Committee advances bill directing SCC to prioritize transmission routes away from homes, schools and places of worship
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Summary
HB 1491 would require the State Corporation Commission to prioritize routes at least 150 feet away from homes, schools, daycares and houses of worship when practical; supporters said it protects communities while utilities said negotiations produced a reasonable draft; the subcommittee reported the substitute 6–2.
Delegate Doug Singh told the subcommittee HB 1491 directs the State Corporation Commission to determine that proposed transmission routes will reasonably avoid homes and other sensitive sites and to prioritize routes at least 150 feet away from homes, schools, daycares and houses of worship when a practical alternative exists. "Let's put our residents first," Singh said.
Localities and county attorneys supported the measure. Jan Gustafsson, an attorney for Loudoun County, said the bill would add careful consideration for the environment and siting when placing transmission lines. Online speakers from affected neighborhoods described fear and health concerns; Meredith Pack, an online commenter whose home sits roughly 145 feet from a proposed 500 kV line, said parents in her neighborhood feared long-term health impacts and urged lawmakers to prioritize residential safety.
Dominion Energy thanked the patron for working through concerns and said the revised language landed in a reasonable place. With no in-room opposition, the subcommittee reported the substitute 6–2.
What happens next: The substitute advances to the next stage for committee consideration with SCC and stakeholder input.