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Residents raise alarm about proposed Dominion power lines, data center impacts
Summary
Public commenters at the May 8 board meeting urged the county to scrutinize proposed high‑voltage transmission lines tied to data center growth and to consider tax and land‑use implications after a separate Manassas meeting revealed bank tenants may be tax‑exempt under state law.
Several residents used citizens’ time at the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 8 to raise concerns about proposed Dominion Energy transmission lines and the local effects of data center development.
Supervisor comments noted Dominion will host an open house on May 13 to present two proposed transmission routes — a 500 kV line and a 230 kV line — from southern Fauquier into Prince William County. Residents were encouraged to attend the open house at Mary Walter Elementary School.
Speaker Mike Fultz (Scott District) said a Manassas City Council meeting revealed that a data center’s “secret tenant” was a bank and, citing Virginia law, warned banks can be exempt from local business personal property and BPOL taxes. “Truths, half truths, and outright falsehoods can pepper the legislative record,” Fultz warned, quoting land‑use attorney John Foote on the need to reduce commitments to legally binding proffers. He urged caution when approving land‑use applications tied to large facilities.
Chris Colvin and Anna Russo said proposed transmission line routes and other infrastructure associated with data centers could cut through rural property, subjecting farms and conserved lands to new corridors. Russo, addressing speeding and safety concerns on Elk Run Road, also referenced House Bill 2041, which she said failed this year and would have allowed local governments to permit speed cameras in high‑risk areas; she said enforcement options are of interest to residents on rural roads.
The board encouraged residents to attend Dominion’s open house and indicated the county would add speed‑camera authority to its legislative agenda for the next year. No board action on power lines or data center land use occurred that evening; the items were discussed as citizen comment and supervisor announcements.
