Commonwealth tells new ownership group a few conditions for takeover of Lake Anne cooling system.
The purchase of the Lake Anne-area's RELAC cooling system is nearly complete pending a few conditions from the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The SCC on April 30 approved the transfer of ownership with a few financial and legal specifics (see PDF attached to this story). Reston RELAC, a group comprised of local businessmen Michael Coleman, Craig Nyman and Mark Waddell, filed a proposal with the Virginia SCC in October. They are seeking to purchase the operation back from Aqua Virginia, which has run the system for nearly 10 years. The purchase price has not been disclosed. Waddell said in March the petitioners have gone through three sets of interrogative questions from the SCC. The SCC staff then filed a Staff Report approving …
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Local group seeking to purchase Lake Anne water-powered cooling system needs public comments.
The group seeking to purchase the Lake Anne-area's RELAC cooling system will have to wait a while longer to know whether the transaction will go through. Reston RELAC, comprised of local businessmen Michael Coleman, Craig Nyman and Mark Waddell, filed a proposal with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission in October. They are seeking to purchase the operation back from Aqua Virginia, which has run the system for nearly 10 years. The purchase price has not been disclosed. Waddell said in an email on Thursday they had hoped the deal deadline could be sped up because cooling season in late May is fast approaching. However, Fairfax County requested the public comment period be extended to March 29. The 180-day State …
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2:13 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
For the past three years our cooling bill has been over $2000 per season. We feel very stuck since we are forced to use RELAC. In addition to the water cooling system we have to run fans in most of the rooms. We hope that by putting the system under local management, costs would come down and management would be more attentive to the local needs. Jean Boston 11434 Waterview Cluster more ›
Local men want to take Lake Anne's unique water-run system back from Aqua Virginia.
A group of local businessmen is putting together a bid to purchase Reston's RELAC system from Aqua Virginia and improve and operate the aging water-based cooling system near Lake Anne. RELAC - or Reston Lake Anne Air Conditioning Corporation - has been the cooling system for about 300 Lake Anne-area homes since the mid-1960s. The system is powered by recirculated lake water from Lake Anne. Touted as state-of-the-art when it was built, nearly 50 years later it is oft-criticized for being inefficient. Keep up with all Reston news by subscribing to our free newsletter. Get the news delivered to your inbox daily by clicking here. The proposal, filed with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission in October, says the new RELAC …
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8:47 am on Friday, February 8, 2013
-I am interested in and a little hopeful about a local group owning and operating this decrepit and failing system. Charlie has it right--it is doubtful anything could be worse than AQUA VA which has proved to be deceitful as well as incompetent and totally unresponsive. Also good that RA appears ready to actually play a positive role to help assure we are not getting another bad deal. Trouble is… more ›
After a summer of drought in which the water level at Reston's Lake Anne were more than a foot below typical levels, the lake appeared to be in much better shape by Monday afternoon. Lake Anne residents report the water line was back to normal (and rising) by mid-day as the effects of Hurricane Sandy started to come through the area. Several more inches of rain - along with high winds - are expected through Monday night and into Tuesday.
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11:59 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
If there is a Silver Lining to this storm...this is it! more ›
Reston Association authorizes water to flow in order to keep RELAC running.
Lake Anne-area residents who rely on RELAC for air conditioning may be getting some help from their neighbors on Lake Newport. Reston Association officials say that the levels at Lake Anne are the lowest in nearly 40 years, making it nearly an emergency situation for residents who depend on the lake water-cooled air conditioning system. About 300 homes near historic Lake Anne Plaza are cooled by RELAC (Reston Lake Anne Air Conditioning Corporation), a mandatory system that was put in place in the mid-1960s. Lake Anne is 22 inches below normal, RA officials said. "The water level in Lake Anne is at its lowest point in nearly 40 years as a result of the lack of rainfall this season and the 'by-right' taking of water from the lake by Hidden …
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7:29 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Has anyone checked to see if there is a leak in the dam or a below water level leak in the spillway? more ›
With Lake Anne way below typical water level, can water-run cooling system keep up?
