Poland Road

• Application
• DEQ Supplement
• Route Selection Report

The following are the key dates and developments related to the SCC review timeline – for a full listing of motions, rulings and other related documents, please refer to the SCC docket for this case.

• June 18, 2015, the SCC issued the Order for Notice and Hearing which includes the procedural schedule for the Poland Rd. 230kV Line Case.
• August 6, 2015, the Hearing Examiner issued a ruling that, among other things, suspended the previously issued procedural schedule and postponed the scheduled local public hearing dates of August 18 and 25. 
• September 21, 2015, the Hearing Examiner issued a ruling that reestablished the procedural schedule for this case and which routing alternatives to include in the proceedings.
• October 27, 2015, Local Public Hearing – 6pm @ Loudoun County Government Center, Leesburg
• October 29, 2015, Local Public Hearing – 6pm @ Freedom High School
• October 30, 2015, Notice of Participation due
• January 6, 2016, Public Comment period ends

March 21, 2016, the Hearing Examiner issued a Ruling consolidating the proceedings of the Yardley Ridge and Poland Rd transmission cases. The following is the current schedule for these cases:

• March 29, 2016 - Local Public Hearing – 6pm, Freedom High School Auditorium, 25450 Riding Center Drive, Chantilly
• April 1, 2016 - Notice of Participation due for interested parties impacted by County Alternatives 4 and 5
• April 1, 2016 - Company’s Supplemental Direct Testimony due
• April 22, 2016 - Respondent Testimony due
• May 6, 2016 - Public Comment Period Ends
• May 25, 2016 - Staff Testimony due
• June 15, 2016 - Company Rebuttal Testimony due (Part 1, Part 2)
• June 28, 2016 - Company Filed Stipulation and Recommendation regarding County Alternative 6
• June 29, 2016 - Public Evidentiary Hearing - 10 a.m., in the Commission's courtroom, Second Floor, Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
• July 28, 2016 - The Hearing Examiner issued his final report and recommendations (Part 1, Part 2)
• August 23, 2016 - SCC issues final ruling approving Amended Stipulated Route
• August 23, 2016 - SCC Commissioners issued their final ruling adopting the July 28 Hearing Examiner report and recommendations and approving Dominion Energy’s application for both the Poland Rd and Yardley Ridge electric transmission projects along the Stipulated Routes.

The need for the Poland Rd 230kV Transmission Line and Substation project is due to the increased energy demand from new economic development, particularly in the commercial/high tech sector. The anticipated electrical load increases from this new development will quickly outgrow the reliable infrastructure that is in place today. In order to meet our obligation to serve our customers, Dominion Energy plans to build new electric transmission infrastructure that will provide a new source of power in the heart of the growth area.  The immediate necessity of this project is from a “block load” addition -- in other words, a large amount of power demand that happens all at once -- to the electrical system in the Dulles area.

Providing a reliable stream of power to every corner of the County is not only required, it makes good business sense and is expected. We plan to invest resources in Loudoun to meet the needs of today and help the County maintain its competitive advantage well into the future.

Conservation measures, greater efficiency and demand-side management can reduce demand growth rates, but Dominion Energy does not expect these measures to be sufficient to eliminate the need altogether and is obligated to be prepared to satisfy the load requirements as they occur.

Routing a linear facility such as a transmission line involves balancing many considerations. Dominion Energy and its consulting partner, Burns and McDonnell, conduct a rigorous routing process and will establish several criteria to facilitate a comparison among potential routes if identified. The evaluation will include a quantitative analysis based on these routing criteria as well as other factors determined from site visits and discussions with property owners and other key stakeholders.

The company relies on input from the community to determine an appropriate solution that will meet the need, while reasonably minimizing impacts to the community being served.

Our routing study begins once we determine the best electrical solution for the project. In this case, we reviewed two other existing transmission corridors, one from the north near Evergreen Mills Road and one from the east near Route 28. In order to adhere to federal and company standards, coming from the west was the option that allowed us to meet the electrical need in the timeframe required, while minimizing downstream affects on other parts of the transmission system.

It is also important to understand that Dominion Energy, through a request from NOVEC, has another transmission project in the Dulles area near Evergreen Mills Road and Rt. 606.

Prior to building transmission lines requiring new right of way, Dominion Energy looks to purchase perpetual rights from the owners of properties along the approved route to construct, operate and maintain electric lines across private land. An easement is obtained by Dominion Energy from the property owner in the form of Dominion Energy’s standard right of way agreement and the document is recorded in the land records of the County or City where the property is located.

Due to the interconnected nature of the electric transmission grid, all NOVEC customers rely on Dominion Energy's transmission infrastructure to deliver reliable power.

When preparing the application to be filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), Dominion Energy typically considers many alternatives including underground. 

Overhead (OH) transmission lines have proven to be the best choice for providing safe, reliable and economical energy to our customers. Underground transmission lines are not as desirable from an operational point of view. The duration of outages for underground transmission lines is significantly greater compared to overhead lines due to the complexities of locating failures and facilitating repairs.  Additionally, labor and material costs for the installation of a 230 kV underground transmission line would be significantly more expensive than an overhead option.

Under recently enacted Virginia SB 645, localities can request the SCC to approve an agreement with the utility to have a new transmission line constructed underground when there is a feasible overhead alternative but must create special tax districts to impose and collect local tax revenue to cover the incremental costs of the underground construction.

In the end, the SCC will make the final decision as to what Dominion Energy is required to build.

Yes. The company, at its expense, will repair any private roads damaged by Dominion Energy or its contractors during construction of the line or during future maintenance. In addition, we will reimburse property owners for crop damage and repair or replace fences or gates if they are damaged.

As part of the SCC application, Dominion Energy will complete an evaluation of potential environmental, cultural, and historical impacts of the Poland Rd 230kV Transmission Line and Substation Project. Dominion Energy works with many local and state agencies to complete these evaluations and mitigate any impacts. The company also submits annual Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) Control Specifications and an anticipated list of transmission line projects for the construction and maintenance of transmission lines to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for review and approval. This project will be included in the annual submittal for approval prior to construction. Our contractors receive copies of the E&S specifications and any additional permit conditions prior to construction and are directed to meet all requirements. The right of way will be rehabilitated when construction is complete.

Read our Corporate Environment Policy and associated reports.

Property owners will be notified before construction clearing begins.

Prior to building a new power line, the right of way must be cleared to allow construction activities and eventual transmission line operation that is safe and reliable. Existing low-growing vegetation may be left in place if it does not interfere with construction activities. Additionally, trees located outside of the right of way which are tall enough to potentially impact the transmission line may also be removed. These trees are commonly referred as danger trees; view a diagram of typical danger tree clearances.

Trees are cut to be no more than 3 inches above ground level. In the right of way, debris that is adjacent to homes will be disposed of by chipping or removal. In other more rural areas, debris may be mulched or chipped as practicable. Clearing will be accomplished by hand in wetland areas and within 100 feet of streams. Care will be taken not to leave debris in streams or wetland areas. Matting will be used for heavy equipment in these areas. Erosion control devices will be used on an ongoing basis during all clearing activities.