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Louisa County adds transmission‑corridor policy to 2040 comprehensive plan to strengthen review of ValleyLink and future lines
Summary
The Louisa County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an amendment to the 2040 comprehensive plan establishing siting principles for electric transmission corridors, urging use of existing corridors and requiring route-justification when new corridors are proposed. Supporters said the policy gives the county a stronger 'seat at the table' in state reviews.
The Louisa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously May 18 to add an electric transmission infrastructure and corridor policy to the county's 2040 comprehensive plan.
Planning staff told the board the amendment sets primary siting principles — including preference for existing corridors, avoidance of residential, agricultural and forested areas, and evaluation of route alternatives — and requires applicants to explain why a new corridor is needed instead of using existing rights-of-way.
"This will help us," the planning presenter said, describing the change as a tool the State Corporation Commission or State Energy Commission can use to review proposed routes for projects such as ValleyLink. The board and staff emphasized the policy is meant to strengthen the county’s position, not to unreasonably block consideration.
Members of the public and planning commissioners spoke in favor. Amy Ware, a Jackson District parks advisory member, praised the regional coordination and said the amendment made her feel residents had influence over large infrastructure proposals. Chris Liles of the Mineral District told the board he supported the inclusion for future weight in reviews even if it may be too late for existing route proposals.
Planning staff and supervisors acknowledged trade-offs: too-rigid language could be rejected by state regulators, but too-weak language could leave the county without a formal basis to ask developers to justify routing decisions. The amendment, staff said, strikes a middle ground by demanding applicants document alternatives and explain deviations from the comprehensive plan.
The board adopted the amendment after a motion and second and recorded a unanimous "aye" vote. The resolution takes effect as part of the county's comprehensive plan; staff said it will be part of the record when future transmission projects are filed with state regulators.
The county will also continue regional coordination with neighboring jurisdictions that have considered similar language, officials said.
