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Board approves water reservation agreement that would hold 2 million gallons/day for Dominion project
Summary
The board approved a negotiated water and wastewater capacity reservation agreement with Dominion Energy that would reserve up to 2,000,000 gallons per day of county water transmission/wastewater capacity for a proposed power-plant project; counsel emphasized the agreement is a due-diligence step and not a land-use decision.
The Board of Supervisors voted to approve a water and wastewater capacity reservation agreement negotiated with Dominion Energy (Virginia Electric and Power Company) that, if the project proceeds, would reserve up to 2,000,000 gallons per day of county water and wastewater capacity for Dominion’s proposed power plant.
As county counsel explained, "This agreement obligates Cumberland County to absorb 2,000,000 gallons per day of water for Dominion's use for its power plant project. If it moves forward, if the project does not proceed or subsequent agreements are not reached between the parties regarding this water usage, this obligation will cease." Counsel and retained firm Gentry Locke emphasized this is a first-step in due diligence, not a land-use approval, and that Dominion would reimburse county engineering study costs.
Board members and several public commenters raised concerns about scale, pipeline routes and long-term water availability. In public comment a resident noted that 2,000,000 gallons per day represents a large share of county allotment and urged more public information and study before commitments are made. County staff and counsel said the agreement preserves capacity while the county evaluates engineering and regulatory implications. The board adopted the reservation agreement by motion.
