Spark It Up!!!: Terry Kilgore - "We Will Prevail" on the new Wise County Power Plant.

Yesterday was the 37th annual gathering of the Virginia Mining Association. The function was held at the Holiday Inn in Norton. Terry Kilgore addressed coal and the new plant.

“It’s amazing to me that people from the other parts of Virginia are suddenly interested in what is going on in Southwest Virginia,” Kilgore told the 37th annual gathering of the Virginia Mining Association at the Norton Holiday Inn on Saturday. Mostly, they seem put out by the prospect of low-cost electricity and a prosperous coal-producing region, Kilgore said.

“A lot of you, and me personally, have been attacked (including by) one of our local newspapers. When did coal become a four-letter word?” Kilgore said.

In the 1980s, legislation to enable the location of a power plant at Toms Creek in Coeburn failed, he said. But the bill spearheaded by state Sen. William Wampler Jr. in 2004 sailed through the General Assembly to make a power plant project in Southwest Virginia more attractive to utilities.

That's right! Preach on Brother Kilgore.

Kilgore said he was “accosted” during an air permit hearing in Richmond. Chesterfield County people accused him of wanting to poison the children of Southwest Virginia with the power plant. Kilgore said such vigorous advocacy would be great if it could only be harnessed for energy.

“I’m telling you, we will prevail on this power plant,” he told about 125 VMA members. He urged the industry to “continue to make your voice heard: in Richmond and Congress.

“Vocal minorities are out there trying to run this country,” Kilgore said. “You all must stay involved and speak your mind on this and other issues important to coal.”(READ IT ALL)

We will stay involved for sure. The plant has the support of leaders from both parties. It has the support of the people of Wise county. The plant meets or exceeds environmental laws so how in the world can they stop it? Follow the laws and permit this much needed plant.