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Southwest VA Residents Could See Improvements in Health Services

The Kingsport Times-News recently reported about efforts to improve the health of residents in Southwest Virginia. As of now, individuals who live in Southwest Virginia have a premature mortality rate that is 26 percent higher than the state average, in addition, to having higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Adapting health services to better suit area residents can result in a great improvement in their quality of life, and also make the area more attractive to businesses and new residents, which will improve property values.

"The Southwest Virginia Health Authority has unveiled a plan to improve the region’s health care network and access to health care that includes a push to establish a medical specialist training facility in the region and permitting an expanded role for dental hygienists.

The Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity is the first strategic plan developed to address health disparities residents of Southwest Virginia face, said Delegate Bud Phillips, D-Clintwood.

Phillips is chairman of the authority, which was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2006.

Residents of Southwest Virginia have a premature mortality rate that is 26 percent higher than the state average and have higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The “blueprint” identifies those issues and needs and sets short-term, intermediate and long-term goals and objectives to address those needs, Phillips said.

'We believe the authority’s approach is a model for the nation to follow because it was developed by the people who know health care and what Southwest Virginia’s needs are,' he said. 'By improving health care, we improve the quality of life in Southwest Virginia.'

Some of the blueprint goals include allowing dental hygienists to provide preventive care. Another goal — establishing a dental school/clinic in Wise County — is under way. The plan also proposes as an immediate goal establishing a Medical Specialist Training Center in the region so residents won’t have to travel long distances to see health care specialists.

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Posted on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 - 3:03pm

Wise County Residents Will Still Get New Power Plant, Despite Current Flawed Permit

The state Air Pollution Control Board erred in not setting a firm limit for mercury emissions for the Dominion Virginia Power Plant being constructed in Wise County, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch last night. A Richmond Circuit Judge struck down a state-issued permit for the coal-burning plant.

According to a Dominion spokesperson, the ruling will not stop them from completing the project and enhancing utility services to the Wise County area. This is a win-win situation for area homeowners who will have a reliable source for energy, experience a boost in the local economy, a new employer all while being ensured that the emissions from the coal-burning plant comply with the Clean Air Act to protect the health of residents.

"Richmond Circuit Judge Margaret P. Spencer struck down a state-issued permit for a coal-burning power plant under construction in Wise County. The judge said the state Air Pollution Control Board erred in not setting a firm limit for mercury emissions from the $1.8 billion Dominion Virginia Power plant.

The ruling, dated Monday but released today, means the board must craft another permit for the plant.

The board set a mercury limit, but the permit allowed the limit to be loosened if the plant had trouble meeting the original requirement.

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the challenge on behalf of four other environmental groups — the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Sierra Club.

The environmentalists challenged two permits issued by the air board in 2008. On the second permit, the environmentalists said that the board should have issued a limit for carbon dioxide emissions, which are linked to global warming. The judge rejected that, saying the federal Clean Air Act does not require the board to set a carbon limit.

The environmentalists also challenged the permits on a handful of other points. They won on the one."

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Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 8:34am

Old Dominion Power Seeks Rate Increase in Norton and Surrounding Counties

The Kingsport Times News recently reported that the State Corporation Commission of Virginia will be holding a meeting this November as requested by Old Dominion Power Company, who wishes to increase electric base rates to its Virginia customers.

Homeowners affected by these proposed rate increases can voice their concerns to the SCC in a number of ways.

-  A hearing in Norton will be held on November 18th at 4pm and reconvene at 7pm J.I. Burton High School auditorium to receive testimony from the public. Any person wishing to comment should arrive early and notify the SCC bailiff.

-  The SCC will also hold a public hearing in Richmond on Jan. 6 in the commission’s second floor courtroom in the Tyler Building at 1300 E. Main St.

-  Written comments must be submitted by Dec. 30. All correspondence should be sent to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond VA 23218-2118 and refer to case number PUE-2009-00029.

-  Comments can also be submitted electronically at the SCC Web site. Click on the Public Comments/Notices link and then the Submit Comments button for case number PUE-2009-00029.

"The State Corporation Commission of Virginia (SCC) has scheduled a public hearing in Norton on Nov. 18 on a request by Old Dominion Power Co. to increase electric base rates to Virginia customers.

A subsidiary of Kentucky Utilities, Old Dominion serves about 30,000 residential customers in Lee, Wise, Scott, Russell and Dickenson counties.

Kentucky Utilities spokesman Cliff Feltham said Wednesday Old Dominion seeks an additional $12.2 million annually from its Virginia customers, an overall 21 percent increase over current annual revenues. That rate hike percentage depends on household usage, but the SCC said the proposed rate increase would raise the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kwh) from $70.05 to $91.64, an increase of more than 30.8 percent.

Feltham said ODP determines an average customer uses about 1,424 kwh per month, so an average bill would go up by another $24 or $25 a month."

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Posted on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 10:08am

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Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 12:00am