To satisfy the energy needs of new data center customers, Dominion Energy is continuing the infrastructure development process of building major transmission lines, substations and power linkages. The second of these projects is a combination of two projects known as Twin Creeks to Apollo and Aspen to Golden — a multi-part project that will construct a series of transmission lines and substations. Five substations are currently planned, with two locations for where the group of substations could be placed. Transmission lines are slated to run along Route 7 with two primary route options.

Click on map to enlarge.

Virginia State Code mandates that Dominion Energy must provide service to new customers within their service area. We acknowledge that Dominion Energy has a variety of challenging constraints to provide power to areas in eastern Loudoun, and that this project is a component of collateral impacts caused by poor land use planning decisions that did not adequately account for utility corridors to accommodate growing community needs.

It is important to note that, depending on which substation grouping is chosen, many of the proposed substations along Goose Creek will likely require special exceptions as part of the land development process. There will be opportunities for the public to provide comments to Loudoun County staff, Planning Commissioners and Board of Supervisors on the site plans, including the location of substations.

As a state scenic river, Goose Creek supports vital wildlife habitat. Loudoun Wildlife does not support the construction of substations or transmission lines adjacent to, or within, floodplains and riparian areas. Negative impacts to our valuable natural assets such as Goose Creek and Broad Run should be avoided

Dominion Energy submitted their application to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) on March 7, 2024. On the eastern side, two route options were presented: one which follows the corridor along Loudoun County Parkway to reach the Golden substation, and one that cuts through mature forest to run partially adjacent to Broad Run. The first route would have fewer impacts to Broad Run’s floodplain, and the wildlife corridor surrounding it, by having fewer impacts to contiguous habitat and tree cover within, and adjacent to, Broad Run.

Broad Run and its associated riparian buffer provide valuable wildlife habitat. The impacts of tree clearing, potential for invasive species introduction, noise and other negative impacts of this proposed project are worrisome.

How to Get Involved:

• The SCC public hearing is September 5th, 2024 from 6:00-10:00pm at Belmont Ridge Middle School.
• Comments regarding the project can still be submitted via GeoVoice. Further information on the project, including Geovoice maps and the SCC project proposal can be found on the Dominion Energy Project page.

The post Dominion Energy Projects: Twin Creeks to Apollo and Aspen to Golden appeared first on Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.