Tempers flare as Norfolk shifts on coal-fired plant

Apr 25 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Jillian Nolin The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.

The City Council majority went from opposing the Surry County coal-fired power plant to possible opposition in a meeting in which tensions ran high.

Two council members who had been in favor of outright opposition, Angelia Williams and Barclay Winn, who are both up for re-election, changed their vote. A resolution saying the city of Norfolk is "provisionally opposed" to the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative plant passed on a 5-3 vote Tuesday after a heated exchange.

The nonbinding resolution attracted more than 20 speakers who gave an impassioned plea to the council and led to a shouting match between two council members, Tommy Smigiel and Paul Riddick.

Riddick became enraged when Smigiel noted his absence at a committee meeting where the resolution was discussed, leading Riddick to say, "Don't call me out, son." An argument ensued, with Smigiel claiming that Riddick threatened to "straighten him out."

Smigiel issued his own threat -- the threat of a criminal charge. As of late Tuesday night, Smigiel said he planned to meet with the city attorney to discuss possible actions of recourse.

"This has not been one of our finest hours, I will say that," said Mayor Paul Fraim, who called for a brief recess so council members could cool off.

The original resolution, which simply stated the city's opposition to the power plant, failed to get enough votes after only Theresa Whibley, Winn, Andy Protogyrou and Smigiel voted for it.

A second resolution, which did not say the city was opposed to the resolution, was first presented two weeks ago as an alternative. It was modified Tuesday to say the city was "provisionally opposed," adding that the council would again take up the issue once "the appropriate federal and state agencies have compiled the record regarding the effect of the plant," according to the resolution.

This resolution, which passed Tuesday, tasks the city manager with staying involved in the permitting process for the plant "to see that Norfolk's interests are protected."

Winn, who supported the original resolution, voted in favor of the new resolution.

"I've got to believe this is better than nothing," Winn said.

Williams, who said two weeks ago that she would support the original resolution, has since changed her position. She voted for the new resolution.

"I believe this is our city doing its due diligence," Williams said of the new resolution.

The "provisional opposition" resolution passed with five votes. Williams, Riddick, Winn, Anthony Burfoot and Fraim were the affirming votes.

If it's built, the Cypress Creek Power Station would be the largest in Virginia. The 1,500-megawatt, $6 billion coal-fired plant would be built on 1,600 acres near the town of Dendron in Surry County.

The Old Dominion Electric Cooperative has suspended its permitting efforts for now because of new, more stringent EPA regulations. A representative from Norfolk Southern said it would be premature for the council to vote on the resolution when the project is so early in the permitting process.

Jillian Nolin, 757-446-2326,jillian.nolin@pilotonline.com