The Prince William Board of County Supervisors, on July 14, unanimously approved a resolution effectively eliminating the “blue” and “light blue” routes for Dominion Energy’s pending Nokesville to Bristow transmission line across county property.
According to the resolution, the board “does not support and does not intend to grant Dominion Energy access to County property or easements for proposed Routes 5 and 12 – the Blue and Light Blue lines for the Nokesville to Bristow 230 kilovolt Electric Transmission Line project.”
A Dominion Energy spokesperson confirmed, Wednesday, “the blue route has now been officially eliminated from consideration after the county declined to grant easements across county property.”
In a Tuesday night news release, Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy-R, whose district includes the property, praised the resolution but cautioned that the community’s work “is still far from finished.”
“This is a victory for the residents of Braemar, Victory Lakes, Saybrooke, and everyone who spoke up throughout this process,” Gordy said in the release. “Your letters, emails, testimony, and unwavering advocacy made a real difference. Together, we proved that when a community stands united, its voice can shape the outcome.”
From the dais, Tuesday, Gordy also stressed the importance of maintaining the Broad Run Linear Park’s tree preserve, where the now-eliminated routes would have run in six locations. Gordy said he is adamant about undergrounding the lines alongside Dominion.
According to Gordy, STACK Infrastructure has devoted space at its Bristow site for a switching station to bring the lines underground under the Broad Run tributary.
Chair Deshundra Jefferson mirrored Gordy’s stance, stressing the decision was “not political” and was not intended to favor one community over another. Moments before the unanimous vote, Occoquan Supervisor Kenny Boddye added that the board was keen on presenting a unified front on the issue.
The Richmond-based State Corporation Commission will make the final determination on the project, though Dominion has yet to make a formal submission pending additional community input.
Dominion Energy will hold a community meeting on the Nokesville to Bristow transmission line July 23 at Patriot High School at 5:30 p.m.
BRISTOW BEAT UPDATE: July 22, Mindy Diepenbrock, co-founder of the Save Braemar Coalition, which opposed the blue lines, told Bristow Beat that Braemar residents feel relieved, but the Coalition continues to support burying the transmission lines.
"We are relieved that the blue lines were not selected to come through Braemar because they were too close to homes and schools, and contributed to the industrial infrastructure that is clustering in the neighborhood," said Diepenbrock. "However, we are concerned about our neighbors in Nokesville and the impact this line on their properties. We continue to support the undergrounding along Route 28."
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