Should I be concerned about electric and magnetic fields?
Dominion Energy is sensitive to public concern about possible health effects from exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF). Dominion Energy includes data on the levels of both electric and magnetic fields produced by proposed facilities in all applications submitted with the State Corporation Commission (SCC). We continually monitor EMF research and speak to our customers and employees regularly to share the latest information available.
The Virginia SCC, which regulates the construction and operation of electric transmission lines of 138kV and above, considers EMF in every application. Hearing Examiner's remarks from recent proceedings are below.
- March 23, 2009 Beaumeade-NIVO (Case Number PUE-2008-00063) Report of Michael D. Thomas, Hearing Examiner, concludes that "… electric transmission line electromagnetic fields do not represent a human health hazard."
- May 4, 2010 Hayes-Yorktown (Case Number PUE-2009-00049) Report of Deborah V. Ellenberg, Chief Hearing Examiner, states, "I find that EMF has not been identified as a carcinogen for human beings despite extensive study over many years, and there is, therefore, no basis on which to prohibit the Company from authorizing appropriate uses of its right of way."
- August 23, 2011 Hollymead (Case Number PUE-2011-00015) Report of Michael D. Thomas, Hearing Examiner, states, "The proposed facilities do not represent a hazard to human health, which finding is consistent with the Virginia Department of Health's report entitled Monitoring of Ongoing Research on the Health Effects of High Voltage Transmission Lines (Final Report) dated October 31, 2000."
- May 1, 2015 Brambleton-Mosby (Case Number PUE-2014-00086) Report of Howard P. Anderson, Hearing Examiner, states, "Expert panels formed by national and international scientific agencies have evaluated the scientific research related to health and power-frequency EMF and provided conclusions that form the basis of guidance to governments and industries. It is the general scientific consensus of the health agencies reviewing this research that at levels associated with the operation of the proposed transmission line, or other common sources of EMF in the environment, the research does not support the conclusion that EMF causes any long-term, adverse health effects."
The Virginia Department of Health in its final report evaluating EMF research concluded:
"Based on the review and analysis of the exhaustive literature review and other research projects completed under the EMF-RAPID program, the Virginia Department of Health is of the opinion that there is no conclusive and convincing evidence that exposure to extremely low frequency EMF emanated from nearby high voltage transmission lines is causally associated with an increased incidence of cancer or other detrimental health effects in humans. Even if it is assumed that there is an increased risk of cancer as implied in some epidemiologic studies, the empirical relative risk appears to be fairly small in magnitude and the observed association appears to be tenuous. The studies published in the literature lack clear demonstration of a cause and effect relationship as well as a definitive dose-response gradient."
Additional information:
Are there exposure standards for 60 hertz EMF?
In the United States, there are no federal standards limiting occupational or residential exposure to 60 hertz EMF. At least six states have set standards for transmission line electric fields; two of these also have standards for magnetic fields (see table below). In most cases, the maximum fields permitted by each state are the maximum fields that existing lines produce at maximum load-carrying conditions. Some states further limit electric field strength at road crossings to ensure that electric current induced into large metal objects such as trucks and buses does not represent an electric shock hazard. Of these states, edge of right of way magnetic field standards range from 150-250 mG, see chart below (Source, page 46, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - Electrical and Magnetic Fields).
What are the alternatives for routing the lines and towers near the Brambleton Substation?
Because the existing right of way is adequate to construct the proposed project on the eastern half of the corridor (and the already-approved project on the western half of the corridor), no new right of way is necessary. Given the statutory preference to use existing rights of way to avoid additional costs and environmental impacts, the Company will proceed to optimize the use of the existing corridor as already built south of Loudoun Substation.
How will Dominion Energy address concerns related to lighting, noise and visual screening?
Substation Noise - Dominion Energy is investigating the installation of architectural panels along the western side of the substation parcel that will comply with federal security standards while providing visual and noise mitigation.
Vegetation Screening - Dominion Energy is considering several options such as planting additional landscaping along the western/Willowsford side of the substation parcel. Any additional planting will need to comply with all regulations for mature plant height in proximity to the NOVEC and Dominion Energy facilities.
Substation Lighting - The existing bright lights inside the station are temporary and will not need to be constantly on once the new perimeter fence is in place (fence construction begins mid-2015). Future security lighting will be programmed to turn on by our operators in the event light is needed.
Could we consider another location, such as the Goose Creek Substation for the future work planned at Brambleton Substation?
Dominion Energy is not able to use the Goose Creek Substation, or any other site, for the work that is planned at the Brambleton Substation for reasons related to two projects regulated by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).
(1) The Loudoun-Pleasant View Substation 500kV Rebuild Project has already been approved by the SCC and construction is underway. This project will require replacing the transmission line structures on the western half of the existing right of way.
(2) The GIS building (Gas Insulated Substation) at the Brambleton Substation will support the proposed Brambleton-Mosby 500kV Project. If approved by the SCC, the new transmission line would replace structures running approximately five miles on the eastern half of the existing corridor from Brambleton Substation to Dominion Energy’s Mosby Substation. It is not possible for us to install the GIS building in the Goose Creek Substation to support this project. The GIS installation allows Dominion Energy to install necessary equipment that supports the transmission network without expanding the footprint of the existing Brambleton Substation.
