Filed In The Circuit Court Clerk's Office of Stafford County, Va. May 7, 1969, BOOK 192 PAGE 193 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT of STAFFORD Virginia ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY, a Virginia corporation, Petitioner PETITION FOR CONDEMNATION OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINE EASEMENTS RALPH L. DUMBROWER, ET AL, and 157.55 Acres, More or Less,of Land, Located in Stafford county, Vir9inia, Defendants TO THE HONORABLE S. BERNARD COLEMAN, JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA Your Petitioner, Virginia Electric and Power (the company), a public service corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, respect- fully represents: (l) that it is a public service corporation engaged in the manufacture, distribution and sale of electricity to the public of the commonwealth and, as such, is authorized by Title 56, Chapter 2 and Title 25, Chapter l,l of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and the law of the commonwealth to acquire by the exercise of eminent domain any lands or estates or interests therein, rights of way, easements or other interests in lands, for its use in serving the public. (2) That the work or improvements to be made by the Company, as described herein, are necessary to meet the in- creasing demands for electricity throughout the entire system of the Company, particularly in Stafford County, Virginia. 3) That the public uses for which the perpetual rights, privileges, and easements of right of way described herein are to be acquired are the constructions, operation and maintenance of the Company’s Stafford-Elmont-Loudon Transmission Line begin- ning at the Elmont-Loudon Transmission line, and extending east- wardly through, among others, Stafford County to Company prop- erty south of Widewater, Virginia, in order to furnish electric service to the public. (4) That a description of the work or improvements to be made upon the easements of right of way described herein is the construction, operation and maintenance of one or more lines of poles, towers or structures as the Company may from time to time deem expedient or advisable for the purpose of. transmitting electric power by one or more circuits, including all wires, poles, towers, structures, attachments, ground connec- tions, equipment, accessories and appurtenances desirable in I connection therewith (the facilities). Plats disclosing the nature of such work or improvements, including the maximum dimen- sions of typical poles, towers and structures, are attached hereto as exhibits. All conductors shall be strung at a distance above the ground of not less than that specified by the National Elec- trical Safety Code in effect at the time of construction. There are no cuts, fills, treetles or bridges to be made in connec- tion with the use by the Company of the easements at any time and the contour of the land will remain as at present with the exception of planting the poles, tovers and structures herein provided for. (5) That as to each separate piece of property to be taken or damaged, the the names of the defendants who are joined as owners thereof, or of some interest therein (the Owners) are the following: BOOK 192 PAGE 195 PARCEL NO. 4: Ralph L. Dombrower, Jr Rosalie w. Dombrower, his wife 7309 w. Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia . (Henrico County)' Malcomb B. Dombrower Phillis B. Dombrower, his wife 4612 Stuart Avenue Richmond, Virginia PARCEL NO. 6A: Farrar A. Simons and Garnet N. Simons, his wife 6600 Berkshire Drive Alexandria, Virginia (Fairfax county) PARCEL NO. 6B R.H. L. Chichester, Trustee Commonwealth Attorney, Stafford County Stafford county court House Stafford, Virginia T. W. Sterne, Trustee 207 Butler Road Fredericksburg, Virginia (Stafford county) Ralph Metts, Trustee R. F. D. #1 Box 25 Stafford, Virginia (Stafford county) George L. Gordon, Jr. Trustee Commissioner of Revenue Stafford County Court House Stafford, Virginia PARCEL NO. 15: G. Spencer Barrett and . Marjorie L. Barrett, his wife --5O Grand Avenue Calsbad, California. B.Calvin Burns and Carole M. Bums, his wife. Ninde, Virginia (King George Cqunty) Grover P. Manderfield and Hilda W. Manderfield, his wife 73 Devils Reach Drive Woodbridge, Virginia PARCEL NO. 20: Clara K. Armstrong, unmarried 2525 North 10th Street Arlington Virgina (Arlington County) BOOK 192 PAGE 196 PARCEL NO. 20 Victor O. Armstrong, deceased Maria J. Medeiros Armstrong, his wife address unknown Jeanne C. Armstrong, daughter, minor address unknown Joanne S. Armstrong, daughter, minor address unknown Michael V. Armstrong, son, minor address unknown PARCEL NO. 32: Charles R. Beavers and Martha R Beavers, husband and wife 8821 Linton Lane Alexandria, Virginia (Fairfax County) Randolph I. Butler and Bernadette T. Butler, husband and wife R. F. D. No. 2 Box 738 Stafford, Virginia (Stafford County) Thomas M. Moncure, Trustee 6 Westmoreland Place Fredericksburg, Virgina PARCEL