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Dominion Energy outlines plan to rebuild 500 kV transmission line through Powhatan County
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Summary
Dominion Energy told the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors it plans to rebuild an existing 500 kilovolt transmission line using the current right-of-way, transfer co-located 230 kV circuits to new single structures, and file with the Virginia State Corporation Commission in August; company officials said construction could begin in 2028 pending approvals.
Dominion Energy managers presented a proposal on April 27 to rebuild an aging 500 kilovolt transmission line that runs through eastern Powhatan County and to consolidate a neighboring 230 kV circuit onto new single structures within the existing right-of-way.
Julia Levitt, Dominion's manager of state and local affairs, opened the presentation and introduced Carrie Rose Pace from the company's electric transmission team, who described the technical approach. "This is an existing transmission line that has reliably served customers in this area for many decades," Pace said, adding that the line is reaching the end of its service life and the company plans to use the existing corridor to rebuild the 500 kV line while transferring the 230 kV wires to the new structures.
Pace told the board the project affects roughly 102 modern-day property parcels in Powhatan County and involves rebuilding 38 structures within the county. She said Dominion intends to file an application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission in August and expects, pending approvals and permitting, to begin rebuilding activities in 2028. The company also said it will keep the existing 500 kV line in service during construction and then demolish the older lattice towers when the new structures are operational.
Board members asked about local impacts including temporary traffic pauses when wires are pulled across roadways and how construction access and equipment will be managed. Pace said construction will be sequenced to minimize disturbance, use existing access where possible, and include traffic control (flagging or police) for short pauses; she also described an online interactive portal and promised more community engagement meetings before construction.
Dominion emphasized two goals: keeping power reliably on for customers and making room in the existing right-of-way for future transmission needs. Company representatives noted broader system context: the full 500 kV corridor stretches about 80 miles from Carson Substation (Dinwiddie) to North Anna Substation (Louisa) and the region’s power needs are projected to grow substantially by 2045.
The board did not take action at the meeting; company staff said there will be virtual and in-person community engagement sessions (Powhatan meeting scheduled at the event venue identified in the presentation) and invited residents to provide feedback during the regulatory process.
