Community Members Push Back Against Dominion Energy’s Proposed Chesterfield Gas Plant at DEQ Hearing

CHESTERFIELD, VA — Community members, local leaders and advocates testified at the final Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) public hearing yesterday to oppose Dominion Energy’s proposed $8 billion gas plant in Chesterfield County. Speakers highlighted the project’s potential to raise electric bills, pollute local air and lock Virginia into decades of reliance on fossil fuels, primarily to power the growing data center industry.

The hearing drew residents, environmental advocates and legislators united in opposition, emphasizing that Virginians are already facing an energy affordability crisis while Dominion seeks to expand fossil fuel infrastructure and give multi-million dollar pay increases to its CEO. 

“This project is about Dominion Energy expanding its profits, not serving the people of Virginia,” said Nicole Martin, president of the Chesterfield County NAACP. “Families across the Commonwealth are struggling to pay their bills. We cannot allow a new gas plant to make the problem worse while polluting our air and harming the health of our communities.”

The No New Gas Plants coalition reiterated its call for Virginia to invest in cleaner, more affordable energy solutions, rather than expensive new fossil fuel infrastructure. Coalition members also stressed that Virginians deserve transparency, accountability and a voice in decisions that affect their health, environment and cost of living.

Members of the public can still submit comments on the DEQ air pollution permit here until 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

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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, immigrant advocacy organization 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.

Hundreds Pack DEQ Hearing to Oppose Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas Plant

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, Del. Mike Jones, and Del. Rodney Willett join residents urging denial of the air permit

CHESTERFIELD, VA — Hundreds of residents, community leaders, and public health advocates filled the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) air permit hearing Monday night to oppose Dominion Energy’s proposed methane gas plant in Chesterfield. Speaker after speaker warned of higher energy bills, more pollution for nearby neighborhoods, and a costly step backward for Virginia.

Check out the live stream recording of the hearing here.

Senator Hashmi speaking at the Chesterfield Gas Plant hearing 9/8/25“Tonight’s turnout makes one thing unmistakable: Chesterfield families do not want a new gas plant,” said Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-SD15). “This project would raise costs and increase pollution when cleaner, more affordable options are available right now. DEQ should deny this permit and protect public health.”

 

Delegate Mike Jones speaking at the Chesterfield Gas Plant hearing 9/8/25“Virginians are already stretched, and communities closest to this site have lived with industrial health burdens for generations,” said Delegate Mike Jones (D-HD77). “Dominion’s proposal asks the public to pay more for more pollution. We can meet our energy needs by investing in efficiency, storage, and renewables that lower bills and create jobs.”

 

Delegate Willet speaking at the Chesterfield Gas Plant hearing 9/8/25
“Families in Chesterfield and across Virginia are already paying too much for electricity,” said Delegate Rodney Willett (D-HD58). “Dominion’s proposal would force customers to bankroll outdated fossil fuel infrastructure instead of investing in cleaner, cheaper energy solutions that are readily available. We should be building a system that lowers bills and safeguards public health, not one that keeps us tied to the past.”

 

“People showed up because they understand what is at stake,” said Glen Besa, board chair and co-founder of Friends of Chesterfield. “This plant would lock in years of fossil fuel costs and emissions at a site already harmed by coal. DEQ should listen to the community and reject an outdated, risky project.”

The proposed facility would be built at the retired Chesterfield Power Station site. Residents and experts testified that the project would add to local air pollution, undermine Virginia’s clean energy goals, and expose customers to volatile fossil fuel prices. Speakers urged DEQ to require cleaner, lower-cost alternatives.

DEQ will now review public comment and testimony from the hearing before making a permitting decision.

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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.

Chesterfield Residents Pack VA Department of Environmental Quality Briefing, Call for Clean Air Over Gas Pollution

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.