Ten of the "Tredegar 12" decided to accept community service instead of risking jail for their roles in a protest that blocked Dominion Resources' headquarters last month.

The protest, aimed at the utility holding company's plan to build a coal-fired power plant in Wise County, blocked the entrance to Dominion's headquarters on Tredegar Street in Richmond on June 30 and snarled morning commuter traffic as far west as the Powhite Parkway. Four protesters linked themselves to concrete-filled containers across the street, while a fifth dangled by harness from the pedestrian bridge that crosses to Belle Isle.

Under plea agreements approved yesterday, nine of the protesters will perform 200 hours of community service in Richmond, but they won't have misdemeanor charges of obstructing justice and blocking a rescue vehicle on their records. General District Judge Thomas O. Jones delayed all of the cases for a year to allow the service to be completed.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Toni M. Randall said the arrangement respects their right to protest but requires community service because of the disruption they caused.

The toughest term was given to Marley M. Green, a 22-year-old James Madison University student who dangled over the street. He is required to perform 225 hours of community service in Richmond.

"I went into this knowing that there would be consequences and was prepared for it," Green said yesterday.

Two protestors, Laura Van Dohlen of Charlottesville and Lara Mack of Harrisonburg, declined the plea bargain. They are scheduled to stand trial Sept. 18.

"We feel like we are innocent of the charges that they brought against us, so it's in our best interest to go to trial," said Mack, who stood with Van Dohlen on the pedestrian bridge June 30.

Meanwhile, the State Water Control Board voted 6-0 yesterday, with one abstention, to give Dominion Virginia Power a permit to begin building a 330-acre landfill at the power plant site where ash will be stored. The utility still needs a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality to operate the landfill.
Contact Michael Martz at (804) 649-6964 or mmartz@timesdispatch.com.