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Mineral bodies back resolution opposing ValleyLink route through Louisa County
Summary
At a joint session Feb. 26, the Mineral Planning Commission and council reviewed and amended a joint resolution opposing parts of the proposed ValleyLink high-voltage transmission route through Louisa County; the draft cited environmental, property-value and health concerns and was revised before the bodies proceeded to consider adoption.
The Mineral Planning Commission and the Town Council reviewed a joint resolution on Feb. 26 opposing portions of the proposed ValleyLink transmission project that would add roughly 20 miles of new high-voltage line through Louisa County.
A presenter read the draft resolution aloud and noted the text was closely drawn from a county resolution already adopted by Louisa County officials. The draft identified two proposed routes and said one would run through roughly 20 miles of Louisa County timber, farmland and residential areas. The preamble cited potential effects on agricultural and forest land, property values and close proximity to schools and residences.
Commissioners and councilmembers edited the draft to remove language that suggested an alternative "more direct route"—they struck the phrase that compared routes and left the resolution focused on the town's opposition to the proposal as drawn. The meeting record shows planning commission action to recommend the revised resolution for council consideration.
During discussion speakers raised visual and potential health concerns about very large transmission towers and proximity to Lake Anna and local schools. One commissioner asked whether the resolution should oppose any route through Louisa County or only the longer route that would add miles through the county; meeting participants agreed to tie the wording to the County-focused objection and to align Mineral's position with surrounding localities that have taken similar steps.
Next steps: The planning commission forwarded its recommendation; the council discussed adoption of the amended resolution during the meeting. The transcript records edits and motions to approve the resolution as amended; the final administrative record of the council's vote is in the meeting minutes.
