Ads about proposed Virginia coal plant flood local radio and newspapers as hearings begin

The debate over a proposal to build a $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant in the coal country of southwest Virginia has escalated. The first of two hearings began yesterday and continued today, and advertisements for and against the proposal have dominated local radio and newspapers and appeared on billboards along the region's main highway artery, reports Kathy Still of the Bristol Herald Courier.

"These days, newspaper readers often find full-page advertisements from Dominion Virginia [Power] touting the plant’s positives, including jobs and tax revenue," Still writes. "And local radio waves are filled with commercials also singing the praises of the controversial project. But those who travel along U.S. Highway 58 between St. Paul and Coeburn can’t help but see a large anti-plant billboard across from the planned site for the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, known locally simply as the power plant."

The ad wars continue online with YouTube videos posted by opponents of the plant as well as blog posts attacking the project. The spike in ads coincides with this week's Department of Environmental Quality public hearing on the power plant. The DEQ meeting began at 7 p.m. yesterday at St. Paul High school, and the hearing continued today to give more people the chance to speak. (Read more) There will be another meeting Feb. 19 in Richmond for others who want to speak out. (Read more)