Legislation for Underground High Voltage Power Lines Advances
A bill that could pave the way for the state’s first underground 500-kilovolt transmission line received approval from a House subcommittee Thursday night.
HB 1487 is proposed by Del. JJ Singh (D-26) and would create a pilot project to bury a high voltage transmission line underground. Loudoun is home to buried 230 kV lines, but there are few examples of higher voltage underground lines in the world.
The bill authorizes the State Corporation Commission to approve up to four applications for projects to buried entirely or in part, and to provide an expedited review of the applications. A project could qualify for the pilot if an engineering analysis shows it is technically feasible, if the commission provides cost projections, and if the local governing body supports the proposal.
Under the bill, some of the additional costs of undergrounding the line would be paid by the locality and allows that government to impose a levy on the utility customers within the locality, issue a bond approved by referendum, or spend its own funds.
During the Thursday night meeting, Singh cited the 2024 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission report on data centers, saying Virginia can expect to see energy demand double over the next 10 years.
“With that comes massive infrastructure especially from 500-kV transmission lines, cutting right through our neighborhoods,” he said.
Under the bill, a utility company would work with a locality to determine their interest in the pilot project and provide a cost estimate of going above ground versus underground. The locality would make an offer on how much it is willing to contribute. The SCC would determine the final cost, giving the locality a chance to withdraw its interest.
If the SCC finds the cost is not reasonable or is not in the public interest, the project would be halted.
A companion bill is being carried by Sen. Kannan Srinivasan (D-32) in the Senate. The proposal is expected to be taken up by committee on Monday.
Both representatives proposed similar legislation last year, but did not garner support from the General Assembly.
Singh said this year’s proposal has one significant difference.
“In this version of the bill, the locality will contribute at least 50% of the cost increase, if you will, or more, as determined by the SCC,” he said.
The proposal is supported by Dominion Energy who said Singh worked with legislators on to address the utility’s concerns.
It is opposed by the Data Center Coalition, which said it also worked with Singh, but still have concerns about the proposal and its impact on the industry.
Del. Tony Wilt (R-34), of Rockingham County, said it’s important to remember that it’s the community that is driving the need for data centers and the power they require.
The bills by Singh and Srinivasan come as residents within their district are working to have a 500-kV line proposed by Dominion Energy buried underground. Loudoun County government and community organizations presented an underground proposal to the SCC last month. The above ground proposal by Dominion, and the underground options are currently being considered by the commission.
Community members have said above-ground lines would harm their health and the environment, and lower their property values, especially taking issue that proposed routes cross through neighborhoods and near schools.
Singh said he hopes this bill would impact that process.
“I’m working hard to fight against the Golden to Mars transmission line cutting through Loudoun Valley Estates,” he stated. “This pilot program creates another avenue through which the State Corporation Commission could approve an underground route and sends a powerful signal that the members of the House of Delegates believe that projects like this are critically important. I’m grateful for the vote of my colleagues. My work, along with Senator Srinivasan continues.”
The subcommittee recommended the bill on a 7-1 vote. It now moves to the full Labor and Commerce Committee.