The Southern Environmental Law Center filed legal challenges today to the state's approval of a $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant that Dominion Virginia Power plans to build in Wise County in Southwest Virginia.

Two filings in Richmond Circuit Court challenge the state Air Pollution Control Board's vote last month to issue two permits for the plant.

The third filing in Virginia Supreme Court challenges the State Corporation Commission's approval of the plant in March.

The law center filed the challenges on behalf of four environmental groups - the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Sierra Club.

Among other claims, the groups say the air board failed to limit emissions of carbon dioxide, which is linked to global warming.

Spokesmen for the state Department of Environmental Quality, which provides staff to the air board, and for the SCC had no comment.

Supporters say the plant would have modern pollution controls and would provide revenue for Wise County.

-- Rex Springston