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Local advocates urge Fauquier supervisors to back underground HVDC option and oppose Morrisville substation expansion
Summary
At citizens time, Mike Fultz of Protec Fauquier told supervisors that PJM is evaluating 17 transmission proposals affecting the county and thanked the board for supporting Dominion's underground HVDC option while urging rejection of Morrisville substation expansion and above-ground routing through Fauquier.
During citizens time at the Oct. 19 meeting, Mike Fultz of Protec Fauquier briefed the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors about multiple regional transmission proposals under review by PJM and urged local leaders to continue supporting underground high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission where proposed.
Fultz said PJM is evaluating 17 proposals that could affect Fauquier County, describing Project 352 (the Dominion proposal for an underground HVDC route) as a historic shift for Dominion to present an underground alternative to the regional grid operator. He also highlighted a proposal from LS Power (Project 260) that would add 500 kV lines and would enlarge the Morrisville substation, which Fultz warned could make Morrisville a "super substation" and invite further transmission corridors through the area.
"This is the first time in Dominion history they've come to PJM with an underground transmission solution," Fultz said, thanking the board for earlier expressions of support. He urged the board to oppose above-ground expansions that would change the county’s rural view shed and to consider routing alternatives farther east where load growth is greatest.
Board members acknowledged the briefing and noted Dominion has scheduled a planning commission public hearing on the Morrisville substation expansion; staff and the board indicated they would follow PJM's down-select process and revisit specific proposals as needed.
