Coalition to Protect Prince William County
PO Box 382
Haymarket, VA 20168
www.protectpwc.org
PRESS RELEASE
For more Information contact:
Elena Schlossberg
Executive Director, Coalition to Protect Prince William County
admin@protectpwc.org
COALITION URGES RESIDENTS ON ALL ROUTES: SHOW UP, SPEAK UP ON JULY 15th
Executive director says, “The Coalition is growing and unanimous – I-66 and buried is the only way forward.”
Haymarket, Virginia (July 13, 2015) – The Coalition to Protect Prince William County welcomes supporters from along the Railroad, Carver Road, and Madison routes to the fight against Dominion Virginia Power’s high-voltage transmission lines through western Prince William County. Coalition executive director Elena Schlossberg observed, “Every route Dominion puts in play increases the size and strength of our coalition of communities. Neighbors across the Rural Crescent, Haymarket, Gainesville, Brentsville, Buckland, and beyond have all been fighting Dominion’s intrusion. None of us fight alone.”
Schlossberg urged residents along all routes to “Show up and speak up,” at Dominion’s open house from 5-8PM, July 15, at Battlefield High School. Schlossberg noted, “Dominion has been busy, doubling the original number of routes at risk – and nearly twice the number of residents. Our united voices will ring all the louder with Somerset Crossing, Greenhill Crossing, Hopewell’s Landing, and numerous other neighborhoods aligning their efforts with ours. Many leaders in these communities have been fighting Dominion for over a year. Our commitment remains firm – we are one Coalition, and one community – not on my property, not on my neighbor’s property.”
Schlossberg reminded residents on routes “removed” from consideration, “No one on the New Road, Northern, and Western routes should celebrate or relax. Dominion can change route preferences or alignment at any time, as our friends along the Haymarket Projects’ Railroad route learned. Plus, as Dominion has said repeatedly, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), requires an exhaustive routing study of all electrically viable solutions and route alignments. Any of these routes can be considered – or the SCC can develop its own alternative – and ultimately, the SCC makes the final determination. So even after Dominion submits its application, nothing is final until the SCC Commissioners decide. Our neighbors in Fauquier County near the Option A 2/3 portion of the Warrenton-Wheeler Project learned this the hard way, as that option was put into consideration by the SCC even after Dominion had recommended it be dropped.”
“To our elected leaders,” Schlossberg continued, “and in particular those on the county Board of Supervisors and in the Virginia General Assembly – your support is critical as we fight for I-66 and buried. Your personal influence and the power of your offices remain important tools for demonstrating to Dominion and the SCC you will defend our homes, businesses, cultural assets, and historical sites. The county must make it clear to Dominion and the SCC that our Comprehensive Plan and other documents dictate specifically where high-voltage transmission lines should go – and where they should not. We must also make the necessary changes to our zoning and development policies to reduce residents’ vulnerability in future battles just like today’s. Forward-thinking isn’t enough – our leaders must be forward-acting.”
Schlossberg concluded “Once again – show up and speak up! Wednesday July 15 is your next chance to let Dominion know that I-66 and buried is the only option.”
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