A “No MEC” sign stands on the side of the road in Person County leading up to the site of the future Moriah Energy Center. Advocates working to stop or delay the construction of MEC have posted signs like this one around the county. | Photo by Kelly Kendall
Story by Kelly Kendall
ANCHOR INTRO:
Now to Person County. Dozens of residents there have organized to stop a natural gas energy plant from being built in their otherwise rural county. Reporter Kelly Kendall learned more about the Moriah Energy Center and has more on this controversial move for Person County.
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Elissa Huffstetler and Theresa Ahrens both moved to Person County within the past few years. They live in the same retirement community and describe each other as more like sisters than friends. They moved to the region to enjoy the peace and quiet…they did…at least for a little while.
Elissa 3:06-3:13 “It’s so very quiet here.”
In September 2023, Huffsetler and Ahrens found out they’d be getting a new neighbor just a mile and a half from their homes. Moriah Energy Center, a 25-million-gallon Liquified Natural Gas storage facility operated by Dominion Energy, was moving in. And with it the concerns over the environmental and human cost.
Theresa Ahrens, No MEC Organizer
Theresa 10:32-10:38: “This has the potential to destroy both our clean air and our clean water.”
Initial estimates indicate Moriah Energy Center could emit 65,000 tons of climate-changing greenhouse gases per year. But it didn’t stop with the air.
Elissa Huffstetler, No MEC Organizer
Elissa 18:55- “We all rely on our wells, so if our wells get contaminated or our soil gets contaminated, we could not sell our homes.”
Despite these concerns and many more, the Person County Board of Commissioners approved the 500-acre methane gas site with little fanfare, It drove the pair of women to start a movement called No MEC, with the goal of stopping the site from being built or at least delay the process.
*Nat pop of Andrea Childers from board meeting*: “Shame on each and every one of you!”
One of No MEC’s most vocal advocates is Andrea Childers. She’s lived in Person County for 31 years in a secluded home half a mile from the MEC site.
Andrea Childers, Person County Resident, No MEC Member
20:01-20:15 “They are turning this entire county into a sacrifice zone. There will not be one person in this county who is not impacted monetarily, health-wise, by this.”
The group compiled a list of nearly 200 questions from the community for Dominion in December 2023. As of the end of March 2024, those questions have still not been answered.
Theresa Ahrens, No MEC Organizer
Theresa 22:18-22:32: “Somebody talk to us. Give us assurances. Work with us. If we’re going to be neighbors, then let’s be neighbors, and let us understand what it is.”
Construction on the site has already begun, and with no answers, residents of Person County fear the worst.
Andrea Childers, Person County Resident, No MEC Member
21:28-21:35 “I fear at one point, we may end up having to abandon our home.”
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Huffstetler and Ahrens say no matter what happens, they want to be able to look at their friends and family and say they did everything they can. In Person County, I’m Kelly Kendall.
