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Yadkin-Fentress
Overview
At Dominion Energy, we are dedicated to maintaining reliable and secure electric service in the communities we serve. The Yadkin-Fentress 500 kilovolt (kV) Electric Transmission Line Project rebuilds approximately 13.5 miles of existing 500 kV transmission line that runs from the Yadkin Substation on Yadkin Road to the Fentress Substation on Meredith Drive and Fentress Loop in Chesapeake, Virginia.
This project is needed to replace aging equipment and to add additional infrastructure to deliver the renewable energy generated by the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project. This transmission line was built on lattice structures. We are wrecking the existing, aging 500 kV line and building two 500 kV transmission lines on separate monopole structures. The approach is to maximize the use of the existing transmission corridor by changing the current lattice-type structure so two independent transmission lines can be built without requiring new or expanded right of way.
We hosted a community meeting in April 2024 to share more information about this project and for you to speak with project team members. On June 13, 2024, Dominion Energy filed its application with the SCC. In February 2025, we held two community meetings to prepare for pending construction. On February 28, 2025, the SCC issued its Final Order approving the project. You can learn more by clicking the blue Legal button at the top of this page.
A construction schedule is below. More details will be provided as activities progress.
- Use the address search to see structure locations in your area.
- View details about individual structures by clicking on structure location marker.
- View simulations of existing and proposed structures.
Benefits
- Maintains current right of way
- 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
- Replaces aging infrastructure
- Strengthens area reliability
- Strengthens operational flexibility
Documents
- Phase 1 Helicopter Postcard May 2025
- Construction Begins Postcard March 2025
- Preconstruction Community Meetings – February 2025
- Crews in Your Area – January 2024
- Project Information and Survey Card – February 2024
- Community Meeting: Save The Date - March 2024
- Reminder: Community Meeting and Structure Comparison Tool – March 2024
- UPDATED 12/29/24: Yadkin to Fentress Photo Simulations
- Project Maps between Yadkin Substation and Unicorn Trail
- Project Maps between Unicorn Trail and Fentress Substation
- Typical Proposed Structures
- Fact Sheet
Construction Schedule
(Schedule is subject to change pending final approvals, permits, weather, and progress. Upon completion, we will restore the right of way.)Phase 1: Yadkin Substation – Weiss Lane
March 2025: Construction begins
July 2025: Finish rebuilding Line 588
September 2025: Finish building Line 5005
Phase 2: Appaloosa Trail – Holmes Trail
April 2025: Construction begins
March 2026: Finish rebuilding Line 588
and finish building Line 5005
Phase 3: Holmes Trail – Fentress Substation
May 2025: Construction begins
June 2026: Finish rebuilding Line 588
December 2026: Finish building Line 5005
Yadkin-Fentress Construction Phases Map
FAQs
The structures along the 14-mile-long corridor from Yadkin Substation to Fentress Substation have been in service for more than five decades. In order to continue to provide reliable electric service, this project will rebuild the existing line and build two new 500 kilovolt (kV) lines. The aging transmission structures, which consist of weathering steel lattice, will be replaced by monopole structures. This project will also add additional transmission infrastructure necessary to deliver the renewable energy generated by the Coastal Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.
Changing the current lattice-type structures to taller monopoles will allow two independent transmission lines to be built without requiring new or expanded right of way. To maintain safety and operational clearances, the proposed monopole structure will increase in height by an average of 65 feet. This height increase also allows us to place the new structures in the same or similar locations as the old structures.
A clear right of way is a safe right of way. To reliably transmit electric power, Dominion Energy acquires permanent easement rights that allow us to use a property owner’s land to construct, operate, and maintain electric power facilities. We require the entire width of the right of way to be clear of structures and certain types of vegetation (including all trees). Although some activities are permitted in rights of way, physical structures like sheds, decks, playground equipment, and swimming pools, are not.
