The map above, which illustrates alternative site locations, is for graphic purposes only.
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative's (ODEC) Proposed Cypress Creek Power Station
Background & Project:
ODEC proposes to construct the Cypress Creek Power Station, a supercritical pulverized coal/biomass steam power electric generation facility. The applicant's preferred site for the Cypress Creek Power Station is a 1,600-acre property in Dendron, which is located in Surry County, Va. The Dendron site is located in the Blackwater River watershed. ODEC has also identified a 1,200-acre property in nearby Sussex County, Va., as an alternative site. The Sussex site is located in the Blackwater River and Nottoway River watersheds.
ODEC will be seeking a permit to construct the facility, which will consist of two boilers designed to use coal and waste wood as fuel; two turbines; and two generators. ODEC will need permits to impact wetlands for the facility, the water pipeline, and the railroad spurs. Permits will also be needed for the intake and outfall on the James River.
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead federal agency for this project because no other federal permits are required. ODEC will also require permits for the proposed power plant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and, potentially, other local agencies.
Corps' Role:
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be conducting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act to determine the need for the plant and assess alternatives. A Notice of Intent to issue an EIS was placed in the Federal Register July 22, 2009.
Recent Activities:
Norfolk District held an Agency Scoping Meeting June 3, 2009 and Public Scoping Meetings on June 10 and 11, 2009. Comments from federal, state and local agencies, and public input will be considered along with the proposed project alternatives.
As a cooperating agency for the EIS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct reviews of air and water quality. A kick-off meeting regarding the proposed project took place February 17, 2010 and included attendees representing the Norfolk District, EPA, ODEC and their consultant, and Norfolk District's recently hired third-party contractor, AECOM, which will assist the District with preparation of the EIS.
For more information regarding Corps regulatory matters for the ODEC coal-fired power plant, contact Melissa Nash at 803 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510, (757) 201-7489 or cypresscreek.eis@usace.army.mil.
Media and general inquiries, please contact Mark Haviland at (757) 201-7673.
Updated: 01-Nov-2010