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Residents press board on FirstEnergy transmission‑line impacts and urge action on data‑center rules
Summary
Multiple residents and interest groups told the board they are worried about the impacts of new transmission lines proposed by FirstEnergy and urged the county to prepare for data‑center proposals; some speakers asked the board to push for greater transparency from utilities and to consider changes to county code or press the state for broader moratoria.
During the public‑comment period the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors heard several speakers raise concerns about proposed transmission lines tied to large‑scale energy projects and about the prospect of data centers and associated infrastructure in the region.
Erin Hunt (Piedmont District) said FirstEnergy has not been forthcoming about construction impacts, environmental review and visual effects and asked the board to push for more community information; she said she had requested environmental impact statements and reported the project’s schedule may have slipped to September. "I would like to see a little more information, particularly on the environmental impacts, the visual impacts, and what work they've done with Shenandoah National Park ... and in particular, their lines that are gonna cross the Appalachian Trail," the speaker said.
Justin Locke (Piedmont District) recounted two recent storms in which power lines fell and sparked fires near his home, described evacuating his young daughter and urged the board to consider burying vulnerable transmission lines to reduce wildfire risk.
Pomerley, representing the Piedmont Environmental Council, urged the board not to adopt an elaborate local data‑center ordinance that could inadvertently create a pathway for such facilities to locate in the county; instead the speaker recommended pressing the state for a moratorium and seeking clearer guidance from county legal counsel and the zoning administrator. Christine Smith asked the board to monitor data‑center developments and to have staff or outside experts ready to advise the board when formal applications arrive, citing the county’s limited capacity to respond promptly.
Board members did not take formal action on transmission‑line permitting or data‑center regulation during the meeting; comments were entered for the record and supervisors acknowledged constituents’ concerns and the limits of local authority over utilities and state‑level economic development policy.
