Letters to the Editor: New Power Station Will Meet Demand

New Power Station Will Meet Demand
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible base load electricity generation is an important component in meeting Virginia's ever-growing energy needs. As a not-for-profit power supplier to hundreds of thousands of Virginians, that is exactly what Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) strives to provide our consumer-members.

Some of your readers have mentioned energy efficiency as being part of the solution -- and they're correct. ODEC fully supports energy efficiency -- on both the demand and supply sides. (The advanced technology that will be employed at Cypress Creek Power Station will create efficiencies that will allow us to use 30 percent less coal than older generation facilities in Virginia. In addition, we will use local biomass to further reduce the amount of coal that must be used as a fuel source).

Through a variety of ODEC and member system demand response programs, we proactively encourage the nearly 1 million people who use the electricity we generate to use it efficiently. To date, our consumer-members' concerted demand response and energy efficiency efforts have saved hundreds of megawatts (MW) of electricity and have delayed the need to construct a base load power station by several years. However, with our service territory's demand significantly outpacing the national average, and forecasts that show our consumer-members' needs will continue to escalate, and projections that Virginia will be 3,000 MW short of electricity by 2017, we must construct Cypress Creek Power Station to meet Virginia's future energy needs.

Again, ODEC fully supports energy efficiency as a way to reduce energy consumption. But, the reality is that substantial changes in human behavior -- as well as significant investments in commercial and residential properties -- are required. Efficiency enhancements simply cannot, in time, reach the scale necessary to offset the increased need for energy that a growing population with a growing appetite for electronics, lighting, heating, and cooling will require. C. David Hudgins, Director, Member and External Communications, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.


Glen Allen.

Cox Is Principled, And Ready to Lead
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I have known John Cox for many years. In both business and private worlds, Cox is a loyal man of principle, honesty, and decency.

Experience teaches that the company we keep offers insight into our character. Cox keeps good company. He and his wife Dottie have been married more than 30 years and have two college-age daughters. The family has met and surmounted serious challenges. At his church, Cox is a longtime faithful member of his Sunday school and congregation.

At Cox Transportation Services, Inc. (CTSI), the first employee is still there after almost 30 years. She is the company's vice president of operations. Today they administer a company of almost 300 employees. For years, Cox has supported numerous charities, including cancer research and the Hanover Education Foundation.

Cox has served his industry at the Virginia Trucking Association on the board and as its president -- and in its legislative affairs committee. He is a longstanding member of the Hanover Association of Business.

While virtue may be its own reward, good character, coupled with hard work, is still a recipe for success. Cox would like to keep it that way. The success of CTSI is a testament to Cox's work ethic and business judgment. CTSI represents long-term achievement and business done right. It also allows Cox the freedom to be a full-time delegate.

With Cox, there is no glib misdirection or posing on thin facts, or tinge of sheer ambition. There is a proven achievement and experience that ensures faithful delegate service. He will fairly apply conservative principles with common sense in preserving the good and building for better. Vote for John Cox on Tuesday.

Michael Gladstone.
Doswell.

Many are puzzled by your endorsement of Carlos Brown, who lives in Henrico, for his election to represent the people of the 69th District, where he has a residence, but does not live. He recently ran for the House seat vacated by Dwight Jones in another district where he did not live.

Can Brown truly represent the people of the district of his latest choice?

S. Buford Scott.
Richmond.

For years I sat in front of him in the House of Delegates. I watched him battle the special interests to improve public education, expand health-care coverage, create jobs, safeguard the environment, and support higher salaries for struggling teachers and state employees. He showed particular commitment to the well-being of children and senior citizens.

Not once did he mention growing up amid humble circumstances, going off to college with only $40 in his pocket, and working his way through college and Wake Forest Law School.

Deeds' background helps explain why he fights so hard for average, working families who do not have $500-per-hour lobbyists to protect their interests. He is the kind of Virginia Democrat who would be a governor for all citizens in the Old Dominion.

George Grayson.
Williamsburg.

This feature is more suited to a cheap paperback or a horror movie than a public daily. If it has a negative effect on the majority of adults who read the paper, I can only feel anxiety over what our youth may derive from such bloody sensationalism. R.R. Kessler. Midlothian.