GOOCHLAND, Va.—Residents like Deborah Blackburn are expressing concerns over the proposed Valley Link transmission line project, which would benefit Northern Virginia data centers but alter the rural landscape near Richmond. “We don’t want it,” said Blackburn, who values the natural environment on her property.
The Valley Link project is a 765-kilovolt transmission line system to be constructed by Dominion Energy, Transource, and FirstEnergy. It involves building towers as tall as 12-story buildings and is currently under discussion in Goochland County. A section of the line would begin at the Joshua Falls substation in Campbell County, extending over 100 miles northeast to the Yeat substation in Culpeper County.
This project is intended to support Virginia’s expanding data center industry, concentrated in Northern Virginia. The Goochland Board of Supervisors recently approved a technology overlay district to restrict data center development to specific areas. However, some residents have filed a lawsuit against the district, arguing it could lead to zoning inconsistencies.
In addition to the Joshua Falls segment, Valley Link includes the Valley North line, connecting West Virginia to Maryland, and a Thornburg substation in Caroline County. These components are part of efforts to enhance grid reliability and facilitate data center growth. Critics argue that the project prioritizes urban areas at the expense of rural communities, where homeowners fear losing their natural surroundings.
PJM Interconnection approved the project in 2025, but Virginia’s State Corporation Commission will decide on the final route and permits. Critics are urging a reassessment of data center impacts to align with clean-energy goals. The estimated cost of the Joshua Falls to Yeat line is $1 billion, with construction expected near Blackburn’s property by 2029.
Local advocacy groups, including the Louisa County Farm Bureau and the Piedmont Environmental Council, oppose the project, citing threats to farmland and historic sites. Advocacy group Preservation Virginia added several counties to its most endangered historic places list due to potential impacts on historic districts. There are additional worries about resident compensation and potential eminent domain issues for the tower construction.
Louisa County leaders recently allocated $250,000 in legal funds to oppose the project. Local officials pledged to protect residents’ interests, while Dominion Energy spokesperson Craig Carper highlighted the need for grid reliability. Public engagement sessions are planned to address residents’ concerns.
The new transmission line will connect a network of 765 kV lines from states like Michigan and Indiana to Virginia. This system, led by Dominion and Appalachian Power, aims to meet growing electricity demands driven by data centers. There are also discussions of installing a small modular reactor near the Joshua Falls substation to support future energy needs.
As the project advances, Goochland residents like Anne Dennis are seeking more information about potential impacts on their community and environment. Public meetings provide a platform for discussing route conflicts, with the State Corporation Commission set to review the project later this year.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org