CHESTERFIELD, VA — Dozens of residents, advocates, and community leaders gathered Thursday evening to speak out against Dominion Energy’s proposed gas plant in Chesterfield, ahead of a public briefing hosted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The press conference, organized by the No New Gas Plants Coalition, highlighted concerns about the project’s health, climate, and economic impacts. Speakers called on the DEQ and State Corporation Commission to reject the proposal and instead invest in clean, affordable energy solutions.

“Dominion’s proposed plant threatens our community’s health and our environment, and it’s being planned without real community input,” said Nicole Martin, president of the Chesterfield County NAACP. “We refuse to let Chesterfield be a sacrifice zone for outdated fossil fuel infrastructure.”

The Chesterfield gas plant is the first of six new methane gas plants Dominion plans to build across Virginia. The proposed facility would be located on the site of a retired coal plant, raising concerns about cumulative pollution and environmental injustice.

“Dominion is doubling down on dirty energy when we should be accelerating the transition to renewables,” said Glen Besa, board chair of Friends of Chesterfield. “This project would lock in harmful emissions and drive up costs for families already struggling with high bills.”

The No New Gas Plants Coalition is calling on state leaders to reject Dominion’s proposal and instead support a clean energy future that protects public health, reduces costs, and confronts the climate crisis. 

The coalition’s next major event is a rally on Monday, September 8, outside the DEQ’s public hearing on the proposed plant’s air pollution permit. Hundreds of residents from across the region will gather to demand that the permit be denied. 

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The No New Gas Plants Coalition is a statewide alliance of grassroots organizations, community leaders, environmental advocates, and policy experts working to stop the expansion of costly and polluting energy infrastructure in Virginia. Formed in response to Dominion Energy’s plans to build up to six new gas-fired power plants, the coalition is united by a vision of an affordable and clean energy future. Together, we advocate for the health and voices of Virginia communities most impacted by pollution and rising energy costs. 

The Coalition includes Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, Appalachian Voices, CASA, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Chesterfield County NAACP, Clean Virginia, Friends of Chesterfield, Mothers Out Front, New Virginia Majority, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, Southern Environmental Law Center, Sunrise UVA, Virginia Conservation Network, and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light.