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Dendron, Virginia, has more than its share of challenges. The community of around 300, located in the southern corner of Surry County, struggles with an outdated municipal water system, crumbling sidewalks and no major businesses within the town.
Prior to the Great Depression, Dendron had been a company town of more than 3,000, fueled by the lumber industry's presence there. Private business thrived in a town that revolved around the processing and export of timber across the country. Despite its character as an industrial one-trick-pony, the town of Dendron had something to stand for, and an industry to be proud of.
Today's Dendron little resembles that historic vision of the 1900's boomtown. Largely forgotten by the industry that once supported a thriving community, and facing serious municipal and community problems, such as an unexpected $10,000 water bill, you'd think the small town would take anything at this point to give it an economic boost.
The Old Dominion Electric Cooperative assumed this to be true when executives within the cooperative approached Dendronites with a plan for a new 1,500-megawatt coal-fired power plant, the second largest of its kind in Virginia. ODEC presented the Cypress Creek project with the promise of new jobs, tax revenue, and the idea that one major industry would bring others to the cash-strapped community. Despite local environmental effects and immediate hazards to human health, ODEC worked to assure Dendron residents that they stood to benefit from such a plant's construction. ODEC also assumed that they'd buy into it without any major hiccups.
(hint: the right answer is fighting coal and saving lives)
If you care about the environment and human health...you should be speaking and learning about the Hampton Roads Coal plant(also known as the Surry or Dendron Coal Plant). This coming Tuesday, May 12th, 5:30-8:30pm at the Surry Rec Center, Dendron residents and concerned people from across the state will unite for an information session on the plant.
Residents of Hampton Roads are encouraged to attend and share why you are passionate about fighting the plant, and to learn what this means for the small town of Dendron. This is a unique opportunity to ask questions, speak to the press, and learn how to take action on this 1500 MW coal powered plant which is on the verge of destroying this beautiful rural town of 500.
Who : Event Sponsored By the Coalition to Keep Surry Clean, joined by scientists, doctors, concerned residents, environmentalists and climate activists
What: Info Session on the coal plant currently proposed by ODEC
When: Tuesday May 12th. 5:30-8:30pm
Where: Surry Rec. Center, 205 Enos Farm Drive
Why..... The ODEC plant would be nearly 3 times the size of the Wise plant...at 1500MW.
Pollutants include 14.6 million tons of carbon dioxide per year and over 100 pounds of the neurotoxin mercury among others. This plant would be place in the central part of the town, literally across the street from many residents' homes.
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Dendron, Virginia, has more than its share of challenges. The community of around 300, located in the southern corner of Surry County, struggles with an outdated municipal water system, crumbling sidewalks and no major businesses within the town.