NO. 34: Lee Armstrong, Widower R. F. D. #1 Box 400 Stafford, Virginia (Stafford County) PARCEL No. 40: Nelson R. Crocker and June B. Crocker husband and wife R. F. D. #1 Box 576D Stafford, Virginia (Stafford County) PARCEL NO 43: Nelson R. Crocker and June B. Crocker husband and wife R. F. D. #1 Box 576D Stafford, Virginia (Stafford County) Leonard S. Lynch, Trustee 90 Maine Street Warrenton, Virginia John A. Jamison, Trustee 905 Charles Street Fredericksburg, Virginia PARCEL NO. 45A and 45B: Wilson H. Greenlaw, unmarried R. F. D. #2 Box 441 Hartwood, Virginia (Stafford County)) Leonard S. Lynch, Trustee 90 Maine Street Warrenton, Virginia Duvall Q. Hicks, Jr., Trustee 408 George Street Fredericksburg, Virginia John A. Jamison, Trustee 905 Charles Street Fredericksburg, Virginia PARCEL No. 46 Wilson H. Greenlaw, unmarried R. F. D. #2 Box 441 Hartwood, Virginia (Stafford County)) Grafton N. Greenlaw and Matilda G. Greenlaw, his wife R. F. D #2, Box 441 Hartwood, Virginia (Stafford County) Leonard S. Lynch, Trustee 90 Maine Street Warrenton, Virginia J. M. H. Willis, Trustee Law Building Fredericksburg, Virginia (6) That the estate interest or rights sougbt to be acquired are the perpetual rights, privileges and easements of right of way of 500 feet in width, except as otherwise herein- after set forth, as hereinabove and hereinafter more particularly described, over, upon and across the lands described herein situated in Stafford County, Virginia. The facilities erected on said easements of right of way shall remain the property of the Company and the Company shall have the right to inspect, rebuild, remove, repair, improve, relocate on said rights of way, and make such changes, altera- tions, substitutions, additions to or extensions of its facili- ties as the company may from time to time deem advisable. Company shall at times have the right to keep the right of way clear of all buildings or structures (except fences), trees, stymps, roots and undergrowth, and shall have the further right to trim or fell any tree outside the right of way which, in the opinion of Company, constitutes a hazard to or may en- danger the safe operation of its facilities. Such a tree shall be any tree which in falling or being felled could come withing ten feet of any conductor. All trees, limbs and undergrowth cut, felled or which fall within the right of way during any clearing of all or any part of the right of way by Company and all stumps and roots uprooted during any such clear- ing may be disposed of by Company withing six (6) months after such clearing. If Company elects not to dispose of any such trees, limbs, stumps, roots and undergrowth cut or uprooted by Company upon any part of said right of way during the initial clearing of that part of the right of way by Company, such trees, limbs, stumps, roots and undergrowth shall be placed by Company in piles on the right of way where they will not block streams or drainage ditches. All trees, limbs, stumps, roots and under- growth cut and uprooted by Company and not disposed of by Com- BOOK 192 PAGE 198 pany withing six (6) months after they are cut or uprooted shall be and remain the property of Owner. All trees and limbs cut, felled or which fall outside the right of way at any time shall be limbed, shall in general be left where they are felled or fall, but so as not to block streams or drainage ditches, and shall be and remain property of Owner. All trees felled outside the right of way six (6) months or more after Company has completed the initial construction of facilities on the right of way shall be paid for by Company at their then local market value. Subject to the other provisions hereof, Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to plant selective trees and shrubs within the right of way at public road crossings in wooded areas. For the purposes of constructing, inspecting, maintaining or operating its facilities, the Company shall have the right of ingress and egress from the rights of way over such private roads as may now or hereafter exist on the property of Owners. Any damages resulting to such private roads from such use shall be repaired by the Company at its expense. The right, however, is reserved to Owners to shift, relocate, close or abandon such private roads at any time. If there are no public or private roads reasonably convenient to rights of way, the Company shall have such right of ingress and egress over the property of Owners adjacent to the rights of way and lying between public or private roads and the rights of way, which right is to be exercises in such manner as shall occasion the least practi- cable damage and inconvenience to Owners. The Company shall be liable for all damages resulting from its exercise of the right of ingress and egress. The Company shall repair damage to roads, fences or other improvements and shall pay for any damage to crops, either BOOK 192 PAGE 199 inside or outside the rights of way, when such damage results from