Supervisors delay vote on controversial substation in Nokesville needed to power data centers

Prince William County Supervisors have postponed a decision on a contentious electrical substation proposed by Dominion Energy near Vint Hill Road in Nokesville, Virginia. The substation is deemed essential to meet rising power demands from data centers in western Prince William County, with officials warning of potential brownouts by 2027 if the infrastructure is not expanded. However, the project has drawn significant backlash from local community groups, including the Save Braemar Coalition and the Civic Association of Brentsville and Surrounding Areas, who voiced concerns about the substation's use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a potent greenhouse gas, and the potential "industrialization" of their residential area.

During a recent meeting, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 to defer the special-use permit vote until September 22, criticizing Dominion Energy representatives for their lack of preparedness and inability to adequately address questions regarding SF6, its environmental impact, and explored alternatives. Supervisors George Stewart, Jeannie LeCroix, and Tom Gordy expressed dissatisfaction with Dominion's responses, particularly concerning the safety and cost implications of alternative technologies to SF6. Community opponents, while seeing the deferral as a partial victory, expressed disappointment that the application was not outright denied, emphasizing that Dominion representatives stated they could not mitigate the gas usage or change the project's design.