Louisa County supervisors unanimously oppose Valley Link transmission route and urge undergrounding or rerouting

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution March 16 opposing the construction of the proposed Valley Link Joshua Falls–Yeet 765 kilovolt transmission line through Louisa County and urging the State Corporation Commission and utilities to prioritize routing alternatives that avoid the county or place the line underground. The board amended the resolution to remove the phrase “as currently proposed,” broadening the opposition to any route that would traverse the county.

The resolution, read aloud by county staff, described proposed routes that could place roughly 20 miles of new overhead corridor through the county, using steel lattice structures approaching 160 feet in height and requiring permanently cleared rights‑of‑way. “An overhead 765 kilovolt line would cause significant and irreparable harm to Louisa County’s rural character, agricultural heritage, and forest lands,” the text states, and it urges the utilities and the Virginia State Corporation Commission to require alternatives that minimize impacts to working agricultural and forestry lands and consider routing alongside existing corridors where feasible.

Why it matters: Residents and supervisors said the transmission line would pass close to homes and schools, harm viewsheds, and could depress property values. Dozens of residents urged the board to oppose the route and press for undergrounding; some also filed or were encouraged to file formal FERC comments this week. The board signaled plans to coordinate with neighboring counties and to host a multi‑county summit to present a unified response.

Board discussion and amendment: Supervisor Williams moved to delete limiting language so the resolution opposed the line “in the county, period.” He said the fight is regional and urged citizens to direct their frustration at the utilities rather than the board. Chair Weems described pathways to stop the project — including zoning and permitting steps required where a new substation would be sited — and said Louisa County will offer to host a summit of affected counties to coordinate strategy and outreach.

Public comments that preceded the vote included a range of claims about health, wildlife and property impacts. David Rogers, a Mineral District resident, said the project could reduce property values and “cause health problems to not only people, but the livestock.” Amy Daney (Patrick Henry District) urged rapid citizen action and said citizens must get FERC paperwork filed by the coming Friday and contact legislators and the governor to amplify opposition. Several residents and speakers with utility and construction experience urged the county to press utilities to explain why undergrounding was not being used.

Outcome and next steps: After discussion and the amendment, the board voted “aye” unanimously to adopt the resolution. The board directed staff to forward copies of the resolution to the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the governor, and state legislative representatives and said it would reach out to neighboring counties to coordinate further action.

Quotes: "We are in this fight together," Supervisor Williams said during debate. "Pull your anger and frustration where it needs to go — at Dominion and Valley Link." Amy Daney urged residents to "get those FERC paperwork in by the twentieth," referring to the federal comment deadline.

The board approved the resolution without recorded individual roll‑call votes beyond the unanimous voice vote. The county indicated it will pursue coordinated regional outreach and submit the adopted resolution to state and regulatory officials.