Pittsylvania Board of Supervisors denies Balico rezoning application

CHATHAM, Va. — In a win for Pittsylvania County residents seeking to stop a gas-powered plant that would be the largest in Virginia, the County’s Board of Supervisors rejected Balico, LLC’s rezoning application. 

The April 15 public hearing and vote occurred after the Board refused to grant the applicant’s request to withdraw its application and to be allowed to resubmit a similar proposal at any time. The Board had allowed the vote to be postponed twice previously before rejecting a third request for delay. 

Residents took the podium to speak out against Balico’s proposal, which has loomed over the county for more than six months. After hours of testimony, the Board of Supervisors denied the application in a 6-1 vote. 

Katie Whitehead is part of a group of residents fighting the proposed gas-fired power plant and initial 12 data center campus. 

“Denial of Balico’s rezoning request shows respect for our comprehensive plan and concern for the many people whose health would be harmed by gas-fired power generation,” Whitehead said following the vote.

Balico submitted its first application for rezoning in October 2024 but withdrew it in the face of strong community opposition. In November, it submitted a revised application that featured the same proposal for a 3,500-megawatt gas plant, but fewer data centers on a smaller total acreage. Balico still holds purchase options for the originally proposed 2,200 acres. 

“We and our clients applaud the many local residents who made it clear to their elected officials that Balico’s gas plant and data center campus would upend the County’s vision for this area, and we commend the Board for hearing them. Looking ahead, County residents will need to continue their efforts with the upcoming update to the comprehensive plan and ensure that it continues to reflect their values and their vision for the communities where they live,” said Morgan Butler, a senior attorney at SELC.

The Board’s denial bars Balico from resubmitting a substantially similar proposal for 12 months.