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Goochland officials announce April vote on resolution opposing Valley Link transmission route
Summary
Goochland County administrators told a packed town hall that the Board of Supervisors will consider a formal resolution opposing the Valley Link transmission route on April 7, responding to residents' concerns about property impacts, transparency and whether local residents will benefit from the line.
Goochland County officials told residents at a town hall meeting that the Board of Supervisors will vote on April 7 on a resolution opposing the Valley Link transmission route that several residents said threatens farms, viewsheds and property values.
County Administrator Jeremy said the county had received "multitude of emails" after an open house with roughly 360 attendees and that "our residents are in opposition to that." He said the board is drafting a resolution that will be published with the agenda and formally considered at the April 7 meeting.
The announcement prompted sustained public comment. A resident who attended the Valley Link open house said she was not listed as affected on maps until she insisted and that staff later identified "alternate H" that is next to her home. The resident told the room, "They're not being told the truth. They're being told lies," expressing distrust in the process and concern about how routes were mapped.
Residents also raised questions about who benefits from the transmission line. One attendee said the power will supply data centers in other localities, not Goochland, a point Jeremy said the board is likely to include in the resolution: that the route would "go through Goochland" without providing direct benefits to local residents. Jeremy reiterated that the county cannot grant or deny the project; he said that Valley Link will apply to the State Corporation Commission and that the SEC will make the final regulatory decision.
Officials described next steps for public participation: the county will post route maps when they become available, encourage use of Valley Link's feedback channels, and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions. Jeremy said he will represent the county at an upcoming regional meeting and urged residents to continue to provide input through community meetings and the Valley Link website.
The town hall closed with officials promising more transparency and a reminder that the board will formally consider the resolution on April 7. The county will accept public comment at that meeting and at subsequent hearings before the board sets tax rates and adopts its budget in the spring.
