plant in the coalfields after deeming that a coal-fired facility would be in the public's interest. It will be built, Wampler said.
"The legislature directed the State Corporation Commission to build the plant,"? Wampler said. "We believe so strongly that the legislature has spoken."?
The SCC's job is to carry out the wishes of the General Assembly, the lawmakers said.
"What the staff has done has put the plant in jeopardy, Wampler said.
The General Assembly left the non-political details like rate of return and environmental matters up to the SCC, as it should, the senator said. But a hearings examiner has no authority to interpret legislative intent, they said.
Dominion could spend up to $20 million on studies and related matters before the plant is built, Wampler said. The company should have a chance to recoup those costs, he said.
Dominion asked the SCC to protect its investment in the plant before the coal-fired facility is built, but hearing examiner Deborah Ellenberg recommended the agency turn down the request. The region's legislators said the Virginia Committee for Fair Utility Rates objected to Dominion's request. The organization said an early SCC ruling on Dominion's request to get a 12 percent return is premature. The matter will now go before a three-judge SCC panel.
Wampler said Dominion remains committed to building the power plant near St. Paul.
Wise County officials were also surprised by the turn of events.
"This has never been one of those things that we had concerns about,"? said County Administrator Skip Skinner. "We were told early on in the process that this would be a long road with lots of hurdles to overcome. This is one of those hurdles."?
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