[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6534302,"mediaKeyId","3631973-8d9dda02a8927d6138c7f09bb026fd14","parentId",3631973,"title","Residents urge undergrounding or lower-impact route for Dominion Energy Golden-to-Mars line; county staff to engage SCC process","audioSeconds",2860,"startMs",380000,"endMs",3240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631973-8d9dda02a8927d6138c7f09bb026fd14&start=380&end=3240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631973-8d9dda02a8927d6138c7f09bb026fd14/thumbnail_380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534302/Virginia/Residents-urge-undergrounding-or-lower-impact-route-for-Dominion-Energy-Golden-to-Mars-line-county-staff-to-engage-SCC-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534302-c8751057d39f4f412b238a0ce0e20c6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771066111&Signature=ZGpl7FGzetYjDzuy1KCSaFKvYI0f1stfbJ9brhpduZd9O9SOA6Sh8YpzooyZwmFnOR4a2vMA3eS-HLNZCHvzfapL3KXpihnWpK6p8wAuWbLlsx3Z10aaW-DC5OWGKIyTxO8ZHkw1aMT16YJjO~Q1ZmG1cMuKbZ~N3H9TKaLxAo8U7bhMjn3WiaevrtsQT-ozwjrbw~nMcA1NxaQLnvWcK4LBZMhx~XB~gdYfLEap-HGSA9iqEC1q3ovSygLFNMlMaieYMz~hp-Py5k8IIaXxklmuJ~v5ltG1lJOYqK8HV68Zy4iWxaDHUhxUR8hxPoYZgFrtAULBSP-UwWxT~nYjJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Loudoun County","date","2025-06-02T00:00:00Z","article","Dominion Energy has proposed several routing options for a planned Golden-to-Mars transmission project that would include 500-kilovolt and 230-kilovolt circuits, and public speakers at a June 2 joint meeting of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the Loudoun County School Board urged the county to press for undergrounding or, if overhead is required, to choose the route with the least community impact.

The advisory presentation from county staff explained Dominion filed an application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission on March 28 and later added an alternative labeled “3A.” Deputy County Administrator Joe Crowboth said the county and Loudoun County Public Schools have asked engineers and outside counsel to evaluate undergrounding options and that the State Corporation Commission will issue a scheduling order that sets hearings, filings and other milestones in the process.

Why it matters: commenters said some overhead routes would put lines near residences, schools and medical facilities and that early county engagement and technical analysis will shape the case before the SCC. Several speakers warned that if an overhead route within Dominion’s existing right of way is later rejected, Dominion could default to a route that primarily follows Loudoun County Parkway, which they said would have broad local impacts.

Public comments and claimed impacts

Several residents asked county elected officials and staff to press Dominion and the SCC for underground construction or, failing that, to avoid specific overhead alignments. A speaker identified in the record as Sushil Bombardekar (did not appear) was scheduled but did not present. Speakers who did present included a commenter who raised concerns that Route 5 (the “Orange” route, which follows Loudoun County Parkway) would affect more than 1,200 houses, 15 homeowners associations, Stonehill Middle School, Primrose Day Daycare and the Inova Loudoun Emergency Center, with some properties within about 25 feet of the proposed line. One speaker said a petition opposing Loudoun County Parkway alignments had gathered more than 1,200 signatures; another said Route 3A would place lines closer to homes in Loudoun Valley Estates and cross or follow Broad Run, affecting parks and trails.

A parent who identified herself as Pafna Chandok said undergrounding “offers safety, minimum environmental disruption, and long term value” and urged the county to champion hybrid or full underground routes. Sam Utreja and other speakers urged officials to avoid newly impacted open spaces and to protect school and residential areas.

County staff update and next steps

Joe Crowboth told the committee Dominion’s initial filing included five routes and the board previously endorsed Route 4 with Route 3 as a secondary alternative. Crowboth said Dominion later filed a revised “alternative 3A” that generally follows the earlier Route 3 but shifts to the north side of Broad Run to avoid crossing Loudoun County Public Schools property; that northward move would bring the line closer to private residences, he said.

Crowboth and senior assistant county attorney Jonathan Zator said the county has retained engineering consultants and outside counsel to analyze undergrounding feasibility and alternative alignments. The presenters said Dominion identified technical constraints that complicate undergrounding, including limited staging sites for the required transition stations between overhead and underground segments, VDOT right-of-way limitations for construction methods such as horizontal directional drilling, and hard bedrock in places that could require blasting.

Zator and county counsel indicated the scheduling order from the State Corporation Commission will set dates for written testimony, public comment periods and hearings. County attorneys said they have filed a notice of participation and expect the SCC process, including local and Richmond hearings and filings, to take place before the end of 2025.

