PUR-2025-00032

Case No. PUR-2025-00032 concerns Dominion Energy Virginia’s proposal for new and rebuilt 230 kV overhead transmission lines and substations in Culpeper County, the Town of Culpeper, Orange County, and Fauquier County, Virginia. The project aims to serve three new data center campuses, support area load growth, and comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. Key components include:

- Constructing approximately 5.2 miles of new double circuit 230 kV transmission lines (Mt. Pony–Potato Run Line #2437 and Mt. Pony–Oak Green Line #2438).
- Building a new 3.7-mile overhead 230 kV double circuit line (Tech Park Line #2439).
- Rebuilding and relocating the Oak Green and Remington 230 kV lines within existing or expanded rights-of-way.
- Building new substations at Mt. Pony, McDevitt, Chandler, and Palomino, with targeted completion by May 2028 contingent on permitting and property acquisition.

The commission has docketed the matter, directed public notice and opportunity for participation, and scheduled hearings for public and evidentiary testimony on October 14, 2025. The project prioritizes use of existing rights-of-way to minimize land use and environmental impacts, with detailed studies on wetlands, waterbodies, land cover, and potential effects on endangered species. The preferred routes maximize collocation with existing infrastructure and have support from local governments and landowners. The SCC is coordinating with environmental agencies for review, and the process includes opportunities for public comments, respondent participation, and discovery per commission rules 1, 2, 3.

Key events and scheduled submissions in the Culpeper Technology Zone 230 kV Loop and Lines #2 and #1065 Conversion Project (Case No. PUR-2025-00032) proceeding include:

- February 20, 2025: Dominion Energy Virginia filed an application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) for approval and certification of electric transmission facilities for the project 1.
- March 26, 2025: The SCC issued an order for notice and hearing, appointed a hearing examiner, and established requirements for electronic filing and service of documents 2, 2.
- May 5, 2025: Commission staff issued its first set of interrogatories and requests for production of documents to Dominion Energy Virginia 1.
- August 29, 2025 (scheduled): SCC staff must file their testimony and exhibits concerning the application, with summaries not to exceed one page, and serve them electronically to all parties 2.
- September 19, 2025 (scheduled): Dominion Energy must file any rebuttal testimony and exhibits it expects to offer, with summaries not to exceed one page, and serve them electronically to staff, respondents, and DEQ 2.

The proceeding includes requirements for public notice, opportunities for public comment and participation, electronic filing, and a schedule for discovery responses. The company requests a final SCC order by January 31, 2026, to meet its planned construction timeline 3, 3.

The docket identifies four future growth areas in Culpeper County as per the Culpeper County Comprehensive Plan adopted in March 2023. These areas are locations with existing infrastructure that are targeted to support and accommodate additional growth, particularly industrial development. Two specifically named areas are the Braggs Corner/Eastern Business Area and the South Culpeper Future Growth Areas, both bordering US 15/29. These areas already have existing industrial uses and are targeted for further industrial expansion 1, 1.

Key considerations related to these growth areas include:
- Prioritizing expansion within existing rights-of-way for utility infrastructure (especially electrical transmission lines) before considering new corridors, to limit the impact on rural and agricultural lands.
- Coordinating with utility providers, who are required to notify the county at least six months before filing with the State Corporation Commission for review and comment on new projects.
- Data center development is encouraged in industrial zones and within 0.5 miles of existing electric transmission lines or near similar facilities to minimize disruption. The plan discourages siting large developments in sensitive rural and agricultural areas to protect those land uses.
- The plan also emphasizes that large developments, including data centers, should not preempt other land use goals and should accommodate economic needs with minimal disruption to the surrounding areas 1, 1.

Additionally, the Culpeper Technology Zone, a newly established 950-acre campus, is specifically noted as a growth area intended to host data centers, public works entities, and STEM-supporting educational institutions. The technology zone is positioned to grow into a major employment and technology hub, consistent with the strategic vision for industrial and business development in the region 2.

The financial and timeline risks and concerns discussed in this docket include:

Timeline Risks and Concerns:
- The desired in-service date for the project is May 1, 2028, with construction planned to begin around October 15, 2026, and an estimated construction period of approximately 27 months. This schedule is contingent upon:
- Obtaining necessary permits and scheduled outages.
- Negotiating easements with property owners and purchasing land for substations without additional litigation.
- Avoiding unpredictable delays due to labor shortages or materials/supply issues.
- Adjustments may be required based on permitting delays or design modifications to comply with additional agency requirements identified during the permitting process.
- Regulatory changes affecting the Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB) and the potential up-listing of the Tricolored Bat (TCB) as endangered could necessitate compliance with new timing restrictions, potentially leading to a minimum six- to twelve-month delay in the project’s targeted in-service date 1, 1.

Financial Risks and Concerns:
- The total estimated conceptual cost of the project is approximately $253.7 million (in 2024 dollars), with $163.5 million allocated for transmission-related work and $90.1 million for substation-related work.
- Cost estimates may be affected if there are schedule delays, permitting challenges, or design modifications required by agencies during the permitting process 1, 2.

In summary, the primary risks revolve around regulatory changes, permitting and real estate negotiations, supply chain or labor disruptions, and environmental compliance, all of which could impact both timeline and financial projections.

The provided excerpts do not list specific stakeholders by name or detail which stakeholders are for or against the proposals in this docket. The excerpts mention stakeholder engagement, including:

- Engagement with public, elected officials, regulatory and planning groups, and land managing agencies by Dominion, including open houses and feedback to adjust routes 1.
- Coordination with agencies such as the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for environmental review and consultation 2, 1, 2, 2, 2.
- Opportunity for public comment and testimony at public hearings, allowing interested persons to participate as respondents or witnesses 2, 2.

However, there is no information in the excerpts about the positions (for or against) of these stakeholders or specific organizations or individuals who have taken a stance.