Loudoun Residents, Government Push Undergrounding Amid Route 7 Power Lines Hearing

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — As the State Corporation Commission considers Dominion Energy's proposed transmission lines along Route 7 project, Loudoun County is encouraging residents to participate in the public hearing. The county and local residents are pushing for an undergrounding power lines alternative.

The State Corporation Commission's public hearing will happen on Thursday, Sept. 5 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA.

The public hearing is for Dominion Energy's plan for the Aspen-Golden and Apollo-Twin Creeks electric transmission facilities, which would include 9.4 miles of overhead transmission lines between the Aspen and Golden substations. The proposed route near Goose Creek and Belmont Ridge Road, along the south side of Route 7, and parallel to Loudoun County Parkway. Dominion Energy says it needs new infrastructure and upgrades to improve reliability to homes, commercial buildings, data centers and government services.

Lansdowne Conservancy and Loudoun County are advocating for undergrounding of the electric lines between Aspen and Golden substations. The county said in a statement that underground lines "will preserve the quality of life, viewsheds, and character of the community for the residents, businesses, and visitors to area in which the global data center industry is located." The county is calling for a pilot program to distribute the undergrounding cost.

The State Corporation Commission already held a virtual public hearing on Aug. 6 and has received public comments in support of undergrounding electric lines. According to Loudoun Now, Dominion Energy did a feasibility study and labeled undergrounding as "impractical" and costly.

Tom Jeavons, president of the Lansdowne Conservancy mixed-use property owner association, said it is located adjacent to the proposed tower and electric lines.

"Our community overwhelmingly supports undergrounding," said Jeavons. "To be clear, we do not seek to block the development of data centers or the provision of electronic service within our area, but to mitigate the negative impact of high voltage above-ground power lines by supporting them to be placed underground in sensitive areas where it's feasible to do so."

Kevin Carter, managing director at Lansdowne Resort, supported the undergrounding and said guests value the scenic aspect of the resort.

"The pressure for economic growth is understood, and we appreciate that," Carter said at an August public hearing. "But I would like for you to help our business and the local residents in Lansdowne from being negatively impacted by these power lines. And our encouragement is that you insist that these go underground. I think that's a good compromise. Albeit more expensive, will in the long run be the best answer for our community and for our business."

Mary Badger, a representative for the 55 and over Regency at Belmont homeowners in Ashburn, said underground lines are a better alternative than electric towers disrupting residents' views.

"Residents want to preserve Loudoun County's rich history and beautiful viewshed," Badger said at the hearing. "We understand this is a balancing act of preservation versus economic growth. However, no monetary value can be placed on the impact these towers will have on Loudoun County; it is immeasurable. And once lost, it will remain lost forever."

William Wright, a Lansdowne on the Potomac resident who spoke at the hearing, noted property value concerns, a need to balance community desires and data center needs, and Inova Loudoun Hospital medevac concerns with electric towers.

"We also know that Data Center Alley is going to see increased energy demands over time, just with the fact of Al coming into play and the amount of energy it's going to create, or the demand for energy that that is going to create," said Wright. "It's going to multiply exponentially. So we know that there needs to be a long-term solution. That's why we want to take a look at undergrounding now. Now is the time to do it."

The State Corporation Commission will take public comments online by Sept. 10 through the online comment forms for the Aspen-Golden project and the Apollo-Twin Creeks project. In-person speakers at the Sept. 5 public hearing should arrive 15 minutes before the meeting and register with the commission’s bailiff. Each speaker will be given five minutes for comments.

Written comments may also be submitted by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments should reference case number PUR-2024-00032 or PUR-2024-00044.