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Carson – Midlothian – North Anna
Carson – Midlothian & North Anna – Midlothian 500 kV Electric Transmission Rebuild Projects
Project Details
This proposed project will rebuild the existing 500 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission lines in the same right of way corridor between our Carson, Midlothian, and North Anna substations. These lines are approaching the end of their service lives and must be rebuilt to accommodate increased generation supply and customer needs.
It is planned to keep the current 500 kV lines in service during construction. To achieve this Dominion Energy proposes to partially rebuild the existing 230 kV line between Midlothian Substation and Oilville at Broad Street. For this section of the project, the 500 kV and 230 kV lines will share the same structures. This plan also optimizes the right of way corridor for future development.
Trees and vegetation must be cleared from the existing easement along the entire corridor because the existing 500 kV lines will be in service during construction. Because some locations within the existing corridor are uncleared, trees, vegetation, and unapproved encroachments must be fully removed.
Documents
Benefits
- Maintains current right of way
- Complies with mandatory standards to ensure safety, reliability and to meet future needs
- Minimizes impact to the community and environmens
- Replaces aging infrastructure
- Strengthens area reliability
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.
• Our SCC application review process
Once this project is submitted to the SCC, we will post our application and provide a link to the SCC’s case docket where you will find documents related to the case, as well as information on how to submit comments.
• Our SCC application review process
Once this project is submitted to the SCC, we will post our application and provide a link to the SCC’s case docket where you will find documents related to the case, as well as information on how to submit comments.
Timeline
2026
January 2026
Surveys of the existing right of way corridor
March 2026
Project announcement
May 2026
Public Meetings Round #1
June/July 2026
Public Meetings Round #2
August 2026
File application with the SCC
Winter 2026-2027
Right of way clearing of trees, vegetation, and encroachments begins (pending permits)
Danger tree removal begins (outside of right of way)
2027
April 2027
Requested CPCN date
Summer 2027-Early 2028
Carson – Midlothian construction
2028
Summer 2028-Early 2030
Summer 2028 – early 2030: North Anna – Midlothian construction
FAQs
These 500 kV lines are part of a critical artery of high voltage transmission lines through central Virginia, connecting with North Anna Nuclear Power Station, a vital baseload generator for customer power needs. To keep North Anna generating uninterrupted during transmission line construction, the existing lines can stay in service while the new lines are built beside them in the current right of way. This means North Anna can continue delivering power through these transmission lines to customers, while crews safely build the new lines.
To maintain system reliability and successfully integrate new electric generation, these projects propose to rebuild the existing lines between Carson and Midlothian substations as well as Midlothian and North Anna substations. These lines were originally built between 1979 and 1981 and are approaching the end of their service lives. Customer power needs continue to increase in Virginia, and increased generation supply to meet those needs is planned. These lines must be rebuilt according to today’s safety and reliability standards.
Because the project proposes to use the existing right of way, commonly 235 feet wide, there is a section of this corridor where the 500 kV line has an existing 230 kV line on the side of the right of way where the new poles need to go. Between Midlothian Substation and Oilville at Broad Street, the existing 230 kV line is in the way of the planned rebuilt 500 kV position. To ensure they both fit in the existing right of way on that side of the easement, both the 500 kV and the 230 kV lines will share the same monopole structure. The 500 kV lines and arms will face into the right of way, and the 230 kV lines and arms will face the outside edge of the right of way.
Pending engineering design and right of way optimization evaluation in spring 2026, it is possible Dominion Energy may propose rebuilding the rest of the structures from Oilville to North Anna as double-circuit monopoles, as well.
Pending engineering design and right of way optimization evaluation in spring 2026, it is possible Dominion Energy may propose rebuilding the rest of the structures from Oilville to North Anna as double-circuit monopoles, as well.
The existing easement is commonly at least 235 feet wide between North Anna, Midlothian, and Carson substations. However, forestry maintenance to date has focused on the existing 500 kV lines to keep them clear and safe of hazards, according to regulatory requirements. Because this project will need to optimize the full, existing right of way for transmission infrastructure, all trees and vegetation must be cleared to comply with safety regulations.
Existing right of way corridors are surveyed to gather updated field conditions where critical infrastructure operates.
You may notice surveyors in the right of way on foot or in light duty vehicles. Existing access routes will be used, which may be on or near your property. Surveyors will leave yard stakes or small flags in the right of way. Please do not remove these important markers.
Dominion Energy drones will be used to survey from above. An FAA-licensed drone pilot will operate them from the ground and will always maintain sight of the aircraft.
The existing right of way width varies along the route but is typically at least 235 feet in most areas. At its widest point near Carson Substation, the right of way is 450 feet wide. Many portions of the existing right of way are unmaintained (i.e. forested).
Please contact your Right of Way Representative for assistance. See the Rights of Way Use & Safety page for the latest regional contact maps.
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