Valley Link push back

 

County Administrator Dr. Jeremy Raley shares updates

The March 24 Goochland countywide spring town hall, which was intended to share a wide range of information, began with discussion of the proposed  765 kv Valley Link electric transmission line https://vltransmission.com/joshua-falls-to-yeat/.

County Administrator Dr. Jeremy Raley reported that at least 360 people attended an information session at Central High School Educational and Cultural Center on March 23. He said that he and the board of supervisors have received many communications from citizens concerned about the impact of this project, whose route could cross parts of western Goochland, will have on their legacy landholdings, view shed, property values, and health, while providing no benefit to the county. Power transmitted on the proposed line is believed to be used for data centers in northern Virginia.

On April 7, the next time that the Goochland Board of Supervisors will meet to conduct county business, they will vote on a resolution in opposition to the Valley Link project. Raley said that the message sent by residents opposing Valley Link has been heard loud and clear by the supervisors. The resolution is being written and will be part of the board packet for the April 7 meeting, which will be available next week.

The informational meetings taking place in all counties along the proposed Valley Link route are part of a multi-month process that is just getting started. Raley said that it is vital for citizens to stay engaged by attending meetings and providing feedback to Valley Link via its website.

Raley said that if the county can find Valley Link maps showing all possible routes, they will be posted on the website https://www.goochlandva.us/

Goochland County intends to stay heavily engaged in the regional conversation about Valley Link to make sure that we have a seat at the table. Raley will meet with representatives from other counties in the path of the proposed route in the next few days to collaborate on opposition strategies.

Raley said that he expects that the county will receive a “heads up” about the final route because the of the positive relationship between Goochland and Dominion power. This will be shared with citizens as soon as it is revealed.

People who attended the March 23 meeting expressed frustration with the lack of maps that clearly illustrate several possible routes the transmission line could take. Some reported being told by one Valley Link representative that their land was nowhere near one route and by another that an alternate route was next door to her property.

One gentleman said that Valley Link classified his family property, a timber farm in active operation for 80 years, as unused and undeveloped. He said that his family chose to keep the land rural, but Valley Link would ruin it instead of using existing rights of way, going underground, or building modular power sources near where they are needed. “My children cannot move their land; Valley Link has choices.”

Others who attended the March 23 Valley Link meeting contended that it was hard to hear answers to their questions. Concerns were raised about possible interference with cell service, which is already somewhat spotty, caused by the powerlines. This could negatively interfere with 911 and other important calls. “That’s a big issue that impacts the county, not just people who live within 100 feet of the lines.”

It was unclear if the county, and regional partners in opposition to Valley Link, could take legal action to prevent its construction.

Ultimately, Valley Link will submit an application to the State Corporation Commission, which will make the final decision on where, or if, the line can be built.

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means that localities like Goochland have only those powers given to them by the General Assembly. Stay tuned.

A District 5 town hall will be held March 25 at 6 p.m. at St. Gertrude's Great Hall at Benedictine - 12829 River Road, Richmond, VA 23238.  The meeting will be livestreamed on the county website.