Meadow Brook to Loudoun 500 kV Line

PROJECT UPDATE: Construction continuing in Fauquier and Prince William Counties

Dominion Virginia Power continues construction from the Bristersburg area moving north toward Gainesville and Loudoun Substations. Dominion will begin construction in southern Fauquier County between Remington and Bristersburg mid-May.

Dominion is committed to providing reliable service to its customers now and in the future. The growing use of electricity in Northern Virginia has placed Dominion’s ability to meet its responsibility for its Northern Virginia customers increasingly at risk.

To overcome this risk, Dominion has received permission to construct a new 65-mile overhead transmission line.

The company filed an application with the State Corporation Commission on April 19, 2007 for approval and certification of the line. In a unanimous decision on October 7, 2008, the SCC ordered that the $243 million Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun transmission project be built and operational by July 1, 2011. Dominion is committed to putting this line into service by June 1, 2011.

It also affirmed the 65-mile route proposed by the company and recommended by the SCC hearing examiner that is adjacent to or within an existing transmission line right-of-way through Warren, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun counties.

The Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun power line is part of a three-state transmission line, with the other sections proposed by Allegheny Energy in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Dominion has now received approvals from Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

We have begun construction and are committed to putting this line in service by June 1, 2011 (one month sooner than the SCC order) to bring our customers reliable electric service. Activity on this critical electric infrastructure project has begun in Fauquier and Prince William counties.

Project Details

Need for the Line

This transmission line is essential to Dominion Virginia Power's ability to maintain system reliability and support future growth in Northern Virginia.

  • The Northern Virginia Transmission System Review (KEMA Report) concluded there will be "significant problems in the system that will require new transmission facilities by 2011." P. Jeffrey Palermo, executive consultant with KEMA Inc., included the report in his testimony before the SCC to underscore the need for major new transmission system improvements in Northern Virginia.
  • Learn more about the KEMA Report and testimony (link provided below), and view related videos.
  • The stress on the system is well recognized. A study (The National Electric Transmission Congestion Study) conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy in August 2006 placed Northern Virginia in one of two national "critical congestion areas" for electricity transmission.
  • The DOE report stated that the region requires "billions of dollars of investment in new transmission, generation and demand-side resources over the next decade to protect grid reliability and ensure the area’s economic viability."
Community Relations

Below are interviews that voice support for the project:

Routes and Maps

The approved route follows within or adjacent to an existing transmission line right of way. The route would not claim any historic structures or any new land within state open space easements except where provided for in the State Corporation Commission's Order. By law, the route must reasonably minimize its impact on scenic assets, historic districts and environment of the area concerned.

  • View a large-scale map
  • View detailed maps (note instructions below )
    • On the overview map, select any of the five boxed areas to open detailed maps.
    • Detailed maps 1, 2 and 3 feature several "single pole" sections. View a map legend to see how they are identified.

Alternative Routes and Maps

Dominion Virginia Power also studied potential alternative routes for the 500,000-volt transmission line in Northern Virginia. Files labeled high-res are large, so allow extra time to download. Medium and low resolution files can be downloaded more quickly, but they lack fine details when enlarged.

Updates

Meadow Brook-Loudoun transmission line updates are provided below.

