Fluvanna Supervisors Oppose Valley Link Transmission Line

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The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to oppose a proposed 115-mile high-voltage transmission line project called Valley Link, citing concerns over property values, environmental damage, and the long-term impact on the county's rural character. The 765-kilovolt line is designed to move large volumes of electricity across the region to meet growing demand, but county officials say the project could affect between 76 and 120 parcels in Fluvanna alone and have significant negative impacts.

Why it matters

The Valley Link project is part of a larger effort to strengthen the electric grid across the Mid-Atlantic, allowing power generated in the Ohio River Valley to be transmitted east to areas of high demand, including Northern Virginia. However, Fluvanna County officials argue the benefits do not outweigh the local costs, as the proposed line would require a 200-foot-wide cleared right-of-way and towers up to 160 feet tall, cutting through previously undisturbed areas and private property.

The details

The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on April 1 to oppose the Valley Link transmission line project, which would span approximately 115 miles from Campbell County to Culpeper County, passing through Fluvanna and eight other localities. Representatives from Dominion Energy described the project as a necessary response to unprecedented growth in electricity use, driven largely by data centers, population increases, and electrification trends. However, county officials said the project could affect between 76 and 120 parcels in Fluvanna alone, with potential impacts on property values ranging widely depending on proximity and land use. Supervisors also raised concerns about noise, visual impacts, and potential health effects.

• The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Wednesday, April 1 to oppose the proposed transmission line project.
• The State Corporation Commission will evaluate the proposal through a formal regulatory process expected to begin later this year, with a decision likely in 2027.
• If approved, the line could be operational by 2029.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The State Corporation Commission will evaluate the Valley Link proposal through a formal regulatory process expected to begin later this year, with a decision likely in 2027. If approved, the line could be operational by 2029. Several of the counties affected by the Valley Link plan intend to meet to coordinate their actions as the project moves through the planning process.