Aspen to Golden

To view visual simulations of the existing landscape and proposed facilities, visit the Community Engagement tab.

To work on possible solutions, Dominion Energy has engaged some of the leading underground experts in the country. Undergrounding does not offer any cost, schedule, or operational benefit. There are several factors when evaluating a project of this magnitude. Some factors are: cost, reliability, the technical capability, and safety of 500 kilovolts (kV) lines buried underground. Additional considerations include:

• Dominion Energy must ensure the in-service date can be met to address the community’s reliability needs. Undergrounding this line will take longer and will cause Dominion to miss the in-service date.
• Undergrounding the line requires almost the same right of way as an overhead solution.
• Underground construction is more impactful and invasive to the environment than overhead construction. Overhead only requires disturbances where poles are located.
• Regarding a “hybrid” option: Transitioning underground in the middle of the route is not feasible. Transitioning from overhead conductor to underground cable requires a transition station to be built, which needs a significant amount of real estate.
• The cost for an underground solution is significantly higher (7-10 times more) than an overhead solution. Dominion Energy must present options which are prudent and responsible for SCC consideration.

There are several barriers to Dominion Energy adding more structures in this area. A 500 kV line requires a wider right-of-way which does not fit into the existing W&OD trail easement. This additional right of way would impact numerous homes. The lines along the W&OD are critical to reliable service, and Dominion would not be able to take them out of service to relocate.

Substations are not just for data centers. They are designed to lower transmission line voltage to distribution level voltage. Substations provide power to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, etc.

New or additional transmission infrastructure serves a broader community or regional area by providing additional reliability and operational flexibility. Eastern Loudoun is truly unique due to having the world’s greatest concentration of data centers and the related demand for electricity. The Aspen to Golden project provides critical reinforcement of our area electric grid. This will bring power closer to the thriving areas.

Dominion Energy intends to file an application with the SCC for the Aspen to Golden project later this year. That application will include a detailed routing study with quantitative and qualitative analysis of the various routes. The application will also include Dominion’s preferred route, which has yet to be determined.

After Dominion Energy submits its application for the project, the SCC will post the application on its website for public review at scc.virginia.gov. The SCC will then issue a Procedural Order, which sets the schedule for the case, invites public comments and formal participation. The SCC review includes multiple opportunities to provide comments.

Dominion Energy is looking closely at the impacts of new infrastructure on existing homes as well as planned developments. One Loudoun is developing right now, and options are being evaluated. There’s a lot of density there, including multifamily housing, stormwater ponds and existing buried utilities adjacent to route 7. No homes are currently in the potential right-of-way on Route 7, and Dominion Energy is very aware of planned development.

All energy customers throughout the Commonwealth share the costs of transmission infrastructure projects through their electric bills. The costs are split proportionally based on energy usage, so high energy-using customers pay for a higher proportion of energy infrastructure projects. Transmission projects have broad utility in supporting all customers; that is why all customers cover these costs. The electrical grid is a shared resource that everyone uses.

Electric rates in Virginia are determined in rate cases conducted by the State Corporation Commission (SCC). By State law, “reasonable and prudent” transmission costs are recoverable through rate surcharges on customers’ bills. Your bill lists this surcharge under Electricity Supply Service (ESS).