What officials asked and what was not decided

Supervisors asked whether alternative 3A would be within 500 feet of schools; staff answered it would be within that distance in at least some places. Commissioners asked whether undergrounding could be done for partial segments near schools; staff said consultants were examining staged underground options but had not completed that analysis. Staff and counsel recommended continued collaboration between the county and Loudoun County Public Schools in litigating and responding to the SCC docket.

No final route selection, permitting decision or formal board vote was recorded at the committee meeting. The State Corporation Commission scheduling order will determine formal deadlines for filings and local hearings.

Ending: County staff said they would share technical reports and the SCC scheduling order with the boards when available and continue to pursue options to minimize community impacts.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Loudoun County - Joint Board of Supervisors & School Board Committee - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dominion Energy has proposed several routing options for a planned Golden-to-Mars transmission project that would include 500-kilovolt and 230-kilovolt circuits, and public speakers at a June 2 joint meeting of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the Loudoun County School Board urged the county to press for undergrounding or, if overhead is required, to choose the route with the least community impact.","taxTitle","Loudoun County, Virginia","taxId",5640,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6534294,"County and LCPS outline five-year attendance zone review and CIP implications as enrollment patterns shift",340,2490000,2830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631973-8d9dda02a8927d6138c7f09bb026fd14&start=2490&end=2830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631973-8d9dda02a8927d6138c7f09bb026fd14/thumbnail_2490000.jpg","/articles/6534294/Virginia/County-and-LCPS-outline-five-year-attendance-zone-review-and-CIP-implications-as-enrollment-patterns-shift","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534294-a5544c8a54fb644d4dbca658f4e88d73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771066111&Signature=m59buqNv8Ijznu4lTbLHIbEOVlv2do9kvHOqqo8TD2kdvnfWzi7pyscfEVDaEmsHFhW~mvP0OEBPVlN2VzqWvz2FgRlDpyS-Y~r-G8qnvzmOBLmrQ4aPLkLup2-6iouwif2inftgHI9io1fcbBekbSuCaP4fvnHQsfzF5vnRM5H9LaRbzx7hYy6OeZs89AuVWC7RIBX2L-7M6010QmpRjYu~lS1jpDgCfs02sUO1NzPwBlI-55yG--ssSxJ8Kqgmt845D-i-WQNo3CnI4pD85KB2zQf13qBSa~8MVqi9YiOl28sFiIJItvyE444KNWQbyPGaD2Hoe2KKPpme1xOlEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Loudoun County planning and school division staff told the June 2 joint committee they will undertake a comprehensive five-year review of school attendance zones to align capital planning with changing enrollment and program distribution across the county.

Bev Tate, director of planning and GIS services, and Mr. Lewis (school/county presenter) outlined drivers of the review: declining growth in some areas after years of rapid expansion, the county’s need to balance enrollment and program access (career and technical education, special programs), and the forthcoming capital projects in the county’s FY2026–FY2031 CIP.

Why it matters: staff said the review is intended to reduce overcrowding at some schools, improve access to specialized programs and coordinate transportation and facility investments so students can access programs without extensive travel.

Key points from the presentation

Staff described a visual enrollment-capacity analysis color-coded by elementary, middle and high schools: yellow (under capacity), white (about 100% capacity), a light-shaded band for 101–105% capacity and red for schools above 105% capacity. The presenters said the county will focus initial changes on secondary schools and then address elementary attendance zones.

Policy and timeline

Staff cited a recent change to school attendance zone policy (Policy 65-30) requiring comprehensive reviews every five years to assess enrollment, capacity and balance. The county said it will propose interim changes for the Dulles area to relieve current pressure and that implementation for some adjustments is planned for fall 2026; staff said HS‑14’s opening (planned in a later CIP milestone) will allow additional rebalancing in fall 2028.

Program access and transportation

Presenters emphasized equal access to specialized programs such as the Academies of Loudoun, IB programs and HAMSci and noted that many specialized programs bus students from outside a school’s attendance zone; staff estimated about 60–75 high-school students per program may be transported from outside the host school’s boundary. The county said it will seek to disperse programs geographically so transportation burdens are reduced and access improved.

Operational details and staffing

Staff said they are currently fully staffed for bus drivers, although recruitment remains ongoing as driver turnover occurs. The county also said it plans to use a Virginia Tech partnership and modeling tools to test alternative boundary scenarios and will present options to the school board as the review proceeds.

Ending: Staff said they will continue working with LCPS and the school board on boundary proposals, model scenarios using shared data, and brief the committees during the CIP and boundary cycles before final decisions are adopted by the school board and supervisors.

