Louisa council directs staff to finalize resolution opposing ValleyLink transmission proposal

The Louisa Town Council reviewed a draft resolution opposing the proposed ValleyLink high‑voltage transmission project and directed staff to finalize edits that clarify route proximity and request consideration of underground alternatives.

The move came after council members said the draft needed a clearer statement of the route's impact near town and language asking developers to examine alternatives such as high‑voltage direct‑current underground lines.

"We wanted to make sure that we were speaking to kind of some specificity regarding the transmission line," the mayor said during discussion, describing the intent to communicate the town's concerns to ValleyLink and to the locality's state and federal delegations. Council member (speaker 3) later said, "We're opposing the whole project," underscoring coordinated opposition with the county.

Members debated how specific the resolution should be about distance from town infrastructure; one councilor suggested inserting an approximate figure (about 400 feet) into the draft so the town's position would cite a concrete proximity concern. Others urged adding a sentence that asks reviewers to consider underground HVDC options used elsewhere.

Council did not finalize text on the floor; instead, members directed staff to incorporate the requested edits, circulate the revised draft to council for review and to coordinate messaging with the county. Staff said they would send an edited version for review and noted the town intends to share its position with state and congressional delegations.

The council's direction does not itself change any permit or regulatory process; subsequent steps include circulating the revised resolution for council approval and forwarding the town's position to external agencies and representatives.