The proposed project is necessary to assure that the Company’s
transmission facilities continue to meet projected load growth in a reliable
manner consistent with North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) Planning
Standards for transmission facilities. Load growth in the northern Piedmont
area will push the capability of the existing 500-230 kV transformers located
in this region past their capacity should there be a loss of some of the critical
lines or transformers, resulting in customer outages. Also, Dominion Virginia
Power and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) have identified a need
for additional facilities in this area to provide service to their customers.
The proposed new transmission facility will provide the means for solving these
reliability issues and also provide for the orderly expansion of the transmission
system in this area.
In order to bring in additional power to meet the increased
load, create an alternate transmission source, and meet utility standards for
contingency planning, Dominion proposes to build a 230 kV line between its future
Bristers Switching/Substation in Fauquier County and its Gainesville Substation
in Prince William County. The proposed line would be entirely within an existing
right-of-way and parallel to the existing Morrisville-Loudoun 500 kV Line. This
right-of-way was purchased in the late 1960s. We propose to locate the new 230
kV structures adjacent to the existing 500 kV structures so the wire spans will
match. We are proposing a lattice type structure that will be approximately
the same height as the existing structures, and ultimately support two 230 kV
circuits. In association with this project, Dominion will replace the electric
conductor wires on a transmission line from Gainesville Substation north to
our Loudoun Substation. As a separate project, we also propose to construct
a new substation in the Nokesville area by 2010.
Project Details
Approximate line length:
16 miles
Right of way width:
240 feet
The northern 8.6 miles of the right-of-way is cleared
to its full width of 240 feet. The centerline of the 500 kV line is 75
feet from the western edge of the right-of-way and there is an electric
distribution line that occupies the eastern edge of the right-of-way.
The remaining 7.1 miles on the southern end of the project is cleared
to a width of 150 feet on the western side for the existing 500 kV line.
The new line will require that the additional 90 feet be cleared on the
eastern side of the right-of-way.
Typical pole description:
Lattice 230 kV double circuit structures
are proposed. See the
proposed structure.
Structure height:
130 feet tall.
Strucuture spacing:
Approximate 1100-foot span, to match
the existing 500 kV line’s structure locations as closely as possible.
In-service date:
May 2009
Total estimated cost:
$20 million
Project Update
The Virginia State Corporation Commission issued its final
order on November 13, 2006, approving the proposed Bristers-Gainesville
230 kV Line.
Tentative Schedule of Project
Spring 2006
Meet with Fauquier County and Prince William County officials
to discuss projects.
Public Information Meetings
File Application for approval of project with the State
Corporation Commission
Winter 2006
SCC Public Hearings to receive public statements and evidence.
Spring 2007
SCC Hearing Examiners Report
SCC Ruling
Wetland Delineation
Archaeological Survey
Construction Permits
Summer 2007
Begin Construction
December 2008
Complete new line construction
May 2009
Complete conductor replacement of the existing Gainesville-Loudoun
line