the construction, inspection or maintenance of the Company’s facilities, provided written notice thereof is given to the Company within thirty days after such damage occurs. Owners shall have the right to use the easements of right of way for any purpose not inconsistent with the rights hereby sought to be condemned including, but not limited to, the construction, maintenance and operation of underground sewer, gas, water or other underground utility pipe or conduit lines, septic tanks and drainage fields, provided, however, such use complies with the requirements of the National Electric Safety Code and does not interfere with or endanger the construction, operation or maintenance of the Company’s facilities, and, pro- vided further, that any roads, streets or railroad tracks here- after constructed on said rights of way shall cross the rights of way in such a manner that the angle of between the center line thereof and the centerline of the rights of way shall be not less than forty-five degrees. The Company may at any time require the relocation on the rights of way of such underground sewer and other utility pope or conduit lines, septic tanks and drainage fields, provided, however, the expense of such relocation is paid by the Company. Owners may construct and maintain fences upon the rights of way, but no buildings or other structures may be constructed thereon above ground except roads, streets and railroad tracks as hereinabove provided. Two types of structures may be erected on said right of way, namely, single poles or multiple poles, with or without crossarms, and self-supporting metal towers. The height of individual poles will not exceed a height of 120 feet. Metal towers will not exceed a height of 150 feet, and the measure- ment of tje base of the metal towers will not exceed 50 feet square. In no case will clearances of conductors be less than BOOK 192 PAGE 200 that specified for the voltages concerned by the National Elec- trical Safety Code in effect at the time of construction. The maximum height of conductors above ground level and overhead static wire will be the height of the pole or the tower at the point of attachment. The maximum voltage of lines constructed on said rights of way will in no case exceed 750,000 volts. No buildings or substations will be erected on the rights of way herein sought to be condemned. Low voltage transformers may, however, be mounted on poles. (7) That the easements sought to be acquired over, upon and across the lands of Owners, the location and bounds thereof, and the quantity of land included within said ease- ments are shown by plats of survey of the said easements of right of way attached hereto as exhibits, and are described as follows: [[[ See attachment ]]] BOOK 192 PAGE 206 (8) That there has been compliance with the provisions of Section 25-46.6 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, in that the Company, through its officers and agents, has made bona fide but ineffectual efforts to acquire the said easements of right of way by purchase from Owners, but said efforts have failed because Company and some of said Owners have been unable to agree on the price of the same, and because some of said Owners are infants, and because some of said Owners are unknown, and because some of said Owners cannot within reasonable dili- gence be found within the Commonwealth. (9) That the awards of the commissioners are to be in full and total payment for the rights of way; for all trees, undergrowth, or other obstructions withing the rights of way; for all trees outside the rights of way trimmed or felled during the initial construction of the Company’s facilities and within six months thereafter; for all the rights and privileges herein- above set forth; and for any damages to the residue of Owners’ lands. (10) That authority has been obtained from the Company’s Board of Directors for the acquisition of the rights, privelges and easements of right of way herein described. WHEREFORE, your Petitioner prays for judgment that the estates, interests, or rights hereinabove described be condemned and that the titles thereto be vested in your Petitioner; that just compensation for such rights of way to be taken and the damages, if any, to any other property, as a result of the taking and use by your Petitioner, beyond the peculiar benefits, if any, bu reason of such taking and use by your Petitioner, be ascertained and awareded; that distribution of such awards be made by the Court in the manner prescribed by lawl and for such other relief as may be lawful and property. Signed August 15, 1968.
Jenny Smith - resident at Poplar Grove Farm. The Kraken passes through nearly a half mile of our farm and will remove nearly 9 acres of trees.
The areas affected by this easement document are delineated in Land Book 187 beginning at page 20. They are numbered in ascending order from EAST to WEST, so lower numbers are closer to Aquia Harbor, and highest numbers are in Hartwood.
