RICHMOND — The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved a request from Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) to underground a 1.8-mile portion of a 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Loudoun County. The pilot project is one of four permitted by state law that specifically identifies as a qualifying project the previously approved 12-mile route between the existing Pleasant View substation and the proposed Hamilton substation near Purcellville.

On February 18, 2008, the SCC found that the construction of the new transmission line was necessary for DVP to maintain long-term reliability on its system and to serve the rapidly growing demand for electricity in western Loudoun County. During the 2008 session, the General Assembly passed emergency legislation (HB 1319) that establishes a pilot program for placing new transmission lines of 230-kV or less underground, in whole or in part.

In its order approving DVP’s request, the SCC said, "Given the plain language of the Act, the law governing this case bars this Commission from developing any evidentiary record upon which this Commission could base a decision to locate the underground route anywhere other than where (1) permitted by HB 1319, and (2) proposed by the company in a request pursuant thereto. The 30-day period in which the law requires this Commission to act on Virginia Power's request further serves to proscribe any action by this Commission other than to approve or to disapprove the request, as filed."

Dominion Virginia Power filed the request on April 21. On April 29, the SCC received a motion to intervene from several property owners at or near the company’s requested location for making the transition from overhead to underground facilities.

The Commission noted that, "This order … is without prejudice in that it permits, but does not obligate, the company to construct the underground portion of this line as set forth in its request. That is, Virginia Power is free to file a subsequent request, if it chooses, again under HB 1319, changing its intended route for the underground portion of the line; and if such request complies with HB 1319, we must approve it within 30 days."

The line is expected to be constructed and in service by January 1, 2011.

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Case Number PUE-2008-00027