Prince William supervisors defer decision on Dominion Energy's Vint Hill substation

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted 5-2 to impose a 90-day deferral on Dominion Energy's special use permit application for the Vint Hill gas-insulated switching station in Nokesville. The proposal, located on 23 acres adjacent to the Braemar residential community, aims to replace an existing switching station with new 500 kV and 230 kV infrastructure, including gas-insulated technology.

Opposition from residents and some supervisors was robust, primarily centering on the use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas, which has harmful atmospheric effects. Supervisors Tom Gordy and George Stewart highlighted alternatives to SF6 used by other companies like NextEra, Hitachi, and General Electric, and criticized Dominion representatives for not bringing gas experts to the meeting. Resident groups, including the Save Braemar Coalition and the Coalition to Protect Prince William County, expressed deep concern, with Lisa Cullen stating, "We are united, organized, and completely exhausted by the out-of-control infrastructure built to serve corporate data centers."

Brentsville Supervisor Tom Gordy, whose district encompasses the project, initiated the deferral, citing insufficient information from Dominion. Conversely, Gainesville District Supervisor George Stewart and Woodbridge Supervisor Jeannie LaCroix dissented, arguing for an outright denial of the project. Following the decision, residents expressed dismay, having preferred a denial, while Chair Deshundra Jefferson apologized for the