Dominion Energy outlines proposed Cumberland Energy Center, neighbours raise noise, light and water concerns

Dominion Energy representatives briefed the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors on a proposed combined-cycle generation station sited off Duncan Store Road in District 1, describing it as a multi-unit “2-1-1” combined cycle plant intended to provide base-load power to the regional grid. The company said the fenced power-station equipment would occupy about 150 acres within a roughly 972-acre property and showed public renderings and early designs intended to minimize visual and noise impacts.

Residents at the meeting expressed concern about proximity to homes, citing an industry noise estimate of 65 decibels at the property line and the impact of night-time lighting. In response, Dominion said it planned vegetative buffering, nighttime visualizations and other mitigations. "During operations, it will be around 800,000 gallons on an average day but it can go up to 2,000,000 gallons on a peak summer day and can go lower around around 400,000 on a on a regular day," said Ravi, Dominion's subject-matter expert, when asked about water use. Dominion also estimated substantial tax benefits, saying the project could generate about $500 million in tax revenue over the first three to five years and around $28 million in the first year of operation.

Company presenters outlined the regulatory path: community meetings are ongoing, an air permit and modeling will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Dominion has filed a generation interconnection application with PJM. They said the project timeline anticipates submitting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to the Virginia regulatory authority in early-to-mid 2027 and potential construction starting near 2029. Dominion invited residents to upcoming outreach meetings and to contact staff for one-on-one follow-ups.