Parcel 4 is the Harper Tract (334 acres)
Parcel 6 A is at Aquia Creek and Austin's Run, at Coal Landing (11 acres)
Parcel 6 B is the west side of Government Island (1 acre)
Parcel 15 - no special name (87 acres)
Parcel 20 - no special name (26.25 acres)
Parcel 32 has no special name (85 acres) (Chancery Order Book 13 Page 52); seems to be the area of the Garrisonville substation
Parcel 34 is the Kindall Green/Heflin tract (150 acres); seems to be the present day site of Mountain View High School and Margaret Brent Elementary School
Parcel 40 is the west side of the Windsor Forest Tract (about 260 acres) ; now the current site of Poplar Estates Subdivision
Parcel 43 is Hampstead Tract (about 466 acres); current site of Hampstead Estates Subdivision
Parcels 45A, 45 B, and 46 are Park Farm (about 540 acres); current site of Park Farm on Hartwood Road
Jenny Smith - resident at Poplar Grove Farm. The Kraken passes through nearly a half mile of our farm and will remove nearly 9 acres of trees.
Attached is the illustration referenced above stating the scope of the project and illustrating limits on single pole and towers to be constructed within the easement. The height of these poles must be adjusted based on terrain. Right now, Dominion Energy has not shared any specific information with us regarding the heights of the poles to be included in the easements.
Jenny Smith - resident at Poplar Grove Farm. The Kraken passes through nearly a half mile of our farm and will remove nearly 9 acres of trees.
Here are the Land Books and Pages I have relating to the west most segments of the Kraken Loop project and the eminent domain seizure. THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE!!!! Look up your own records and ask for help at the desk.
Parcel 32 - Garrisonville substation
Land Book 135 page 585
Land Book 151 page 302
Land Book 187 page 20
Land Book 190 page 39
Chancery Book 13 page 52
Parcel 34 - MVHS/MBES
Land book 196 page 477
Land book 196 page 492
Parcel 40 - Poplar Estates
Land Book 192 page 209
Land Book 187 page 20
Land Book 192 page 193
Parcel 43 - Hampstead Estates
Land book 187 page 20
Land book 196 page 581
Chancery Order Book 13 page 52
Parcels 45A, 45 B, and 46 - Park Farm
Land book 192 page 354
Land book 192 page 371
Chancery Order Book 192 page 371
Chancery Order Book 192 page 391
Jenny Smith - resident at Poplar Grove Farm. The Kraken passes through nearly a half mile of our farm and will remove nearly 9 acres of trees.
How to print the original easement documents IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS IN ONE OF THOSE LISTED ABOVE:
- Go to the Stafford Courthouse Land Records division of the Circuit Court (when you're looking at the complex, it's the building on the right, up the big steps, through the glass doors to the metal detectors)
- Get a key from the officer on duty so you can leave your cell phone in a locker
- Exchange your key for a claim card so you can get your key back when you're finished.
- Pass through the metal detectors
- Go to your LEFT and follow the hallway all the way to the end. (Sometimes the big wood door is closed. Open it and keep going. On your left will be the double payment windows. Keep walking straight-ish. Next you'll see a room full of computers. You'll use these to look up your records. At the next desk you'll see attendants who can help you with questions.)
- Ask to see if there are already printouts at the desk for the parcel you're researching.
- If not, ask for a printer login code
- Return to the computers and use the screens to look up your records. You can start by using the Land Book numbers I've recorded above.
- Print what you need using the login and password
- Remember what the screen says you owe, or count the number of pages you printed.
- Pay for your printouts at the double payment windows you passed when you entered. (They take CASH or CREDIT with an extra fee.)
- Proceed out of the building by staying RIGHT at the hall
- Return your claim card to the officer at the desk to retrieve the key for your locked cell phone.
TIPS:
- leave your cell phone in your car to avoid the hassle
- bring cash to pay for print outs
- plan plenty of time -- the computers take a little bit of getting used to
- pay attention to the pulldowns -- check to be sure you're checking by the correct date and/or record book
- watch for dates - the original easements were made between 1963-1969
Jenny Smith - resident at Poplar Grove Farm. The Kraken passes through nearly a half mile of our farm and will remove nearly 9 acres of trees.