Signs of drought can be seen all over Reston: withering flowers, browning lawns and low water levels in Reston's lakes. But what is a sore sight for Reston boaters and other nature lovers may be a much bigger issue for Lake Anne-area residents. About 300 homes near historic Lake Anne Plaza are cooled by RELAC (Reston Lake Anne Air Conditioning Corporation), a system that uses recirculated lake water. RELAC is now operated by Aqua Virginia, which says it has brought in a secondary pump to aid operations until water levels are back to normal. Reston Association President Ken Knueven says the water level at Lake Anne is about three feet below where it should be. Meanwhile, average July precipitation here is 3.67 inches. As of July 19, 0.76 …
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8:07 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
No one is blaming Hidden Creek for the low water levels. That is due to the weather (heat and lack of rain). They have asked them to help out by not pumping out as much water for lawn maintenance until significant rain raises the water level. more ›
Distraught man near Lake Anne causes search, lockdown.
Fairfax County Police said Lake Anne Elementary was briefly on lockdown Friday morning as police were trying to find a man who was distraught and threatening suicide. Police said the man was threatening to harm himself about 11 a.m. Friday. Witnesses told police the man went onto one of the bike paths in the Lake Anne area. Police said they did not know if the man was armed. The police helicopters and the K9 unit were called to help locate the man, who was later safely found. They said the school was on lockdown as a precaution.
12:03 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
So grateful the school took the right precautions.....I have a little one in that school and would be very upset if something bad had happened.....Great move on the part of the school staff!! more ›
Fairfax County seeks developers to redo aging affordable housing neighborhood and spark Lake Anne revitalization.
Fairfax County has opened up Requests for Proposals (RFP) for developers interested in redeveloping the 16-acre, 181-unit Crescent Apartments near Lake Anne. Barbara Byron, director of the county's Office of Community Revitalization, says the county, which purchased Crescent as an affordable housing development in 2006, hopes redevelopment will spur revitalization around Lake Anne. "We are looking for people who want to create high-quality, multifamily, pedestrian-friendly," she said at a community meeting at Reston Community Center - Lake Anne on Wednesday. "Foremost, we want to bring people to Lake Anne so retail and restaurants can thrive." Both Byron and Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said a key part of the redevelopment would be…
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12:08 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
I would love to see Lake Anne brought up to its full potential. As a neighbor I am concerned about the affordable housing situation at the crescent. A man was shot and killed in that parking lot in September. I understand and support the idea of affordable housing, but I think that there should be a serious review of exactly who is living there and why. more ›
Phase II, slated to begin in late spring 2012, will concentrate on neighborhoods and village centers.
Residents eager to hear about Reston's future came to South Lakes High School on Wednesday to Fairfax County Planner Heidi Merkel outline the next part of the Master Plan Special Study process, which will concentrate on residential and village centers. Merkel says the Master Plan Special Study Phase II process will likely begin late next spring after Phase I is expected to be completed. Phase I, which will guide density and development in the areas around Reston's future Metorail stations, has been going on for more than 18 months. Ideally, Phase II will take three months, Merkel said. Merkel says both phases are necessary to accommodate changes as the original Master Plan was formulated nearly 50 years ago. "The bottom line, is future …
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1:55 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Development in Fairfax County is a CLASSIC example of why we now have the 99 percenters and OWS movements...it's an example fo "Governement by the special interests and for the special interests...with taxpayers footing the bill." In one of the recent posts, a writer referred to a Fairfax County official ... you know, one of those people that's being paid by US, as stating essentiallly every old … more ›
Flash mob dances its way through Lake Anne Saturday.
A flash mob took over the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne on Saturday morning. The dancers had been practicing for the event for weeks. It actually was a return of the flash mob, which danced last fall.
9:44 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
How Fun! Looks similar to the Let Your Yoga Dance that I want to start teaching. How is this organized? more ›
Linda L. Holloway
7:20 am on Thursday, May 9, 2013
Our air conditioning has always been very efficient, and we want to remain on this centralized, environmentally friendly system. more ›