The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to shut the door on two of the routes Dominion Energy had proposed for its Nokesville to Bristow 230-kilovolt transmission line — a project that would have cut through county-owned property in six locations along the Broad Run Linear Park's tree preserve.
The board's resolution states that the county "does not support and does not intend to grant Dominion Energy access to County property or easements" for what Dominion had labeled Routes 5 and 12, known as the blue and light blue lines. A Dominion Energy spokesperson told InsideNoVa Wednesday that the blue route "has now been officially eliminated from consideration" now that the county has declined to grant the needed easements.
A Win Credited to Community Pushback
Map: Dominion Energy. Routes shown reflect the utility's most recent proposal and remain subject to change.
Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy, whose district includes the affected property, praised the vote but was careful not to call it a finish line. "This is a victory for the residents of Braemar, Victory Lakes, Saybrooke, and everyone who spoke up throughout this process," Gordy said in a Tuesday night release. "Your letters, emails, testimony, and unwavering advocacy made a real difference."
From the dais, Gordy emphasized protecting the Broad Run Linear Park's tree preserve, where the eliminated routes would have crossed in six spots. He said he wants the lines undergrounded and pointed to space STACK Infrastructure has set aside at its Bristow site for a switching station that would route the lines underground beneath a Broad Run tributary.
Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson echoed that framing, calling the decision "not political" and saying it wasn't meant to favor one community over another. Occoquan Supervisor Kenny Boddye added, just before the unanimous vote, that the board wanted to present a unified front on the issue.
What Happens Next
The vote doesn't end the process. Virginia's State Corporation Commission in Richmond will make the final call on the transmission line's route, and Dominion has not yet made a formal submission — the utility is still gathering community input. Dominion will hold a public meeting on the project July 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Patriot High School.