Goochland supervisors unanimously oppose ValleyLink transmission line after residents’ testimony

The Goochland County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously April 7 to adopt a resolution formally opposing the proposed ValleyLink Joshua Falls‑to‑Yeet 765 kilovolt transmission line, after hours of public comment from residents who said the project would harm farms, homes and the county’s rural character.

The resolution, read into the record by Dr. Raley, expresses the board’s position that several proposed routes would create new overhead corridors across Goochland and place steel lattice towers about 150‑165 feet high in agricultural and residential areas. “Goochland County formally opposes the construction of the ValleyLink Joshua Falls‑to‑Yeet 765 kilovolt transmission line as currently proposed,” Dr. Raley said while reading the measure.

In a packed public‑comment period earlier in the day and again during the evening session, residents described potential impacts on property values, noise and environmental resources. Julie Muniz, a western Goochland resident, said, “We will fight to keep Dominion Energy from defacing the countryside we call home.” Christie Payne told the board the loss in property value would ripple across the county and affect schools and services.

Supervisors discussed the resolution’s language and regional coordination; several members noted neighboring localities are taking similar positions. After discussion, the board called for a roll‑call vote; all five members voted in favor and the resolution passed.

The resolution directs staff to coordinate with neighboring localities, the State Corporation Commission, members of the General Assembly and Congress and authorizes the county administrator and county attorney to explore participating more fully in the SCC process, including the possibility of appearing as a respondent rather than only as a public witness.

Residents asked the county for clearer guidance on how to intervene in state and federal processes and for the county to provide better communications about timelines and comment procedures. Dr. Raley and other staff urged residents to submit comments to ValleyLink and the State Corporation Commission and to remain engaged in the process.

The board’s action is advisory to state and federal regulators; the Virginia State Corporation Commission and federal permitting authorities retain decision‑making authority over route approvals and siting of related infrastructure.

The board’s resolution and the text the county read into the record will be transmitted to ValleyLink, Dominion Energy, TransSource Energy, the Virginia State Corporation Commission and lawmakers, per the resolution.

The board took the vote during the regular afternoon session; no litigation or formal condemnation actions were taken at the meeting.