By Rose Murphy
August 4, 2017
The battle to keep Dominion Energy from running 110-foot-tall power lines through the Carver Road area populated mainly by descendants of freed slaves continued July 18 when residents held a press conference at McCoart Government Center to ask Prince William County’s support.
“We want the county to stand up for us. We’re being bullied. Other communities also will be affected,” contented Joyce Hudson of the Alliance to Save Carver Road. She added trees will be taken down on her property and a tower erected.
She said many residents are elderly, had no representation for their views and did not know the powerlines were intended for their neighborhood.
Dominion plans indicate the powerlines would carry 230,000 volts to serve VAData, a subsidiary of Amazon.com.
In June, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) said the power company could seize the land it needs through eminent domain. On July 14, the SCC announced it will reconsider plans for the route after appeals from two resident groups. Residents favor a line along Interstate 66 with portions underground. The SCC asserted putting the lines underground would be too expensive.
Nathan Grayson told the press conference he’s lived on Carver Road 51 years, and that powerline buffers would take a 300-foot swath of his land.
“We’re here since the 1860’s. We try to live peacefully. Go up 66 and bury the line,” he opined. “Some of these people are in their 80s and 90s. Get (Jeff) Bezos to stroke a check and leave us alone.” Bezos owns Amazon.com.
Pat Lightfoot said she only recently found out about the route. She asked county officials to help them, even seeking help from outside the county.
Elena Schlossberg, head of the Coalition to Protect Prince William county, called the power company “a monopoly utility,” adding Amazon doesn’t need the additional power now.
Corey Stewart contended Dominion Energy “is a corporate bully.”
He said he would stand with the residents in opposing the Carver Road route. Stewart is chairman of Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
“We will look at all legal options. The fight’s not over. Dominion had no idea when it picked a fight with Carver Road,” he claimed.
Bob Marshall said, “one way or another, we’re going to nail these people.” A Republican, he represents the 13th District in Virginia House of Delegates.
Information handed out by he delegate at the press conference noted he had been ‘fighting alongside residents to protect homeowners in western Prince William from the predatory actions of Amazon and Dominion Power.”
Marshall added he and the citizens have “raised objections every step of the way. Finally the State Corporation Commission has agreed to review its determination based on statements made by the law firm for VAData (Amazon) indicating that there is no justification for building the power lines because they are not needed for the second data center building, and that only building the third data center would necessitate these power lines.”
Marshall pointed out that Amazon, through its attorneys, indicated the third building may never be built.
Marshall alleged that Dominion wants “consumers to pay for Jeff Bezos’ electric extension cord which he should be paying for himself.”