Underground Power Line Bill Eyed for Golden to Mars Earns Senate Approval
A bill that is planned to help the grassroots effort to underground a high voltage transmission line planned for Loudoun County, received approval from the Senate Friday afternoon.
A companion bill in the House was finalized by the House Friday in preparation for a final vote Monday.
SB 827, proposed by Sen. Kannan Srinivasan (D-32), and HB 1487 proposed by Del. JJ Singh (D-26), allow four pilot projects and authorizes the State Corporation Commission to approve applications for projects to be 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 local government, which could impose a levy on local utility customers, issue a bond approved by referendum, or spend its own funds. A utility company would work with a locality to determine its 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 pilot would be halted.
Singh and Srinivasan have been vocal supporters of community members opposed to the Golden to Mars transmission line project planned by Dominion Energy which would see double circuit 500 kV and 230 kV lines cross through eastern Loudoun, across neighborhoods and through schools.
County government and representatives from the homeowners’ associations have worked together to propose an alternative that would bury part of the line underground. That is currently being reviewed by the SCC. Singh and Srinivasan have said that project could benefit from their proposed legislation.
The bill passed the Senate on a 26-12 vote.
Srinivasan told Loudoun Now that the legislation provides localities, including Loudoun, another tool to work with utility companies to bury lines when it makes sense to do so.
“As Virginia faces growing energy demands and the expansion of major transmission infrastructure, this legislation creates a balanced, locally driven approach that allows essential projects to move forward while minimizing impacts to residents,” Srinivasan sated. “The bill includes strong safeguards to protect ratepayers, while offering several paths for localities to fund their share. I appreciate my colleagues for their support, the thousands of community members who have voiced support along the way and look forward to continuing my work through the General Assembly process.”
Singh’s proposal is expected to be voted on by the House on Monday afternoon.
Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), in whose district the Golden to Mars line will cross, said he and his colleague on the board, support the bills.
“For several years, our Legislative Program has included a policy statement that supports underground transmission lines – and our 2024 Program specifically calls out pilot programs to underground transmission lines,” he told Loudoun Now. “I’m glad we are working so closely with Delegate Singh and Senator Srinivasan on their efforts, and I’m glad to see there is support at the General Assembly.”
Saines reiterated that his project could help the Golden to Mars project.
“We’ll closely monitor the progress of these bills and continue our productive conversations with General Assembly members to get the best outcome for all, which is to get these bills to the finish line and made into law,” he stated.
This article was updated at 4:28 p.m. on Feb. 13 to include comments by Supervisor Koran T. Saines.