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The amount of load growth requires a new 230kV double circuit transmission line using existing transportation corridors where possible and requiring new right of way. The new line will extend to a new substation west of the Haymarket town limits.
The new substation, to be built on a shared commercial property, will accommodate future area growth. The combined efforts will provide Dominion Energy and eventually NOVEC, additional capacity to support continued economic development and improved reliability for the area.
Outreach has included letters to neighboring property owners, email updates, local newspaper ads and public meetings.
We strive to minimize the impacts of our new projects that require new right of way while being sensitive to the permanent change to the community we have an obligation to serve.
In order to keep our neighbors informed about the construction process for this project, an interactive web portal is now accessible.
Dominion Energy considers a number of factors when studying options for routing new electric transmission lines. We evaluate a route’s constructability and operability while carefully weighing potential impacts on property owners, historic assets and the environment, to name a few. It is important that we study and present various alternatives in order to have a complete application for the SCC to consider, which must include a proposed route, as well as constructible alternative(s).
Ultimately, the SCC will make the final determination of the route location that reasonably minimizes impacts.
On December 6, 2017, the Virginia State Corporation Commission remanded the case back to the Hearing Examiner to receive additional evidence and legal analysis on 1) the need for the transmission line; and 2) any additional route variations to the routes proposed in the record. This in effect paused the June 23, 2017, Final Order and earlier Interim Order, which approved Dominion Energy’s application, while these additional proceedings took place.
On June 12, 2018, the SCC issued its order reaffirming the need for the Haymarket transmission line. And on July 26, 2018, the SCC issued its final order approving the project along the I-66 Hybrid Route, including it in the underground transmission pilot program.
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is responsible for verifying the need of a project and determining the route the project will follow.
Dominion Energy submitted its application regarding the Haymarket Project on November 6, 2015. Documents related to the case are made available to the public on the SCC Docket Search section of the SCC web site, in the "Search Cases" section (enter case number PUE-2015-00107). In addition, interested parties may also comment directly to the SCC by sending an email to sccinfo@scc.virginia.gov.
To learn more about this process, view our SCC process map.
Application Documents
Procedural Schedule
The following are the key dates and developments related to the SCC review timeline - for the most up-to-date and full listing of motions, rulings and other related documents, please refer to the SCC docket for this case.
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, Natural Resource Group (NRG), 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.
As part of the SCC application, Dominion Energy will complete an evaluation of potential environmental, cultural, and historical impacts of the Haymarket 230kV 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. For program year 2015, 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.
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