Within the past year, Louisa County has experienced a great amount of industrialization, with three new data centers being built and now the proposal of Valley Link. The Louisa County Board of Supervisors is actively in the process of evaluating whether the lines should be allowed to cross through Louisa County.
Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, and Transource Energy have proposed a project that will stretch massive power lines across the state of Virginia, beginning in Joshua Falls, running through the middle of Louisa County, and ending in Campbell County.
According to ABC 8 News, “The extra-high-voltage project is in response to Virginia’s increasing power demand, which is expected to double in the next 20 years.”
Though these lines will be slicing through Louisa County, locals are under the impression that the lines will be providing them better and faster power.
“The project represents about 115 miles of a new 765kV line to cross several counties, even though it will not be providing power to those in Louisa County,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Duane Adams said.
Many of those around the county will be impacted by these Valley Link. Residents of the county can be receiving letters stating their land may be impacted by this project.
According to Tammy Purcell’s Engage Louisa website, “The letter provides links to the project’s website, which includes a map of potential routes. The letter also provides a list of upcoming open houses and virtual meetings where residents can learn more about the project and provide feedback.”
Meetings and open houses have and are continuing to be held throughout these past two months. On Feb. 17, there was a presentation at the Board of Supervisors meeting discussing the Valley Link route. Then, on Mar. 12, an open house will be held for the community to share their input and gain new information about the Valley Link project.
According to The Central Virginian, “There will be two virtual open houses, one on Thursday, Mar. 5 and another on Monday, Mar. 16, both from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. There will be an in-person open house at the Betty Queen Center on Thursday, Mar. 12 from 5:30 – 7:30.”