Huge Increase Foreseen In County Land Values By WILLIAM LAKEMAN
A year-long reassessment in Stafford County is going to raise the total value of land and buildings in the county from about $42 million to $60 million. That is the educated guess of Revenue Commissioner George L. Gordon Jr. on the basis of re-appraisals that have been completed so far in three of the four magisterial districts. The increase in total value is averaging about 51 per cent in Hartwood, Aquia and Rock Hill Districts, he said. It won't be quite that much, he figured, in the remaining Falmouth District, where there are no Interstate 95 interchanges to inflate land values. But the $31-million value compiled in the other three districts can be expected to almost double when the re-appraisal of Falmouth District is completed in about a month and added to the total, he said. Earlier guesses had figured anywhere from a 30 per cent to a 100 per cent jump in Stafford's land values when the new reassessment--first in six years -is posted on county land books. The indicated increase of nearly 43 per cent means that Stafford will have a. broader tax base on which to levy its property tax rate, now at $3.40, and can probably lower the rate somewhat next year. Gordon suggested to the county Board of Supervisors last night that a ratio of 40 per cent be used in transcribing the field appraisals of land and buildings assessments on the tax rolls. For example, a property that is appraised at $10,000 in "conservative fair market value." would be listed at $4,000 on the tax rolls. This is a change from the Stafford has used for the past 12 years, but it was agreed to readily by the supervisors. One reason for the quick agreement is that a 40-per cent ratio is also used by the State Corporation Commission in fixing the assessments on public utilities, like the Virginia Electric & Power Co. A $200-million power plant at Arkendale is planned by Vepco and the supervisors want to assure the coming windfall by promising equal treatment for utilities and private property. Other reasons were spelled out in a set of estimated figures by Gordon, projecting to the 1966 fiscal year.
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star-huge-increase-forsee/189537095/
Vepco Acquiring Rights For Line to Arkendale
Virginia Electric & Power Co. is acquiring rights of way for a power line across upper Stafford County that would link western Hartwood to Arkendale. It would connect a 500-kilovolt loop that is planned across the western tip of Stafford with the 650-acre tract at Arkendale where Vepco has announced lit will build a future power plant. Two rights of way for the cross-county link have been obtained: Moores Corner (from Oliver Fitzhugh) and at Poplar Road (from James G. Lewis) and recorded in the Stafford County clerk's office. A Vepco spokesman here said a Richmond office of the utility is handling the right-of-way acquisitions and so far as he knew there has been no change in the announced plans for starting the Arkendale project "sometime after 1966. He said he assumed that,Vepco is simply acquiring the rights of way before property along the route of the crosscounty line is overrun with development.
The Free Lance-Star, April 9, 1965, Page 11. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com /article/the-free-lance-star-aquiring-rights-know/189537696/ : accessed January 22, 2026)
"More disappointing for Stafford is the latest hint from Virginia Electric & Power Co. about a $200-million power plant it contemplates at Arkendale some day. It was the brightest star in Stafford's sky when it was first announced for "'sometime after 1966." Even the first state of its construction would double the county's tax base. But Vepco has already scheduled another project in Chesterfield County through 1969 and cannot say when the Arkendale project might be planned after that:"
The Free Lance-Star, September 15, 1965, Page 12. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star-disappointing/189537914/ : accessed January 22, 2026)
"The coming year. should see the opening of three projects that are household names of controversy talk in the county... And: beyond that is still the biggest sugar plum in Stafford's dreams the future Arkendale plant of Virginia Electric & Power Co., planned for "some-| time after 1966."
The Free Lance-Star, December 31, 1965, Page 15. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star-sugar-plum/189538054/ : accessed January 22, 2026),
The Free I. Lance - Star, Fredericksburg, 1966 Virginia 3 * Monday, June 27,
Nuclear Plan Won't Hurt Stafford Plans
Virginia Electric & Power Co.'s new plans for an atomic powered plant on the lower James River haven't dashed the Vepco project for : E a future generating station in Stafford County. "We're still holding that for future development," said Vepco senior vice president R. M.