  • The SCC has ordered that the Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun transmission project be built and operational by July 1, 2011.  It also affirmed the 65-mile route proposed by the company and recommended by the SCC hearing examiner. Read the news release.
  • SCC Hearing Examiner recommends construction of 500kV transmission line in northern Virginia. Read the news release.
  • Dominion Virginia Power began presenting testimony on Feb. 25, 2008, at a Virginia State Corporation Commission hearing showing that the proposed Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun transmission line is essential to keeping the lights on in Northern Virginia. Read the news release.
  • An updated report from a Virginia State Corporation Commission staff consultant that says a need "persists" for a new transmission line in Northern Virginia supports Dominion Virginia Power's application, John D. Smatlak, vice president-Transmission, said. Read the news release.
  • Supporters of Dominion's proposed Northern Virginia electric transmission line told the Virginia State Corporation Commission that the project is essential to the economic health and security of the fast-growing region. Read the news release.
  • Consultants hired by the Virginia State Corporation Commission staff agree that a critical need exists for electric reliability improvements by 2011 in Northern Virginia and recommends the proposed route for a transmission line that would meet that need with least impact to the environment, cultural and historic resources. Read the news release.
  • Several small business owners told a Virginia State Corporation Commission hearing examiner that Northern Virginia needs a new 500,000-volt transmission line proposed by Dominion Virginia Power to improve reliability and meet their business growth needs. Read the news release.
  • Dominion began running a new full-page print ad on July 23, 2007 to explain the need for the transmission line.
  • Dominion Virginia Power has added a video interview with KEMA executive consultant Jeff Palermo to its Web site to explain the need for a new transmission power line in Northern Virginia and respond to questions about the study. The KEMA study (see link below) evaluated 10 alternatives and confirms that serious reliability problems will result in Northern Virginia if nothing is done. These problems require new transmission facilities by 2011, which the Dominion alternatives meet.
  • The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) announced June 4 that it will conduct hearings this summer to gather public comments on the Meadow Brook -- Loudoun 500kV transmission line project. For more information, read the SCC news release or read highlights of the SCC procedural order.
  • Koonce Testimony -- Dominion Energy CEO Paul Koonce testified on April 25, 2007 on the need for the 500,000-volt power line in Northern Virginia before a U.S. House of Representatives' subcommittee. Read his testimony.
  • SCC Application -- View the SCC application (link below) that was filed on April 19, 2007. Read the news release. You can also view highlights of the filing or key points of the testimony.
  • Dominion Virginia Power has determined that only about 125 feet of additional right of way will have to be added to the existing transmission line corridor in most areas of Rappahannock, Culpeper and Fauquier counties. The proposed route for the new line is either atop or adjacent to an existing right of way.
    • The company will not need to acquire any new rights of way in either Prince William or Loudoun counties. A very short section of the existing right of way in Warren County may have to be widened very slightly.
    • In some areas, the company does not plan to expand the easement and instead will propose replacing existing lattice-style transmission towers with single-pole towers.
    • They display the preferred route and color-coded locations where rights of way either need to be expanded or where new towers will replace existing structures.
  • The U.S. Census Bureau reported March 21 that five of the top 60 fastest-growing counties are in or next to Northern Virginia. Loudoun County continues being one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, placing fourth in growth from April 1, 2000, to July 1, 2006. Loudoun has added 99,218 residents during that period for a 58.5 percent growth rate. Other fast-growing Virginia counties are Spotsylvania (37), Culpeper (52), Stafford (53) and Prince William (75). Read more.
  • Dominion Virginia Power announced on Feb. 13, 2007, that it has chosen a preferred route for a needed 500,000-volt transmission line in Northern Virginia. The entire route is along an existing power line corridor connecting substations in eastern Frederick, southern Fauquier, western Prince William and eastern Loudoun counties. Read the news release.
  • Peak demand for electricity is expected to grow faster in the Dominion transmission system than in any other region of the PJM Interconnection over the next 10 years. View the news release issued by PJM on Jan. 16, 2007 about its annual 10-year forecast in peak electricity demand. (Read more in our news media advisory.)
  • Dominion has posted a presentation about the need and alternatives for this transmission project. View as PDF or in Powerpoint.
Media Coverage

Various news articles are featured below.

November 14, 2008 - Northern Virginia Daily
Utilities Receive Go-Ahead from Pennsylvania

November 14, 2008 - The Washington Post
Pa. Decision Allows Work to Begin on High-Voltage Power Line

November 14, 2008 - Winchester Star
Pa. OKs its portion of TrAIL power line

November 13, 2008 - Loudoun Times-Mirror
Final approval given to 240-mile power line

October 8, 2008 - Winchester Star
Approval given to Trail in Virginia - 93-mile section of high-voltage power line OK’d by SCC

October 8, 2008 - Northern Virginia Daily
Regulators approve multistate power line

October 8, 2008 - WTOPNews.com
High-voltage power line gets nod of Va. regulators

October 7, 2008 - Washington Post
State Regulators Greenlight Power Line in Northern Va.

September 2, 2008 - Washington Post
Across State Lines - A power line that would provide much-needed electricity to Northern Virginia hits a snag.

