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Bristers Substation Expansion Project

Project Overview

Dominion Energy is constantly evaluating its electric transmission infrastructure to continue meeting the needs of its customers. As Northern Virginia's energy needs continue to grow, additional infrastructure is necessary to maintain safe and reliable electric service and comply with federal mandates. Expanding Bristers Substation will provide relief to near-capacity elements of the electric transmission system to prevent service issues as energy demand continues to rise.

The Bristers Substation Expansion Project will install a new transformer and associated equipment on Dominion Energy-owned property; therefore, we will not need to acquire any new land. The expanded portion of the substation will be built on a separate footprint surrounded by a security fence to mitigate impact to wetlands.

To mitigate impact to wetlands on the property, the project will include a separate footprint surrounded by a security fence. The expansion will work in tandem with the already existing Bristers Substation.

Project Outcome

The new equipment added with the Bristers Substation expansion will provide operational flexibility to maintain reliable electric service for customers in Fauquier County and beyond.

Benefits

  • Project within existing Dominion Energy property limits
  • New structures located in the same general location as existing structures
  • Complies with mandatory standards to ensure safety, reliability and to meet future needs
  • Minimizes impact to the community and environment
     

Timeline

  • Fall 2022: Project announcement
  • August 2023: Fauquier County Board of Supervisors approved the Special Exception for the Bristers/Anderson Branch Substation Expansion (Agenda)
  • Winter/Spring 2025: Pre-construction activities
  • Summer 2025: Construction scheduled to begin
  • Late 2026: Expected Project Completion

Documents

Construction Related Impacts

Service Interruption

Your electric service is not expected to be impacted by this project.

Neighborhood

Access to surrounding neighborhoods will not be impacted.

Traffic

This project is not expected to impact traffic.

Noise

Noise levels will be moderate; permits are in place.

Environment

This project may have limited environmental impacts.

FAQs

A substation is a facility that changes voltage from high to low or from low to high, among other important functions. When electric transmission lines enter a substation, the voltage is lowered using transformers. The lower voltage electricity is delivered to customers using electric distribution lines.

The Bristers Substation expansion makes room for new equipment to support reliability in Fauquier County. The addition of a transformer and associated equipment will double the capacity at the substation, allowing power to continue flowing through the area and into customers’ homes and businesses if an unexpected loss of service affects other Dominion Energy assets. As energy demand continues to rise, the additional capacity provided by this new equipment will also be increasingly important to support daily customer needs.

Dominion Energy intended to expand the existing substation directly adjacent to the current footprint. However, to mitigate impacts to wetlands on the property where Bristers Substation is located, the expanded portion will include a separate footprint surrounded by a security fence. This solution helps protect the environment while minimizing impact to neighbors.

The expansion will be named Anderson Branch Substation and work in tandem with the already existing Bristers Substation.

No, the acquisition of additional property is not necessary. Dominion Energy already owns all land needed for this project.

Expanding Bristers Substation is one of several solutions to address growing energy demand in the area. Ensuring that Fauquier County continues to receive safe and reliable electric service now, and in the future requires improvements across the system. No single improvement can meet these needs on its own but adding equipment to Bristers Substation is an important contribution.

Call us at 888-291-0190 or send an email to powerline@dominionenergy.com and ask to be added to our mailing distribution list.

This project is not expected to disrupt your electric service. If there are any planned temporary disruptions to your power supply, we will make every effort to notify you in advance of that work.

Timeline

Upcoming

Late 2026
File project with the State Corporation Commission (SCC)

2025

Winter/Spring 2025
Pre-construction activities
Summer 2025
Construction scheduled to begin

2024

Early 2024
Construction began inside existing Bristers Substation

2023

August 2023
Fauquier County Board of Supervisors approved the Special Exception for the Bristers/Anderson Branch Substation Expansion
Agenda

2022

Fall 2022
Project announcement

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