By Heather Michon
Correspondent
Tenaska has proposed up to $5 million in direct payments to nearby homeowners and the creation of a temporary community advisory board as part of its plans for the Expedition Generation power plant, according to a letter sent to residents Dec. 18.
The Nebraska-based energy company is facing a new round of public hearings in mid-January, following the Fluvanna County Planning Commission’s October deferral of decisions on key local permits.
The proposed “Good Neighbor Fund” would provide payments to qualifying homeowners living within two miles of Tenaska’s existing facility and the planned Expedition project. Payments would begin when construction on the new plant starts and would be distributed over four years.
Under the proposal, homeowners whose properties are adjacent to the existing or proposed plants could receive up to $30,000. Residents within one mile could receive up to $20,000, while those within two miles could receive up to $10,000.
At the October Planning Commission hearing, Tenaska officials proposed offering soundproofing measures to residents nearest the plants, but later shifted to direct payments following feedback from neighbors.
“We hope that these additional community benefits demonstrate that we have heard your feedback and are taking it seriously,” said Jerrod Pitts, Tenaska’s vice president of development.
Tenaska spokesperson Timberly Ross said homeowners would be required to verify ownership and provide information needed to process payments, but would not be required to sign waivers or other agreements as a condition of receiving funds.
The company has also proposed establishing a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to be administered by a third-party firm.
The board would be established within six months of the county approving local permits and would operate through the development phase, concluding after the first year of plant operations.
Ross said the advisory board would meet regularly to receive project updates, share feedback, and exchange questions.
County Attorney Dan Whitten said the county has received a list of suggested conditions from Tenaska related to the project’s special use permit, but emphasized that none have yet been reviewed by the Planning Commission or the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors.
“These suggested conditions have not yet been considered by the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors,” Whitten said. “As the review process is still ongoing, it is premature to comment on any suggested conditions at this time.”
Once staff review is complete, Whitten said, a finalized list of suggested conditions will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
Tenaska said the proposed fund and advisory board are intended to complement other measures, including additional tree plantings at the existing plant and updated sound mitigation technology planned for the new facility.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to take up key local permits, including a special use permit and a determination of whether the proposed 1.5-gigawatt natural-gas plant is substantially in accord with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.
Public hearings on those issues, deferred from the October meeting, are scheduled for Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.
