The Justice Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the State of New York have made an agreement in principle with Virginia Power requiring the company to make significant reductions in harmful air pollution at its eight coal-fired power plants, carry out $13.9 million in environmental projects, and pay a civil fine of $5.3 million. This agreement is part of an ongoing, nationwide initiative to stop illegal pollution from coal-fired power plants. A similar accord was reached between the United States and the Tampa Electric Company in February, making the Virginia Power agreement the second of its kind. The parties involved want to resolve environmental claims against Virginia Power, similar to claims filed against several other electric utilities, without litigation. The accord will be translated into a detailed consent decree that will be negotiated for several weeks.
Based on a report from Safety Currents
