The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is responsible for verifying the need, route and environmental impact of transmission lines in Virginia. Dominion Energy submitted its application regarding this project on February 29, 2016. On December 21, 2017, the Virginia State Corporation Commission issued its Final Order approving the project. The Commission found, among other things, that there is a need for the project and the rebuild will replace the transmission line currently partially attached to the Norris Bridge with an underground transmission line. 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-2016-00021). 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

• Application Documents Volume 1
• Application Documents Volume 2

Supplemental Filing

In accordance with the Hearing Examiner’s July 22 and August 3, 2016 rulings, Dominion Energy filed with the State Corporation Commission supplemental testimony and analysis regarding two additional rebuild configurations raised by case participant William Barnhardt. These two options are currently under consideration for approval in the case, in addition to the Company’s proposal and two alternatives included in its initial application filing.

• Supplemental Filing Volume 1
• Supplemental Filing Volume 2 Part 1
• Supplemental Filing Volume 2 Part 2

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.

Key Dates

• December 21, 2017 - The Virginia State Corporation Commission issued its Final Order approving the project
• September 18, 2017 - Company response to Hearing Examiner’s report and recommendations
• August 21, 2017 - Hearing Examiner issues report and recommendations (Part 1, Part 2)
• April 18, 2017 - Public Evidentiary Hearing (formerly March 15) - 10 a.m., in the Commission's second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
• April 18, 2017 - Public Comment Period Ends
• March 15, 2017 - Public Hearing, 10am, Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
• March 2, 2017 - Company Rebuttal Testimony due
• February 7, 2017 - Staff Testimony due
• January 30, 2017 - Respondent Testimony due
• December 12, 2016 - Hearing Examiner rules to revise procedural schedule
• October 31, 2016 - Company submitted supplemental testimony on its review of the two additional construction options per the July 22nd order.
• September 20, 2016 - Public Hearing, 10 a.m., Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
• August 3, 2016 - Hearing Examiner rules to revise procedural schedule
• July 22, 2016 - Hearing Examiner rules for further analysis to be conducted on two additional construction options
• July 6, 2016 - Local Public Hearing, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Lancaster Middle School, 191 School Street, Kilmarnock, Virginia 22482
• June 7, 2016 - Notice of Participation due
• March 18, 2016 - The SCC has issued an Order for Notice and Public Hearing which sets the procedural schedule for this case

SCC Approved Routes

• Detailed Route Map: Underground Route (as of Feb. 29, 2016) - The underwater route approved shall use high-pressure, fluid-filled ("HPFF") cables installed below the riverbed by a horizontal directional drill ("HDD") construction method.

Routes previously under SCC consideration

• Route overview map (as of Oct. 31, 2016)
• Detailed Route Map: Underground Route (as of Feb. 29, 2016)
• Detailed Route Map: Barnhardt Option 1 alternative Route (as of Oct. 31, 2016)
• Detailed Route Map: Barnhardt Option 2 alternative Route (as of Oct. 31, 2016)

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) regulates the construction and operation of electric transmission lines of 138kV and above. This project involves a transmission line at the 115kV level. The SCC ruled on December 11, 2015 that they are requiring Dominion Energy to submit an application for Commission review as this project has been deemed to be outside the ordinary extension or improvement in the usually course of doing business provision of the Virginia Code. The full docket related to this ruling can be found on the SCC’s website by searching for case number: PUE-2015-00109.

Dominion Energy plans to proceed with this important rebuild project safely and in accordance with all requirements, as it does for each of its projects.

Other Permitting Requirements

In April 2015, Dominion Energy applied for a permit from the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC), which regulates encroachment on Virginia’s bottomlands. The Company also filed a Joint Permit application with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The joint application through the ACOE facilitates and coordinates review from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coast Guard, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.

As of August 20, 2015, we received permitting review and approval through the VMRC and Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild the existing line as an above-ground facility.

• Joint Permit Application
• VMRC presentation, July 28, 2015

Recent Communications

• Postcard inviting the community to the Rappahannock Transition Station Construction Informational Meeting (Aug. 10, 2018)
• Postcard inviting the community to the Greys Point Transition Station Construction Informational Meeting (July 19, 2018)

Previous Communications

• Letter inviting the community to the February 17, 2016 Informational Open House (February 4, 2016)
• Letter inviting the community to the February 11, 2016 Informational Open House (January 26, 2016)
• Property Owner Notification Map (January 26, 2016)
• SCC Directs Dominion Energy Virginia to Seek Commission Approval Before Building Transmission Line Across Rappahannock River, SCC Press Release (December 11, 2015)
• Judge Denies Motion To Stall Power Towers, NPR (October 15, 2015)
• Letter to the Editor: Many signed off on bridge plan, Richmond Times-Dispatch (September 23, 2015)
• Community Information Packet: Community letter | Project Fact Sheet | Project Q&As (September 16, 2015)
• Northern Neck Electric Cooperative letter supporting an overhead rebuild project (August 25, 2015)
• Norris Bridge Community Meeting at Tides Inn (August 25, 2015)
• Letter to Chairman Bellows, Lancaster County (August 21, 2015)
• Middlesex and Lancaster Co. Board of Supervisors presentation, May 2015
• Public Announcement: Announcement letter | Announcement Fact Sheet | Property Owner Notification Map (April 16, 2015)

To do nothing puts residents, businesses and local government at risk of unreliable service. The existing transmission line is a primary source of electric power to approximately 19,000 customers and the Northern Neck area, meaning any failure on the existing river crossing facilities and its only contingency would result in a loss of electric service to that area.

Due to the interconnected nature of the electric transmission grid, all Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) customers rely on Dominion Energy's transmission infrastructure to deliver reliable power.

Dominion Energy's electric transmission lines feed power to Dominion Energy and NNEC distribution lines, both of which serve the Northern Neck. The transmission line for this project ultimately serves approximately 13,200 Dominion Energy and 5,800 NNEC customers.

Yes. The SCC ruled on December 11, 2015 that they are requiring Dominion Energy to submit an application for Commission review as this project has been deemed be outside the ordinary extension or improvement in the usually course of doing business provision of the Virginia Code. The full docket related to this ruling can be found on the SCC’s website by searching for case number: PUE-2015-00109.

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.

Our application before the SCC will include a routing study that reviews the environmental impacts, among others, of the project.

As part of the Virginia Marine and Corps permitting process, Dominion Energy completed an evaluation of potential environmental, cultural, and historical impacts of this 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. Our contractors receive copies of the E&S specifications and any additional permit conditions prior to construction and are directed to meet all requirements.

For additional information on our commitment to responsible stewardship of natural resources, environmental management and performance, view our Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Report. We also invite you to read our Corporate Environmental Policy.