Spark It Up!!!: Power Plant Supporters Show Up

It was pro coal at last nights meeting with the DEQ concerning the much wanted Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center. The handful of the coal is evil crowd that has been protesting the plant were faced with the reality -

Supporters speak out at power plant hearing

Published 02/11/2008 By Stephen Igo

Supporters of the project owned Monday’s version of the DEQ public hearings. Of the roughly 600 people in attendance, supporters easily outnumbered opponents by at least 10 to 1. Opponents got out-hustled to the speaker sign-in sheet, too. Nearly 90 minutes into the meeting, nary a single opposition voice had yet to be heard. (Read it all at the Kingsport Times)

Who was there wanting the plant?

Not that project supporters were in a mood to listen. Having gotten outnumbered during a State Corporation Commission hearing in Richmond last month by what more than a few supporters on Monday termed “outsiders,” Monday’s hearing was seized from the outset by a huge contingent of coal miners, loggers, a who’s who of county officials, and regular folks who drew the line, literally, at the Wise County line.

Lines are drawn indeed. The 600 will become larger if needed. Coal is the bedrock of SWVA and the people want this plant.

Andy Annison got the pro-power plant crowd riled early, and it didn’t need a whole lot of convincing anyway.

Annison said every other Wise Countian he’s ever talked to supports the power plant and he and his fellow citizens are getting tired of “outside groups” misrepresenting not only the merits of the project but what is good for the people of Wise County.

Indeed.