Board backs Dominion plan to co‑locate new transmission line into Culpeper Tech Zone; SCC application to follow

Dominion Energy told the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 10 that it plans to file an application with the State Corporation Commission to add a second 230‑kV double‑circuit transmission line into the Culpeper Tech Zone and to study multiple routing options.

Dominion spokesman Steve Precker described a preferred co‑location route that would largely follow an existing transmission corridor to reduce new land impacts, with an alternate route under study to avoid a Virginia Outdoors Foundation conservation easement. The board voted to approve a draft resolution posted to the county’s board materials that expresses a preference for the co‑location option.

Why it matters: The transmission upgrades are tied to anticipated power demands for data centers in the Culpeper Tech Zone. Dominion said the work may require additional 115‑foot double‑circuit monopoles in places and that the SCC review process can take eight to 12 months after filing.

Dominion outlined project needs including one new double‑circuit 230‑kV transmission line, four new substations in the tech zone and upgrades to nearby 115‑kV lines. Precker described efforts to minimize impacts by co‑locating where possible and said the company had met with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) but could not co‑locate in one conservation easement area, which requires the route to swing south and tie into the corridor at a different point.

“We always look at whether we can co‑locate with existing infrastructure to reasonably minimize the impact to property owners,” Precker said, adding that, if approved, the project would result in an average pole height of roughly 115 feet for the new double‑circuit monopoles and an approximate 40‑foot increase where lines are elevated above existing structures.

Dominion plans two public community meetings: one in Culpeper and one in Orange County, and has mailed notices to property owners within 1,000 feet of proposed routes. The company also described interactive maps and an email address for the public to submit comments.

Board action: A supervisor moved and the board carried a resolution posted in the meeting packet that expresses the county’s preference for the co‑location route; the meeting record shows the motion was adopted without recorded dissent. The motion text as recorded in meeting minutes was to “approve the draft resolution posted to board docs.” The mover and second were not specified in the public transcript.

Next steps: Dominion said it intends to file with the State Corporation Commission in the first quarter of 2025; the company estimated SCC review could take eight to 12 months and said construction and energization could target the second quarter of 2028. Dominion staff and county officials said they will continue public outreach during the SCC process.