1. COAL:
Va. power plant faces opposition on two fronts

For Virginia lawmakers looking to boost the economic prospects of hard-luck Appalachia, the idea made sense: Build a coal-fired power plant in the heart of the state's coal-rich southwestern corner. So Richmond-based Dominion Energy, following a mandate in the 2007 Electric Utility Restructuring Act, proposed construction last year of a 585-megawatt power plant in Wise County at the Kentucky line, a place so steeped in mining history that the local newspaper is called The Coalfield Progress. But Dominion and other backers of the planned Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center are now facing strong opposition as foes of coal-fired power generation have joined local people concerned about mining's potential to destroy their beloved mountains. Go to story #1