Although we routinely patrol our rights of way, projects like this one provide another opportunity for us to ensure easements are complying. If your structure is unauthorized and located in the right of way, we will require it to be relocated or removed. We are proactively connecting with individual property owners a year prior to our necessary construction activities to ensure you have ample time to respond to the encroachment violation.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) is the regulatory body with jurisdiction over transmission lines at or above 138 kilovolts (kV). Since this project is proposing to rebuild a 500 kV transmission line, it meets the criteria to be reviewed by the SCC. Dominion Energy intends to file an application in summer 2024. Although the SCC is the primary agency reviewing and ultimately approving the project, there may be additional permits needed from local, state, and federal agencies.
We want to hear your feedback. The purpose of our public engagement is to share, listen, and learn from our community members. The SCC also considers public input in its review process. Before we file an application with the SCC in summer 2024, we will continue public engagement to ensure all interested community members are aware of the project and have an opportunity to share feedback with our team. We hope to see you at our public meetings so we can hear what matters most to you.
Interested community members are welcome to request a separate meeting with our team. Whether you have a scheduling conflict during the community meeting dates, would like to discuss your property specifically, or would like to continue a discussion with our team following a community meeting, we are available for additional meetings by request. There are multiple ways to share your feedback with our team:
- Contact us by email at powerline@dominionenergy.com or by phone at 888-291-0190.
- Attend our public meeting on April 9, 2024 at The Chesapeake Convention Center from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Invite us to your community or property for a small group meeting.
Legal
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has regulatory authority over all energy providers in Virginia. Among other responsibilities, the SCC validates the need for a proposed line and approves the route and structures. In reviewing a proposed project, the SCC must consider whether potential impacts on scenic assets, historic districts and the environment have been reasonably minimized.
On 6/13/24, Dominion Energy filed its application with the SCC. The SCC issued its Final Order approving the project on 2/28/25. Documents related to the case are available to the public on the SCC Docket of the SCC website or search by Case No. PUR-2024-00105 in the " Search Cases " section. In addition, interested parties may visit the SCC Case Comments Page where individual mailboxes are available for each case accepting public comments. Please note, the mailbox may not be available until a scheduling order is issued, typically several weeks after an application is filed.
To learn more about this process, view our SCC process map.
SCC Timeline
(updated 3/3/2025)
- August 14, 2024 – Landowners Notice, Publish Notice, and Government Officials Notice
- August 30, 2024 – Proof of Notice & Service & Certificate of Mailing to Landowners
- September 13, 2024 – Notice of participation deadline
- October 4, 2024 – Respondent testimony due
- November 15, 2024 – Public witness sign-up and deadline for interested person(s) to file comments on application
- November 15, 2024, Telephonic - Public Witness Hearing
- January 6, 2025 - Staff testimony due
- January 13, 2025 - Company rebuttal testimony due
- January 22, 2025@ 10:00 a.m. In-Person - Evidentiary hearing
- February 28, 2025 - The SCC issued a final order, approving the project.
Winter 2026
Construction complete, restoration begins
2025
March 2025
Construction begins
February 28, 2025
SCC Final Order issued
February 11 & 12, 2025
Community Meetings
2024
Summer 2024
File application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
April 9
Community meeting(s)
January
Project Announcement
Meetings
We invite you to learn more about the Yadkin-Fentress 500 kV Electric Transmission Project at our Preconstruction Community Meetings. We will host a virtual meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, and an in-person meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. These meetings will give you the opportunity to speak with project team members and ask them detailed questions about what to expect during construction.
February 12, 2025
5 p.m.–7 p.m.In-person Meeting
Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23330
No formal presentation; stop by anytime during the meeting.
Project Maps between Yadkin Substation and Unicorn Trail
Project Maps between Unicorn Trail and Fentress Substation
February 11, 2025
6 p.m.Virtual Meeting
(Presentation followed by Q&A)
Open Transcript
Meeting Presentation - Slides
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23330
Construction-Related Impacts
Traffic
There may be some traffic delays.
Construction Times
Most work will be completed during daylight hours, up to seven days a week.
Noise
Noise levels may be high at times; permits are in place.
Neighborhood
Access to surrounding neighborhoods will not be impacted.
Service Interruption
Your electric service is not expected to be impacted by this project.
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