Hutcheson today. But he admitted "Our plans for the Stafford site are indefinite at the moment."; Announced during the weekend was Vepco's bid calling for a nuclear -powered 750,000-kilowatt generating station, to be located on Hog Island in Surry County, across the James River from Fort Eustis. Construction is scheduled to begin next year on the $90- $95 million project, with com- - pletion in early 1971. For Stafford County the announcement sounded like another deferment for the giant million plant, with a 2-millionkilowatt capacity, which Vepco announced three years ago it planned at Arkendale. At that time: Vepco officials said that work on the first unit ($80 million and 800,000 kilo-; watts) would begin "sometime after 1966." Later it disclosed plans for a Chesterfield power station near Richmond, scheduled for completion in 1969 - a coal -fired unit with a 690,000-kilowatt capacity.
Stafford's hopes for the Arkendale project are reflected in the fact that even the first unit planned for the 650-acre Potomac River site would more than double the entire tax base of the county. Hutcheson pointed out the new plant at Hog Island would be designed for the Tidewater section of Virginia and it would be impractical to develop the Statford site for such an area, with the long transmission necessary. "The plan," he assured, "had nothing to do with the development or non-development of the Stafford site." Vepco president A. H. McDowell Jr. said that recent price increases for soft coal were a determining factor in deciding the Hog Island plant will be nuclearpowered. The project will include a rector in one building and a | generator in another. It will employ a staff of between 50 and 60 persons. McDowell also : noted "there [is ample isolated land (at the site) and ample condensing water to support a potential 2 1/2 to 3 million kilowatts." He said he did not think the power station on its .840 acres would threaten a 2,- 400-acre wildlife refuge which the Game and Inland Fisheries Commission* is developing nearby. Throughout the past year Vepco has continued to acquire right of -way easements in Stafford for a cross- county power line from the Arkendale site to the western tip of Stafford, where the 500-kilovolt power loop from Mt. Storm is nearing completion. The 540,000-kilowatt station at Mt. Storm, W. Va., is due to go into operation this year.
It will add to the 3.4-millionkilowatt capacity Vepco now generates for its 900,000 customers from plants in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia. The Hog Island unit will be a part of the power pool that Vepco jointly operates with three other utilities in North and South Carolina.
The Free Lance-Star, June 27, 1966, Page 3. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star/189538225/ : accessed January 22, 2026)
All of this brings to mind a fabulous disclosure three years ago in Stafford that Virginia Electric & Power Co. planned to build a $200-million power plant at Arkendale "'sometime after 1966." That too touched off dreams of a rich tax plum for Stafford even the first phase of the plant's construction would double the county's tax base and led to applications for industrial access funds from the state. But prospects for the Vepco plant have since been pushed back to sometime in the 1970s and the application for access funds is still pending. Vepco still is acquiring rights of way for a future cross county power line that would span west from the Arkendale plant when it is built, but other Vepco plants in Chesterfield and Surry County are going to be built first. There is probably some caution, therefore, in the alluring fancies that are now raising high hopes in Stafford again.
An all-out effort will be made, but. chickens won't be counted till they're hatched. Slagle hasn't promised it will happen. He has been openly candid in mentioning the competition and admitting the self-interest of Stafford Harbor in offering 500 acres free for the exposition site.
It would greatly enhance the plans of Stafford Har bor for the rest of the 4,700 acres, he said. But if the exposition is located elsewhere, Stafford Harbor will go ahead with the plans it was developing previously, he said, for a giant marina, a dam and lake, golf course, race track and d airport as well as town houses, terrace homes, apartments and single-family dwell ings. That would 1 be only a $300- million development with up to 30,000 people, he said, instead of something over $500 million with 35,000 to 50,000 people. And it would be spaced over 15-year timetable, instead of the rapid development that would come if Stafford Harbor is picked for the exposition that is to open in 1970.
The Free Lance-Star, December 15, 1966, Page 5. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star/189538530/ : accessed January 22, 2026)
Three Plant Sites Eyed by Vepco -: By WILLIAM LAKEMAN
Virginia Electric & Power Co. is eyeing three sites in the Fredericksburg-Northern Neck area for a second major nuclear power plant, similar to the one planned in Surry County. :: A 200-acre-tract at the tip of the Northern Neck in Northumberland County is reported to be one of the three sites under study. Another is an undisclosed site in the area of the proposed Salem Church dam on the Rappahannock River. 3 * The third is Vepco's 650-acre tract at Arkendale in Stafford County, which it purchased four years ago for a future powerplant site.
