The Derecho Blog: The more things change, the more Dominion stays the same

As I was digging through some old notes and links I happened upon a post from about ten years ago written by Citizen Tom regarding the proposed PWC portion of the Meadow Brook to Loudoun 500kv transmission line, a proposal that ultimately failed due to the resident opposition.

The commentary of the author strike some very familiar notes:

“Year after year Dominion ranks amongst the state’s top political donors.”
“At the SCC hearings at Marstellar yesterday, our fellow citizens did come out in force to take their turn at the podium with paid political lobbyists and the politicians who represent us.”
“Virtually none of the people he has talked to believes Dominion’s assertions that the power-line is necessary or desirable. Instead, they are worried that the power-line will be an eyesore and depress the value of their homes.”
“Many were furious with Dominion. One person referred to Dominion’s threat of rolling blackouts as a scare tactic and bullying. Another said Dominion is an interstate conglomerate that is stepping on people.”

But the truly killer quote was “(Sharon) Pandak recommended that the SCC disapprove Dominion’s proposal for two reasons: Dominion has not demonstrated the need, and the power-line (as proposed) would hurt the people of this area.”  If that sounds familiar, it should as it is the basis for the current proceedings before the SCC for a similar line in roughly the same location.

Similarly, Del. Marshall and the Brentsville Supervisor (Wally Covington at the time) played roles similar to the ones played by Del. Marshall and the current Brentsville Supervisor Jeanine Lawson are playing today.  Del. Marshall leading the fight, marshalling public opposition and Wally asserting that Dominion had not shown that the power carried by this new power-line would be needed and used in Northern Virginia as Dominion had offered its conclusions but withheld its plans and data as proprietary. No one had independently verified Dominions conclusions about whether the power is needed or where it will be used.

History truly is cyclical and Dominion appears on the path to repeat its past mistakes.