July 31, 2008 - Clarke County Times
Power lines: Official recommends approval

July 12, 2008 - Northern Virginia Daily
Power line fight back in front of Va. SCC

June 26, 2008 - The Winchester Star
Utility firms’ tests show need for N.Va. power line

May 22, 2008 - Baltimore Sun
Blackouts feared for Md. - Shortages by 2011 a risk if new lines aren't built, PSC is told

February 28, 2008 - The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Editorial: Power Reactors

February 20, 2008 - Loudoun Times-Mirror
Power Line Combatants to Square Off in Richmond

February 3, 2008 - Washington Post
Threat of Power Shortages Generating New Urgency

January 15, 2008 - The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Support Voiced for Proposed N.Va. Line

January 15, 2008 - The Fauquier Times-Democrat
SCC Consultants Give Qualified Support to Power Line Proposal

January 15, 2008 - The Winchester Star
Power Line Supporters Make Case in Hearing

January 10, 2008 - Washington Post
State-Hired Consultant Cites Necessity of New Power Line

December 13, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal
That Giant Sucking Sound May Be Your New TV

December 12, 2007 - Leesburg Today
Commercial Progress In 2007: Key Projects, Interchanges, Rt. 50 Vision Advance

December 4, 2007 - Washington Post
Power Outages Forecast For Md. - Likely Brownouts, High Rates Blamed On Deregulation

November 7, 2007 - New York Times
Taming the Guzzlers That Power the World Wide Web

November 1, 2007 - Leesburg Today
AT&T Expands Data Center in Ashburn

October 15, 2007 - The Washington Post
Secure Data Warehouses Rise Again in N. Virginia - Hit by Dot-Com Bust, Industry Is Reviving

October 12, 2007 - The Winchester Star
Line hearing set for Feb.

September 12, 2007 - The Examiner
Loudoun shows large growth rate in housing

August 14, 2007 - Leesburg Today
4 New Dulles-Area Buildings Planned With Purchase

August 6, 2007 - The New Dominion
Northern Virginia: Power line, or power down

July 27, 2007 - The Washington Post
Hearing on Power Line Draws Vocal Crowd - Supporters Say Project Is Vital to Success Of Area Economy; Foes Question Its Need

June 18, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor
Progress on preventing blackouts - Mandatory rules governing the reliability of the US power grid go into effect Monday.

February 22, 2007 - Sun Gazette
Arlington Chamber Backs Dominion on Power Lines

February 8, 2007 - The Washington Post
Medical Campus Set For West of Dulles

February 1, 2007 - Virginia Business Magazine
Too much of a good thing? - Fairfax County is trying to retain its quality of life in face of explosive growth.

January 28, 2007 - The Washington Post
Got Space? There Is Plenty to Go Around - Office Vacancy Rates Remain High

January 28, 2007 - The Washington Post
Dominion Virginia Has Inflated Power Needs, Some Experts Say - Opponents' Advisors Push Alternatives to High-Voltage Lines

January 27, 2007 - The Washington Post
The Draw of the Flaw - Railroad Tracks, Power Lines, Even Septic Tanks Can Be the Beginning of a Bargain

January 17, 2007 - Newport News Daily Press
Demand fuels power struggle over electricity

December 26, 2006 - The Washington Post
New Rural Sales Pitch: Work Outside D.C.'s Fallout Zone

December 24, 2006 - The Washington Post
Promises Of Fairfax Traffic Cuts Unfulfilled

November 28, 2006 - The Washington Post
N.Va. Power Line Proposal Draws Resistance

November 27, 2006 - Leesburg Today
Dominion To Present Route Options For 500kv Line

October 22, 2006 - The Washington Post
Power Politics - The region's high-tech growth depends on electricity.

September 10, 2006 - The Washington Post
Power Line Could Undo Open-Land Conservation

State Corporation Commission Application Process

The SCC ordered on October 7, 2008 that the Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun transmission project be built and operational by July 1, 2011.  It also affirmed the 65-mile route proposed by the company and recommended by the SCC hearing examiner that is adjacent to or within an existing transmission line right-of-way through Warren, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun counties.

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) Hearing Examiner issued a report July 28, 2008 affirming the need for the 500kV Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun transmission line. The report also finds that Dominion’s proposed route "reasonably minimizes adverse impacts."

SCC Process

The SCC approves all electric transmission facilities of 138,000 volts (138 kV) or more in Virginia, which includes this project. The SCC has issued an order setting the procedural schedule. A SCC Hearing Examiner serves as a judge at the hearings. Afterwards, the Hearing Examiner will issue a report to the three SCC Commissioners. The Commissioners will review all of the evidence and the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation before deciding.

SCC Order for Notice and Hearing

The SCC issued an order that set out a schedule for the hearing process. Below is a list of hearing dates. >> View the complete Order (PDF file).

Local Public Hearings

  • July 26, 2007, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; July 27, 9:30 a.m.; Fauquier Co. High School, Warrenton.
  • Aug. 9, 2007, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m.; Marsteller Middle School, Bristow.
  • Aug. 13, 2007, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Aug. 14, 9:30 a.m.; James Wood High School, Winchester.
  • Aug. 15, 2007, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Aug. 16, 9:30 a.m.; North Warren Volunteer Fire Department, 89 Rockland Road, Front Royal.
  • The public hearing resumed in Richmond on Monday, January 14, 2008, at 9 a.m. Additional public comments were accepted in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond.