Company sources were quoted as listing these three as being under consideration following a Vepco disclosure in Richmond yesterday that a second nuclearpowered plant is contemplated in the Fredericksburg - Northern Neck area. The facility was described as costing $300 million, with two generating units of at least 800,000 kilowatts each and slated for completion in 1974. The disclosure came in a statement by Vepco president John M. McGurn to a gathering of security analysts and in a" statement issued later by Vepco to answer rumors in Northumberland County of plans for a nuclear plant, The latter statement termed. the Northumberland tract only See VEPCO, Page 3 On the Inside TIME, TIDE AND curious humans bare the remains of ancient creatures along the Potomac River waterfront.
*one. of several sites under investigation." It is a spur at Demmeron Marsh four miles east of Wicomico Church. McGurn told a luncheon audience that the nuclear plant would serve the northern end of a triangle between Washington, Richmond and Hampton; The twin statements revive what has become almost an annual speculation about Vepco's future power plans since it acquired the Stafford County site in 1963 with the announcement that a $200-ture million generating plant was slated there "sometime after 1966." Construction of a Chesterfield County plant and the start of the nuclear plans in Surry County have since pushed the Vepco timetable for the Stafford site indefinitely into sometime in the 1970s. Vepco president McGurn declined to be more specific today about the site that is reported under study in the area of the Salem Church dam.
It is "only in the Sharply thinking stage," another company source said. The company confirmed, however, that it holds options on some of the 200-acre site in Northumberland in order to carry out boring tests to determine underground rock formation. The Atomic Energy Commission requires that all nuclear plants be built on rock A little -noticed fact in the plant-site speculations is that the State Water Control Board recently turned down a Vepco request for a waiver of temperature ceilings in the water quality standards set for the Potomac River near the Arkendale site in Stafford, The same temperature ceiling is proposed by the water board for water -quality standards on the Rappahannock River in the area of the proposed Salem Church dam. The celling, which bans any sudden temperature change in the waters due to release of heated water into the river, would seem to inhibit location of a nuclear generating plant nearby.
in the past Vepco officials said that one deterrent to the Northumberland site is its distance from the growing urban corridor between Washington and Richmond as well as the Vepco power loop to Mt. Storm, West Va., and other linking lines. But they also noted, during a bright forecast of trends, that coal -transportation costs are rising. Two years ago when Vepco disclosed its plans for the nuclear plant in Surry County, the rising cost of coal transportation by rail was given as a leading factor in the choice of the Surry site, The Surry tract, now in site preparation, is scheduled to go into operation In 1972, It was originally estimated to cost $200 million, but is now expected to total about $300 million,.
The Free Lance-Star, October 5, 1967, Page 1. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star/189539007/ : accessed January 22, 2026), clip page by user jenny2605
Electric & Power Co. was promised full county cooperation if it should decide on its Arkendale tract for a nuclear powered plant. Abel at first questioned whether the resolution was necessary but promptly seconded it when Metts said that Vepco is now studying four sites for the plant and will announce its choice in January.
The Free Lance-Star, December 14, 1967, Page 21. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star-county-help-continge/189537436/ : accessed January 22, 2026)
The difference is that the high dreams of a year ago have come down to a practical realization that tough problems are ahead. This year saw the most glittering dream of all, a half-billion-dollar Exposition of Science and Industry, vaporize apparently with the loss of Stafford Harbor Corporation's president. The subdued reaction is noticeable now to the site-searching of Virginia Electric & Power Co. for an atomic -powered plant.
Stafford made a formed promise of cooperation if Vepco picks the Arkendale tract it owns for the site. But it's not getting on that roller coaster of high hopes again. Caution prevades now because the crystal ball was cracked pretty badly in 1967 and the current uncertainties make it foolish to prophesy again.
The Free Lance-Star, December 28, 1967, Page 16. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star/189539509/ : accessed January 22, 2026)
A reply letter from Virginia Electric & Power Co, was received, thanking Stafford for a promise of cooperation if the Arkendale site is picked for Vepco's planned nuclear power plant.
The Free Lance-Star, January 11, 1968, Page 5. via Newspapers.com ( https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star/189539903/ : accessed January 22, 2026)
