See our press release below for the latest developments! __________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE
Bill Burying Haymarket Transmission Line Passes General Assembly
Executive director says: “Buried is better – and within our community’s reach.”
Haymarket, Virginia (March 5, 2018) – Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed a “Grid Modernization” bill that includes provisions to bury most of the Haymarket transmission line.
“It’s always been about one thing: Stop Dominion Power Towers,” Coalition executive director Elena Schlossberg said. “Four years ago – or even four months ago – a legislative solution seemed beyond our reach. Thanks to the power and persistence of some local elected officials, legislation that spares our community from having high voltage transmission lines strung over homes and habitat could become law.”
Schlossberg continued, “Delegate Tim Hugo played a pivotal role in getting this legislation passed in a form that both included the undergrounding provision and improved over earlier versions to better serve the interests of all Virginians. Delegate Hugo took a decisive public stand on undergrounding, and never wavered.”
“This process has been tense on both sides of the aisle,” Schlossberg stated. “Delegates John J. Bell and Luke Torian, Democrats representing parts of Prince William County, voted for the legislation; other local Democrats voted ‘No.’ Senator Dick Black, one of fourteen Republican legislators who ultimately voted against the overall bill, pragmatically exercised influence to protect undergrounding during a chaotic amendment process. I’ve said before, reasonable people can disagree, but for me it comes back to that simple mission: stop the power towers.”
“And this process is not over,” Schlossberg added. “Our position has been consistent: I-66 and buried, only if the need is proven. In April, the Coalition and our allies will resume making our case with Dominion’s regulator that, in fact, the need for this project has not been proven. This legislation is our community’s insurance policy that, even if Dominion overcomes the many inconsistencies and deficiencies in its case, Haymarket residents won’t be staring at Amazon’s private extension cord overhead.”
Enrolled on March 2, the bill becomes law on March 9, pending any adverse action by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. Dominion’s partially-buried “Hybrid Option” includes 2.2 miles of overhead line and 3.1 miles of underground line, according to Dominion filings.
>Schlossberg concluded, “Thanks to Delegate Hugo and others, our community’s multi-year battle to stop the power towers could be reaching its conclusion. We can’t breathe a sigh of relief yet, but that moment is getting closer. No legislation is perfect, but on balance, Haymarket residents will be better off with this legislation in place. Buried is better, it’s that simple.”