Neighbors in Ashburn battle Dominion's transmission line plans

The Struggle Over Power Lines in Loudoun County

As the demand for energy to power data centers in Northern Virginia continues to grow, a critical debate is emerging over where to place high-powered transmission lines. This has placed one community in Loudoun County, Virginia, on the defensive as they fight against the potential installation of towering 500kV transmission lines near their homes.

Dominion Energy is working on a reliability loop to supply power to the so-called Data Center Alley in Ashburn. Two routes have already been approved and are under construction, connecting substations to over 100 data centers in the area. However, the final portion of the loop requires determining which route is most acceptable for more developed areas of town.

A group of residents in Loudoun Valley Estates has come together to oppose the placement of 165-foot-high transmission lines on their properties as part of one proposed route. One homeowner, Vicky Hu, feels blindsided by the new route that was added this year, which shifted the transmission line from the Rock Ridge High School grounds up the nearby hill, cutting her backyard in half.

Hu has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years and raised her daughter there. She values the natural beauty of the area, which was a key factor in her decision to move from Fairfax County. She also sold many homes in the community. Her yard is projected to have one of the massive towers placed in it under the proposed Route 3a. There is even the possibility that eminent domain laws could force her out of her home if the State Corporation Commission approves the route and the lines come too close to her house.

Even if she remains in her home, Hu and her husband fear significant property devaluation due to the tower looming over their house and the clearing of trees from the cliffside. “The house is going to be worthless if they put a power line there,” Hu said. “We want to live next to a power line? And the whole reason we bought the house in Ashburn is because of the view, the nature, the wildlife.”

Dominion has stated that they will assess the fair market value of the properties needed for the project and attempt to negotiate with impacted homeowners along that route. They do not plan to approach the owners unless Route 3a is selected. If chosen, Dominion would approach residents to discuss an easement, allowing them to use the property while restricting certain activities.

The Loudoun County School Board voted against two of the proposed routes that touched the grounds of Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School and Rock Ridge High School, requesting that the lines be buried instead. Route 3a was then added to the proposal, impacting Hu and her neighbors.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors supported Route 4, which runs parallel to the high school, and requested that no power lines be built within 500 feet of any residence or public school without being buried. However, they have no enforcement authority over these requests.

In response to the board's concerns, Dominion spokesperson Aisha Khan mentioned that a feasibility study was conducted on burying 500kV power lines. The only other instance of such a project in the country is in California. Several factors make burying the lines in Ashburn impractical, including acreage needed for entry points and water supply challenges.

Residents like Kerry Canfield argue that it’s time for the county to understand what’s coming and push for underground power lines. Many of Hu’s neighbors attended a Loudoun County School Board meeting to request the school play a role in the SCC case, seeking details on the proposed routes and filing comments before the board rules on the selected route.

Eight supervisors voted in favor of participating in the case, with one abstaining. Richardson hopes to talk with the School Board again about the possibility of the two routes that touch their property. He noted that Route 3a is not the preferred route, and the problem with Route 3 is that the school system must approve it.

One of the proposed routes runs mostly along the Loudoun County Parkway, but the Board of Supervisors voted against supporting it due to concerns about power lines along the road. However, the state commission could still select that route as the best option after hearing the case.

If the power lines are not built, it could create a major energy gap for the data centers in the area. Dominion warned that violations could occur if the needed power isn’t supplied by June 2028, the projected date the project will come online. Without sufficient transmission lines, equipment damage and other challenges could arise.

A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Rock Ridge High School, with an official State Corporation Commission hearing set for Dec. 15. The outcome of these hearings will determine the future of the transmission lines and the impact on the local community.