Energy proposal
may curb local authority
Nov 10, 2005 - Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va.
Author(s): Greg Edwards
Nov. 10--Virginia local governments would lose zoning and land- use
authority over designated sites for wind farms, nuclear plants and other
low-emission energy facilities under a proposal being studied by a
legislative panel.
A subcommittee of the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission, made up of
state lawmakers and interested citizens, is working on legislation that
would create a state energy policy.
State Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, leads the panel. It reviewed a
29-page bill yesterday that would promote policies such as offshore
energy development, grants and tax refunds for buying and using clean
and efficient energy, and a requirement that new state buildings be
built to energy-efficiency standards.
One provision would have the State Corporation Commission identify
the best sites across Virginia for wind-energy farms. It would also
identify the three best sites for liquefied natural gas terminals and
nuclear power plants. The SCC would develop a scoring system for the
sites that could be challenged by land owners.
Sites identified for low-emission facilities would be exempt from
local land-use plans and zoning laws if a plant were built.
The siting of energy facilities often proves difficult. For instance,
a wind-farm project proposed for a ridge top in Highland County has met
with strong local opposition.
Del. Harry J. Parrish, R-Manassas, questioned the stripping of siting
authority from local governments. Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R- Virginia
Beach, who helped draft the energy bill, said that local governments
would be able to participate in identifying sites and that projects
still would be required to get the necessary permits.
James Campbell, executive director of the Virginia Association of
Counties, indicated that localities would probably oppose efforts to
strip them of their land-use authority.
"Land-use control and management is a local authority that local
governing bodies could better address," Campbell said. Localities have
consistently resisted efforts by state government to interfere with that
authority.
Watkins said his group's goal is not to come up with ways of dealing
with short-term disruptions.
The group will look at the effects of existing state laws and
regulations and at broader policies that could make the state more
independent where energy is concerned.
Energy needs affect all citizens and the panel has to look at the
issue from that view, Watkins said.
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