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VA Senator Srinivasan backs undergrounding powerline project
The project is a key infrastructure initiative designed to address the rapidly growing energy demands in eastern Loudoun County.
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Kannan Srinivasan. / X/Kannanforva
Virginia State Senator Kannan Srinivasan expressed his commitment to ensuring the underground installation of power lines that will be part of the Golden-Mars project in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Proposed by Dominion Energy, the project aims to enhance reliability and address the region's growing energy demand by constructing a new double-circuit transmission line, which will connect the existing Golden substation to the Mars substation and complete a 500 kV loop through the area.
According to the firm, this will strengthen the region's energy grid and ensure a stable and reliable power source to meet the increasing needs of both residential and industrial consumers.
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However, residents and environmental groups, including the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, have raised concerns about the impact of overhead transmission lines on wildlife and property values. The firm in its feasibility report acknowledged that while undergrounding the transmission lines is technically feasible, it presents challenges such as longer construction timelines, unfamiliar technology for grid reliability projects, and increased costs. Srinivasan emphasized that while the the State Corporation Commission (SCC) holds final approval authority, the review process will include opportunities for public comment and hearings. “Since Dominion Energy's first information session last July, I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of treating undergrounding as a serious and necessary priority for our community,” he said.
My statement on the Golden-Mars Transmission Project: pic.twitter.com/KP6dyh1ToZ
— Senator Kannan Srinivasan (@Kannanforva) March 27, 2025
"We must make every possible effort to protect public health, safety, and the environmen," he added.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, Srinivasan introduced a bill to expand a pilot program supporting the undergrounding of 500 kV lines. While the bill faced challenges related to cost concerns and allocation, he reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for undergrounding near schools and residential areas.
As Dominion Energy prepares to file its application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Need (CPCN) with the State Corporation Commission (SCC), initiating the formal review process, Kannan urged all stakeholders to work together toward undergrounding solutions, prioritizing safety and thoroughly evaluating all possibilities.
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