Fluvanna supervisors unanimously adopt resolution opposing ValleyLink Joshua Falls 765 kV transmission line

The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously April 1 to adopt a resolution formally opposing ValleyLink's proposed Joshua Falls'Yeat 765 kilovolt transmission project, a 115‑mile regional line that would cross Fluvanna County on a 200‑foot right‑of‑way.

County Attorney "Mister Whitten" summarized the resolution, which characterizes the project's towers as up to roughly 160 feet tall inside a 200‑foot easement and states that, within Fluvanna, no portions of the route would be within existing easements and that the project would affect dozens of parcels requiring acquisition or potentially eminent domain. The resolution says the line would have "financial, environmental, visual, historical, cultural and health" impacts on residents and would harm the county's rural character and tax base if property values decline. The board directed that the resolution be forwarded to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), the governor and Fluvanna's General Assembly representatives.

ValleyLink representatives presented technical rationale and a draft routing map before the vote. Greg Mathy, Dominion Energy's public engagement lead for the project, and Adam McGuire, a project manager, told the board the joint venture (Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, TransSource) formed ValleyLink to address projected load growth and reliability constraints identified by PJM. ValleyLink said peak demand in the region is rising rapidly and that the 765 kV AC line would create a high‑capacity backbone to move power from generation sources to growing load pockets. The company described two primary route alternatives through Fluvanna and said it plans a second round of open houses in June and an SCC application targeted for September 2026.

Supervisors pressed ValleyLink on multiple topics during Q&A: how the routes were developed, whether existing linear corridors were considered (citing newly signed HB 889/SB 497 directing priority consideration of linear infrastructure), the status of a proposed Yeat substation in Culpeper, and whether the project could be shifted onto existing utility property to reduce private‑land impacts. ValleyLink said in many places collocating with existing corridors was not feasible, estimated the Fluvanna crossing at roughly 17–21 miles depending on final alignment, and confirmed the project's high‑voltage easement would be cleared and maintained.

Residents who spoke during an extended public comment period urged the board to oppose the project and to coordinate legally with neighboring counties. Speakers repeatedly cited likely declines in property values, risks to historic sites and unmarked graves, potential damage to wetlands and wildlife habitat, concerns about herbicide use in rights‑of‑way, and health worries about electromagnetic fields. "This land is our legacy," one resident said, and others pressed the board to pursue intervener status in the SCC case and to ask ValleyLink to consider undergrounding or other alternatives where feasible.

Motion and vote: Supervisor Sheridan moved to adopt the resolution; Supervisor Cote seconded. The chair called the question and the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: ValleyLink said it will hold a second round of open houses in June and expects to file an SCC application in September 2026; the resolution will be forwarded to the SCC, the governor and the county's state representatives. The board and several speakers said they would pursue regional coordination with neighboring counties, legal review and potential intervention in the SCC process.

(Reporting note: direct quotes and attributions in this article come from the meeting transcript and from speakers who identified themselves on the record at the April 1 meeting.)