Evidentiary Hearing

SCC Application

"Application, Appendix, DEQ Supplement, Direct Testimony and Exhibits of Virginia Electric and Power Company Before the State Corporation Commission of Virginia"

View the document list for this case on the SCC Web site. (As an alternative, visit the SCC site and select "SEARCH CASES" on the navigation across the top of the page. Enter the Case Number, PUE-2007-00031, in the "Enter Case Number" field and click on "Search.")

In addition, below are links to the application documents. Note: Some attached PDF files are large -- allow time to download.

Volume I - Application and Appendix

Volume II - Testimony

  • Vol. II cover page
  • Direct Testimony of John D. Smatlak, Vice President – Electric Transmission for Dominion Virginia Power (Management overview of application)
  • Direct Testimony of James R. Bailey, Manager – Electric Transmission Planning for Dominion Virginia Power (Testimony on need)
  • Direct Testimony of P. Jeffrey Palermo, KEMA, Inc. (Review of need by KEMA, Inc.)
  • KEMA Report (Attachment PJP-1 to P. Jeffrey Palermo Direct Testimony)
  • Direct Testimony of Steven R. Herling, Vice President of Planning for PJM Interconnection (PJM testimony on need)
  • Direct Testimony of Scott Gass, PowerGEM (formerly of PJM) (Testimony on need)

Volume III - Testimony

Volume VI - Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Supplement

  • Vol. IV cover page
  • Direct Testimony of David F. Koogler, Director – State Regulation for Dominion Virginia Power (Demand side management and energy efficiency programs)
  • Direct Testimony of Edward V. Badolato, Integrated Infrastructure Analytics, Inc. (Electric reliability and homeland security); former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy
  • Direct Testimony of Mark S. Allen, Manager – Electric Transmission Line Engineering for Dominion Virginia Power (Engineering/design of the proposed transmission line)

Volume V - Testimony

Dominion Rebuttal Testimony

Volume VI - Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Supplement

KEMA Report

Dominion’s Meadow Brook-to-Loudoun 500kV Transmission Line: Vital to Northern Virginia’s Energy Reliability and to National Security


An Urgent, Undeniable Need for a Solution in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia’s transmission system could face severe overloads starting in 2011. These overloads could require drastic measures such as rolling blackouts. If left unchecked, it could lead to system failure and cascading blackouts.

KEMA, a well-respected, international firm that has served as a transmission consultant for the Virginia SCC, confirms the critical need for a transmission solution in Northern Virginia.  PJM concurs with this assessment. Even some opponents of the proposed line acknowledge the need for urgent solutions to Northern Virginia’s energy problems.

The U.S. Department of Energy has labeled the region a "critical congestion area" that faces "unparalleled problems." This line is needed by 2011 to comply with new, mandatory federal reliability standards.

Reliable Service in Northern Virginia Essential to National Security

Regional reliability issues could threaten national security. As former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy Edward Badolato said in Dominion’s application with the SCC, "Loss of power, and in particular, chronic shortages [due to] lack of adequate electric transmission capacity to Northern Virginia can have profound impacts on our national security."

The region is home to facilities such as the Pentagon, the CIA, and data centers for the defense, intelligence, and homeland security sectors. Major expansions include doubling the size of Ft. Belvoir and construction of a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security headquarters.

Badolato noted that power problems in Northern Virginia could have serious effects   throughout the entire National Capital Region (NCR). “Blackouts and loss of service…can impact emergency services, transportation, healthcare, building support, food supply and other non-defense components of the federal, state and local governments.”

Northern Virginia is also a critical component of the nation’s high-tech economy and information superhighway. No fewer than 23 new data centers — small campuses with a total electrical demand equal to a mid-sized city — are in the planning stages.

Other Solutions Not Feasible

Conservation and new generation, while helpful, are not feasible ways to solve the problem. By 2011, Northern Virginians would have to reduce their peak demand energy use by 40% to avert the need for the line. KEMA found this scenario "clearly not reasonable."

KEMA also found that meeting the need through new generation was not feasible.  This would require construction of "one of the largest [power stations] in North America" by 2011 in Northern Virginia. An even larger station would be needed by 2016, KEMA found.

