ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE URGING OPPONENTS TO A PROPOSED 1.8 BILLION DOLLAR COAL FIRED POWER PLANT IN WISE COUNTY TO BOYCOTT A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT. THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WILL HOST THE EVENT AT ST. PAUL HIGH SCHOOL. MEANWHILE, THE COAL INDUSTRY IS URGING PLANT SUPPORTERS TO PACK OUT THE MEETING AND SPEAK IN FAVOR OF A POLLUTION PERMIT FOR THE FACILITY. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECIDED NEARLY FOUR YEARS AGO TO BUILD THE POWER PLANT AND WISE COUNTY LEADERS RECRUITED THE PROJECT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE FACILITY WOULD BURN VIRGINIA COAL AND WOULD SEVERAL JOBS TO THE AREA. THE MEETING TONIGHT STARTS AT SIX O’CLOCK IN THE ST. PAUL HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.