Board approves Dominion Energy substation expansion with amended conditions
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Summary
After a public hearing and debate about infrastructure and potential ancillary uses, the board approved a special exception allowing Dominion Energy to expand an existing substation, subject to amended conditions and staff follow‑up on a nearby older solar special exception.
The Prince George County Board of Supervisors on March 31 approved a special exception for Dominion Energy to expand an existing electrical substation, after staff presentations, public comment and clarifying exchanges with the applicant.
Planning staff described Special Exception SE250005: the request would permit expansion of a substation on a 0.97‑acre parcel in split RA/R‑1 zoning, requiring a site plan, screening, fencing and other conditions recommended by the Planning Commission. Staff noted the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions following a January hearing.
Dominion representative Chris McDonald told the board the project is an equipment modernization that will replace aging transformers and relays with modern equivalents and a control enclosure that allows remote operation. McDonald said the work will replace like‑for‑like voltage capacity and is intended to increase operational resilience; he added the upgrade permits bidirectional flow but the company has no present plan to serve a nearby solar farm.
Residents raised questions about long‑term intent, possible ties between local approvals and larger energy or data‑center development, electromagnetic exposure and visibility of substations in residential areas. Several speakers urged more transparency and suggested staff involve Dominion to answer technical concerns. An electrical engineer in the audience urged approval based on engineering needs.
Fire and EMS staff met with the applicant and recommended revisions to conditions related to Knox‑box placement; staff advised the board that if the board accepted fire/EMS input the ordinance's draft condition addressing the Knox box would need to be removed or modified.
A motion to approve the special exception — amended consistent with the fire/EMS input and with board direction to review a previously approved but inactive solar special exception nearby — passed on roll call with one abstention (Cox) and four members voting yes. The board directed staff to confirm older special‑exception records and to ensure any recommended conditions and site‑plan requirements are reflected in the final ordinance.
Dominion said construction timelines are time‑sensitive because the project is part of state grid‑transformation funding and associated deadlines, but the company said a 30‑day delay would not make the project impossible. Staff cautioned that tabling the matter to a later meeting for additional review would require re‑advertising a planning item per state code.