Residents urge supervisors to oppose Valley Link transmission line; board directs staff to send letter to PJM

Dozens of Buckingham County residents told the Board of Supervisors during a lengthy public-comment period that they oppose proposed changes to the Valley Link Joshua Falls-to-Yeet 765-kilovolt transmission line and urged the board to press PJM for stricter review.

"No issue in this county is more important than this," said Amy Crawford (District 4), who told the board she and local groups had delivered a petition with eight requests and that PJM is expected to decide on scope changes in July. "If we let Dominion and Valley Link get a foothold with this transmission line, it is game over. The county as we know it will be completely destroyed," Crawford said.

Multiple residents recounted local impacts they said the line would bring: threats to farmland and rural character, interference with groundwater and private wells, and traffic or safety problems along narrow rural roads. Joseph Anthony urged the board to act on specific petition items, including creating a dedicated webpage, representing Buckingham at regional meetings, and contacting state legislators. Johnny Schilling said he circulated a template letter modeled on a neighboring county and urged supervisors to send Buckingham-specific letters to PJM.

"It doesn't appear to me that a backbone for industrial development that has towers taller than the Statue of Liberty every quarter mile fits with what Buckingham wants," said Irene Leech (District 5), describing the comprehensive plan and urging the board to weigh in before PJM moves forward.

Speakers also proposed local policy options. Ted Flipping (District 1) suggested that, if the line were approved, the county require costly permits for each tower: "Make it hurt," he said, arguing the board could impose a high per‑tower fee.

After going into an executive session for legal consultation, the board reported it had directed the county attorney and county administrator to send a letter to PJM expressing Buckingham County's specific concerns with the Valley Link project. The board approved that direction on the record when it returned to open session.

The resident speakers said they were coordinating with the Rural Virginia Coalition, a recently formed nonprofit, and continuing local outreach. Crawford also noted an upcoming Valley Link community meeting scheduled for Saturday, June 13, which she urged supervisors to attend.

The board did not take a final public vote on a formal ordinance at the meeting; its recorded action was to authorize staff to send the letter to PJM and to continue coordinating with counsel and staff.