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Dominion Energy outlines proposed Cumberland Energy Center; company cites large tax revenue and jobs
Summary
Dominion Energy presented plans for a combined-cycle natural-gas generation facility in Cumberland County, describing roughly 150 acres of equipment on a ~972-acre site, estimating first-year tax revenue of about $28,000,000 and average daily water use around 800,000 gallons; the project will require DEQ air permitting and PJM interconnection review.
At the May 12 Cumberland County Board of Supervisors meeting, Dominion Energy representatives presented an initial proposal for the Cumberland Energy Center, a combined-cycle natural-gas generation project planned off Duncan Store Road in District 1.
"We're looking to build this project... provide about 3 3 gigawatts," said Sarah Marshall, a Dominion presenter, describing a facility the company said is intended to supply base-load power and integrate with other generation sources. Robert Hare, a manager in Dominion's generation development group, framed the presentation as the start of a multi-stage public process: "This is the initiation of a process. This is the first of many gates." The company said it will pursue regulatory steps including an air-permit application to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and a generation interconnection review by PJM, the regional transmission operator.
Dominion officials said the project footprint would include approximately 150 acres of equipment within a larger roughly 972-acre property to provide buffer and mitigation. The company highlighted potential local economic benefits: "The first year we're anticipating about 28,000,000 in tax revenue," Marshall told the board. Dominion also cited job and supply-chain benefits during construction and operations.
Residents raised environmental and quality-of-life concerns. Mike Parker, who said he lives in District 1 near the proposed site, questioned predicted noise levels and potential nightly light pollution: "Dominion says the noise level will be 65 decibels at the property line," Parker said, adding he was worried about sleep disruption and health effects. Dominion's subject-matter expert Ravi answered technical questions about water use and said operational demand would be "around 800,000 gallons on an average day but it can go up to 2,000,000 gallons on a peak summer day," with approximately half of that discharged.
Dominion representatives said they will continue community outreach, prepare nighttime visual renderings in response to resident feedback, and complete regulatory modeling for air permits. The company estimated major permitting milestones in 2027 and projected construction start in the late 2020s if approvals proceed. No approvals or funding decisions were taken by the board at the meeting; the presentation was provided for information and questions.
