Dickenson County team pitches resilience and energy advisory committees to supervisors

Project consultants and local volunteers outlined two advisory bodies intended to help Dickenson County prepare for and recover from disasters and to evaluate local energy options.

Rachel Taylor, a county native who said she became involved after last year’s flooding, described the proposed Dickinson County Resilience Committee as “a central hub for community insights and assistance with resilience and recovery planning.” She said the committee would advise the Board of Supervisors on emergency preparedness, hazard mitigation, economic and social resilience and long-term recovery after natural hazards. The team proposed membership nominated by each supervisor to ensure geographic representation and suggested the board could appoint a chair and set meeting frequency.

The project team listed four guiding goals: strengthen countywide readiness; identify and reduce key hazards (flooding, infrastructure vulnerabilities); enhance cross-agency coordination across health, emergency services and nonprofits; and protect critical infrastructure — roads, utilities and communications — to speed recovery. Sharon Dixon of the American Red Cross emphasized the value of connecting short-term response (shelter, commodity distribution) with long-term recovery groups so money and volunteers reach affected localities quickly.

On energy, the project team proposed an Energy Opportunity Committee to advise on local energy technologies, revenue-sharing and resilience measures such as backup power. The presenter said the group would consider solar, wind, batteries and other technologies and would coordinate with towns, school systems and regional partners such as UVA Wise and planning districts. The committee would be advisory and operate under board appointment; staff liaisons were suggested (sheriff’s office, emergency management, public works).

Supervisors generally praised both concepts but asked for more detail before any formal action. Staff recommended drafting a charter and bringing a resolution or formal proposal back to the board for appointment and membership rules. The board directed staff and the project team to return with a proposed charter and specifics about meeting frequency, reporting expectations and potential costs.

The board did not adopt either committee at tonight’s meeting; presenters were asked to refine a charter for formal consideration.