","Loudoun County planning staff and LCPS presented a five‑year cadence for comprehensive school attendance zone reviews tied to the capital improvements program. Staff said they will prioritize secondary schools first, aim to balance capacity across schools and plan for HS‑14’s opening when drawing new boundaries.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6534298,"Advisory Commission on Youth presents 2025 State of Loudoun Youth report; members highlight absenteeism, mental health and access to teen spaces",1130,1320000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3631973-8d9dda02a8927d6138c7f09bb026fd14&start=1320&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3631973-8d9dda02a8927d6138c7f09bb026fd14/thumbnail_1320000.jpg","/articles/6534298/Virginia/Advisory-Commission-on-Youth-presents-2025-State-of-Loudoun-Youth-report-members-highlight-absenteeism-mental-health-and-access-to-teen-spaces","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534298-df20d011c9f6044bbe94fe3197863c3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771066111&Signature=QZNYmU~pnDeyqoPWDiuB30LA1U2Ew1Qtzp9UIw35GeS8KC0jKhjr0WxoQp7iM3KBFYKZy0l7AsYiabAYTLNu5kAAYKL5eBXJ7QBMzL37hkj4MT-v5jAfuRk-BtcugnLfH3YRlooXsBGwXAhKNSJ--w2QtNS-sjdWILOT0~wIy~vKVkI~WLIYGFZNvyldelY32rraTqBFhdmbESRE0Sym434Zni-kAZ2lYBv8GvI5onOkxxGXSfhm0uM53OCNX9gh-ULJviwM7Q5y235ivgA0s46LuO3Bx3JKbtGW4dkLue4mLCoMzc70FD7MjIcjn3OCP339JRXpJb674kHjFv7hsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Advisory Commission on Youth presented its 2025 State of Loudoun Youth report on June 2 to the joint Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and School Board committee, summarizing survey results, county and state data, and recommendations to increase youth access to safe, unstructured spaces and mental-health resources.

Dr. Goldman, chair of the Advisory Commission on Youth, and Griffin Cook, an Ashburn representative who worked on the report, highlighted three headline concerns: observable declines in curiosity and engagement among some students, gaps in social and emotional skills and increased academic apathy or skill loss. The commission also cited chronic absenteeism as a continuing challenge, disproportionately affecting some student populations.

Why it matters: the commission framed absenteeism and mental-health trends as risks to graduation and long-term outcomes, and recommended targeted outreach, expanded facility hours and transport access to county-owned teen spaces.

Findings and recommendations

The commission said its report combines LCPS data, a commission survey and state data where available. It reported that over 1,000 bullying incidents were reported and addressed by Loudoun County Public Schools administrators during the 2023–24 school year, based on Virginia Department of Education data presented to the commission. The commissioners said school-related stress appeared frequently in survey responses from both students and parents, and that parents ranked online bullying as a high stressor for youth.

The report assessed physical access to county facilities and recommended three main changes: extend operating hours of community centers, recreation centers and libraries on Fridays and Saturdays; increase the number of county-owned facilities with dedicated teen amenities (the report said dedicated teen spaces exist in 3 of 7 community centers and in 1 recreation center); and extend Loudoun County Transit local service to additional county facilities (the report found less than half of recreation and community centers and only one of eight district parks are accessible by local bus routes).

The commission also described outreach and data limitations. The commission’s own survey included roughly 268 youth respondents and about 68 parents (the presenters said they are continuing efforts to increase response rates and noted constraints on incentivizing participation because of privacy concerns). The commission said it plans a youth summit in 2026 to collect more direct input.

County and board discussion

Supervisors and school board members questioned the data’s causes and asked for more detail. Cochair Randall asked whether the report identified why school was the primary driver of stress; presenters said multiple, overlapping factors contribute—academic pressure, competitive norms, family expectations, and social factors depending on the student. County staff and LCPS representatives said some absenteeism is tied to English-language learners, family responsibilities and work; LCPS leaders said they are expanding EL supports.

Supervisors raised disparities in graduation and dropout rates among Hispanic students and asked about follow-up for students who leave school midstream. Presenters and LCPS staff said multiple graduation pathways exist and that communication about alternatives and supports is an ongoing challenge.

On substance use and vaping, commissioners described pilot programs to test confiscated devices to determine contents and said alcohol, marijuana and vaping were the most commonly reported substances in student surveys; speakers cautioned that alcohol-related harms and benzodiazepine risks warrant attention. Presenters also said Loudoun’s overdose mortality trends compare favorably with surrounding counties, in part because of local training and interventions.

Ending: Commissioners asked the board and school leaders to consider the report’s recommendations—expanded hours, teen amenities and transit access—and to partner on a 2026 youth summit and targeted outreach to populations with higher absenteeism and lower graduation rates.

","The Advisory Commission on Youth presented its 2025 State of Loudoun Youth report on June 2, citing chronic absenteeism disparities, concerns about stress and mental health, access to county facilities and transportation gaps. The report recommends extended hours and teen-dedicated spaces at county facilities and increased outreach to families.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge undergrounding or lower-impact route for Dominion Energy Golden-to-Mars line; county staff to engage SCC process

County and LCPS outline five-year attendance zone review and CIP implications as enrollment patterns shift

Advisory Commission on Youth presents 2025 State of Loudoun Youth report; members highlight absenteeism, mental health and access to teen spaces