Prince William supervisors shoot down two proposed lines for Nokesville to Bristow transmission project

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors on July 14 unanimously approved a resolution effectively eliminating the "blue" and "light blue" routes for Dominion Energy’s Nokesville to Bristow 230 kilovolt Electric Transmission Line project. The resolution states the board will not grant Dominion Energy access to county property or easements for these proposed routes (5 and 12).

Dominion Energy confirmed the official elimination of the blue route, citing the county's refusal to grant easements. Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy-R, whose district includes the affected property, lauded the resolution as a victory for residents of Braemar, Victory Lakes, and Saybrooke, emphasizing the power of community advocacy. Gordy also stressed the importance of preserving the Broad Run Linear Park’s tree preserve, where the eliminated routes would have encroached in six locations, and advocated for undergrounding the transmission lines. STACK Infrastructure has reportedly devoted space at its Bristow site for a switching station to facilitate this undergrounding.

Chair Deshundra Jefferson and Occoquan Supervisor Kenny Boddye echoed the sentiment of a unified board decision, emphasizing it was non-political. The final decision on the entire project rests with the Richmond-based State Corporation Commission, though Dominion Energy has yet to make a formal submission, pending additional community input. Community opposition, spearheaded by groups like the Save Braemar Coalition, expressed relief over the elimination of routes near homes and schools, while continuing to advocate for undergrounding the lines along Route 28.