Valley Link rep talks project rationale

Valley Link, a joint venture of Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, and Transource, is proposing a 115-mile, 765-kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line project across nine counties in Central Virginia. The Joshua Falls-Yeat Electric Transmission Line Project, expected to be completed by 2029, is designed to meet the rising energy demand, which senior communications specialist Craig Carper of Dominion Energy states is the greatest boom since post-World War II, largely influenced by rapid data center expansion in Virginia and the broader PJM region. The project is facing strong local opposition, particularly from Louisa County. On March 16, the Louisa County Board of Supervisors (BoS) unanimously passed a resolution "strongly opposing" the Valley Link project, citing concerns about irreparable harm to the county's rural character, agricultural heritage, forestlands, and potential decrease in property values. Mineral District Supervisor and Chairman Duane Adams emphasized that the project is not a "done deal," noting that the Yeat substation in Culpeper still requires zoning and approval from the Culpeper Board of Supervisors. The Louisa County Planning Commission also passed a similar resolution, highlighting impacts on land designated for a new school and existing businesses. Valley Link representatives held open houses to gather community feedback, which will be incorporated into revised maps due in June before a formal submission to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) in September. The SCC will then conduct its own evaluation, with a final recommendation anticipated by September 2027. While Dominion Energy asserts a legal requirement to meet power needs, including those of data centers, local officials like Louisa District school board member Billy Seay argue that the transmission line primarily benefits data centers in Northern Virginia without direct benefit to Louisa County residents. The power of eminent domain remains an option for securing easements, though Valley Link aims for the lowest possible impact.