Old Dominion Electric Cooperative has received a state permit to conduct tests in the James River for its proposed $6 billion coal-fired plant in Surry County.
The Virginian-Pilot reports that the Virginia Marine Resources Commission unanimously approved the permit Tuesday.
The utility wants to determine what type of metal screen would best serve a pipeline. The pipeline would carry millions of gallons of cooling water a day from the river to the proposed Cypress Creek Power Station.
Three types of metal screens will be tested.
Some environmentalists and residents opposed the experiments. They argued that the tests might harm aquatic life.
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~ Environmental Protection Agency