Ashburn residents oppose Dominion Energy transmission lines for data center
Residents in an Ashburn subdivision are fighting Dominion Energy's plan to build 185-foot power lines through their neighborhood to supply an Amazon data center. Despite widespread community opposition, the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the controversial Route 3A for construction. An alternative route was rejected by the Loudoun County School Board due to proximity to a high school.
Residents of an Ashburn, Virginia, subdivision are challenging Dominion Energy's proposal to construct massive 185-foot power lines through their community. These lines are intended to meet the growing energy demands of data centers in the county, specifically an Amazon data center located about half a mile away. Resident Vicky Hu, who has lived in her home for over 20 years, expressed her dismay, stating the proposed lines would significantly impact her family's quality of life and retirement plans, calling the proposal "unthinkable" given the widespread community opposition.
Despite the protests from numerous neighbors, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) approved Route 3A for the transmission lines. The SCC's order acknowledged that an alternative, Route 4, would have been less impactful but was blocked by the Loudoun County School Board due to its proximity to Rock Ridge High School. A spokesperson for the SCC noted that while many residents participated in the case, their preferred option of placing lines underground was deemed financially unfeasible.