[Archived] Dominion Virginia Power to Give Presentation on Proposed Transmission Line Project

Dominion Virginia Power has approached the City of Alexandria regarding Dominion’s proposal to construct a new 230-kilovolt underground transmission line between Alexandria and Arlington in the vicinity of Jefferson Davis Highway and Potomac Yard. The project would add and upgrade equipment at the existing switching station on E. Abingdon Drive in Alexandria, and connect it to the Glebe Substation on S. Glebe Road in Arlington. The project does not involve the nearby former NRG Potomac River Generating Station, which is permanently closed.

The City has asked Dominion to consider solutions that do not involve routes in Alexandria, or that use the Potomac River or other existing electrical infrastructure corridors. If it is necessary to use a new Alexandria alignment, the City has asked for a route with the least impact on the community.

In a letter on June 2, City Manager Rashad Young asked Dominion to prepare a needs assessment, an alternatives feasibility report (including an environmental analysis), a community outreach plan, and an overall work plan. Young also asked Dominion to use a civic engagement process modeled after the City’s What's Next, Alexandria principles.

Dominion replied with a letter on June 5, and indicated its intention for the project to be conducted transparently, with consistent and continual community engagement. Dominion’s intent is for stakeholders to have multiple opportunities to provide input into the process. Dominion representatives have accepted an invitation to present information about the project to Alexandria City Council at the regular meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at 7 p.m. Dominion is required to submit a detailed proposal to the State Corporation Commission, which it anticipates finalizing in the first quarter of 2015.

The letters are posted at alexandriava.gov/DVP230KV. As more information becomes available, it will also be posted at that location.