Given the urgent nature of the problem and the critical importance of the region, Dominion must pursue solutions that are certain to work and can be in place on time.  The proposed transmission line is the only solution that meets these standards.


KEMA Report — " Northern Virginia Transmission System Review"

Background on KEMA

KEMA is an internationally recognized power system engineering firm with its American headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts.  With more than 400 full-time professionals, KEMA has provided technical expertise and analysis for the entire range of stakeholder groups, from public utility regulators and commissions, to utilities, to private citizens.  For example, KEMA was retained by the State Corporation Commission in 1998 to evaluate Appalachian Power Co.’s proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line from its Wyoming Substation in West Virginia to its Cloverdale Substation near Roanoke. The line has since been constructed and energized.

KEMA was engaged to determine independently of Dominion if there is a need for major new transmission capacity in Northern Virginia and to evaluate potential solutions.

In maintaining reliability, utilities must examine worst-case scenarios that involve failure of major generation and transmission facilities.  If there is not enough transmission capacity to address these contingencies, the entire system can be put in jeopardy, with costly and potentially devastating consequences such as blackouts.

Testimony and KEMA Report

The testimony and report are part of Dominion's Application filed April 19, 2007, titled: "Application, Appendix, DEQ Supplement, Direct Testimony and Exhibits of Virginia Electric and Power Company Before the State Corporation Commission of Virginia."

  • Direct Testimony of P. Jeffrey Palermo, KEMA, Inc. (Review of need by KEMA, Inc.)
  • KEMA Report (complete report, attachment PJP-1 to P. Jeffrey Palermo Direct Testimony)

Summary of KEMA Findings

  • There is a need for action by 2011.  Without action, the transmission system in Northern Virginia would violate mandatory federal reliability standards by that year.  Major transmission lines serving Northern Virginia could become overloaded, resulting in potential system failure in the region.
  • No alternative to the new transmission line was found to have a reasonable expectation of meeting the need by 2011.  Further, "…the results show that either alternative (Dominion’s proposed and alternative routes) solves these problems in northern Virginia and the surrounding region." (p. 5)

Major Points in Study Analysis

The study evaluated 10 alternatives to solving the need by 2011, including demand-side management (DSM), new generation, and eight different transmission options.

Demand-Side Management Option

  • The nature of the transmission problem dictates that to reduce the overloading by 1 MW, Northern Virginia would have to reduce demand by approximately 12.5 MW.
  • Given this fact, Northern Virginians would have to reduce their peak energy use by 40% to avert the need for the line by 2011.  "To assume that such a program could be designed, approved, implemented, and accepted by DVP customers in less than four years is clearly not reasonable." (p. 61)
  • By 2016, Northern Virginians would have to reduce their peak energy use to almost ZERO to avert the need for the line.  KEMA determined this to be an unreasonable goal.

New Generation

  • Distributed generation options (solar panels on roofs, for example) could reduce the need; however, it faces the same constraints as DSM.  By 2011, the region would need 2,850 MW of new generation; by 2016, 6,975 MW, to meet the need.  KEMA compares this to adding 31,000 “neighborhood power stations” by 2011 and 77,000 by 2016.  KEMA sees this as unacceptable given the time constraints.
  • A single very large generating unit could meet the need; however, it would need to produce at least 3,000 MW by 2011.  To site, construct, and operate a power station this size in Northern Virginia by 2011 is unrealistic.  “This [solution] would require […] by far the largest plant in Virginia, and one of the largest in North America.  This plant would need to be even larger to be effective in 2016.” (pp. 62-3)
  • A few large plants could also meet the need, but would also require system improvements on transmission lines.  These plants would face the same challenges, with the added possibility of PJM cost penalties if these units were required to operate (for reliability) out of economic dispatch order.  “The costs of this out-of-merit order generation could be enormous.” (p. 63)

Other Transmission Options

  • KEMA conducted further analysis of eight transmission options; including overhead routes, an underground alternating current (AC), and a direct current (DC) option with portions underground.
  • "The first two options — the company proposed route and the alternate route — are very similar electrically and have better technical performance than the other alternatives.  The third option — HDVC (High Voltage Direct Current, with portions underground) — is acceptable but is not as good technically as the first two.  All of the other options are unacceptable." (p. 67)

The KEMA study confirms that serious reliability problems will result by 2011 if nothing is done in Northern Virginia. These problems require new transmission facilities by 2011, which the DVP alternatives meet.

Video Discussions (P. Jeffrey Palermo)

View individual videos below:

Contact Us

Contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Meadow Brook - Loudoun project.

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