Dominion Energy Eyes 115-Mile Virginia Power Line for Data Centers, Threatening Rural Land
Updated
Updated · NOTUS · Aug 21
Dominion Energy Eyes 115-Mile Virginia Power Line for Data Centers, Threatening Rural Land
3 articles · Updated · NOTUS · Aug 21
Summary
Dominion Energy and partners plan a 115-mile Valley Link transmission line that could cut through Seven Islands in Fluvanna County, using eminent domain to carry power to Northern Virginia data centers roughly 100 miles away.
The line is part of a much larger buildout driven by AI-related demand: Virginia utilities have requests for about 95 gigawatts of new data-center power, versus current peak demand near 25 gigawatts.
Cumberland County also faces a proposed gas plant for the same load growth, with 300-foot smokestacks and average water intake of 800,000 gallons a day, even though the county has no active or planned data centers.
Environmental groups say meeting that demand could require 20 to 30 new high-voltage lines across Virginia over 15 years, while a solar-only alternative could consume as much as 5 million acres.
The route proposal is due to the state this fall, with a ruling expected about a year later, as bipartisan local opposition pushes for a Virginia moratorium on new data centers.