Local officials in Fluvanna County, Virginia, have granted land use approval for a proposed natural gas power plant located between Monticello and Richmond. The project has created a clear divide in the rural community, with supporters and opponents voicing strong positions on the development.
The environmental impact of the proposed facility centers on its reliance on fracked natural gas, which would contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through both the extraction process and power generation. Natural gas plants, while cleaner than coal, still produce significant carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change.