Part 2 of 2: Updates on critical data center issues impacting the Piedmont
This text was taken from an email alert sent out on November 20, 2025. Sign up for email alerts →
Dear Supporter,
As we mentioned in Part 1 of our email earlier this week, there is another opportunity right now to share your input on an important issue impacting our region. We hope you will take a few minutes before Monday, Dec. 8 to voice your concerns and opinions on proposals for yet more massive transmission lines to serve data centers.
What’s being proposed? To serve an increase in electricity demand projected through 2032 resulting from the explosive data center growth in the northern and central Virginia areas, PJM (the regional transmission operator that manages the electric grid and wholesale electricity market for our region) put out a request for transmission proposals (called RTEP 2025 Window 1).
From 134 submissions that were received, two were selected that would directly impact PEC’s region: Proposal 275 and Proposal 331, both from Dominion Energy. (For more info on the two proposals, see section below called “Current Lines Proposed…”)
These two RTEP 2025 Window 1 proposals are in addition to other transmission line project recommendations that have already been approved. (For more info, see section below called “Lines Already in the Pipeline.”)
Why it’s important: The proposal(s) PJM ultimately chooses—which could be both, one, or parts of both—will have significant impacts on the areas those transmission lines would traverse, including near residential neighborhoods and community resources like parks, trails and historic sites, as well as large areas of conserved lands.
This is a continuous, cumulative process, with an ongoing set of problems to solve, so it is important to be alert to these proposals and weigh in at every opportunity.
It’s also worth remembering that, even though PJM does not take it into consideration, the cost of the proposed transmission lines is currently distributed among all utility customers (ratepayers). Therefore, even if you don’t live near where the lines are built, you will ultimately see these costs reflected in your electric bill.
Weigh in: Send an Email to the PJM Board
These numerous, large transmission line proposals will all have an impact on our communities. If you have significant concerns or opinions, such as the impact of additional lines (especially through greenfields), it’s important to let PJM know by submitting your comments before its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 8
Your comments will be forwarded to the Planning Department and compiled for Board consideration. Your comments to the Board are public and will be posted on the Board Communications page of the PJM website.
Current Lines Proposed for Energy Hungry Data Centers
To meet the projected energy needs from data centers that exceed the capacity of previously approved regional expansion plans (explained below), PJM has selected two additional proposals, both from Dominion Energy, for more transmission lines that would impact PEC’s region.
The PJM Board of Managers will select projects for this RTEP 2025 Window 1 in January 2026, so be sure to submit your comments before its next meeting on Dec. 8. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Proposal 275
Proposal 275 is the first proposal from Dominion for a HVDC (high-voltage direct current) line (see shaded box). According to the proposal, this line would be underground, along the existing right of way near Emporia in southern Virginia, to the west of Richmond and going north, ending in Loudoun County.
- Several above-ground 500 kV legs would branch off from this line as well, (see map), including:
- A line from southern Fauquier east to Dale City and Occoquan
- A line east of U.S. Interstate 95 going through Caroline County
- A line that would follow the existing right of way through Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Powhatan and Louisa
HVDC Explained
HVDC, or high-voltage direct current, is an electrical transmission technology that uses direct current (DC), rather than alternating current (AC), to efficiently transmit large amounts of power over long distances. Compared to AC transmission, HVDC has lower power losses over long distances, requires less infrastructure, and offers more control over power flow, making it ideal for connecting renewable energy sources. The downside is that the initial cost is high and the more complex system can be less reliable.
Read more →
Proposal 331
Proposal 331 is for another set of large 765 kV transmission lines and several 500 kV lines. (see map):
- 765 kV lines:
- Loop starting east of Lynchburg, to Appomattox and Charlotte, then turning north at Chase City and connecting in Fluvanna County.
- A line that would start east of Emporia, go west of Richmond, and connect in Hanover County.
- 500 kV lines:
- A line that would start in Fluvanna County, into Albemarle County and the town of Gordonsville.
- A line that would follow Virginia State Route 33 to Louisa County, then go west to North Anna Nuclear Plant.
- A second line would go north from Gordonsville to Orange, across Clarke Mountain to Stevensburg and Remington, before connecting in Morrisville.
- A line from southern Fauquier County going east to Dale City and Occoquan.
Lines Already in the Pipeline
As a reminder, PJM previously selected regional transmission expansion plans to serve data centers that are now being planned, approved and constructed by the State Corporation Commission, Dominion Energy, and First Energy. These plans, known as RTEP 2022 Window 3 and RTEP 2024 Window 1, include the addition of 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines and a 765 kV line through our region (see map below).
- 500 kV lines – these are currently the biggest transmission lines in our region, with towers as tall as 185 feet. Specific lines:
- From Fauquier County to Loudoun County, called the Morrisville to Wishing Star line;
- Loop around eastern Loudoun County comprised of the Aspen to Golden, Golden to Mars, and Mars to Wishing Star lines;
- Through northern Loudoun County and out to West Virginia, called the Gore-Doubs-Goose Creek Improvements Project; and a
- Loop near Fredericksburg, called the Kraken Loop.
- 765 kV line – this would be the first line of this size in our region. These lines are generally larger than 500 kV lines. Specific line:
Beyond PEC’s region, these projects would also go through agricultural and residential areas in Maryland and West Virginia to provide more capacity for delivering electricity from coal power plants in West Virginia including the Fort Martin, Harrison and John Amos facilities.
Join the Conversation at our 2026 Data Center Reform General Assembly Lobby Day
Tell the industry and your legislators that you’ve had enough! It is time for our legislators to take strong action, whether that means eliminating the sales tax exemption for the data center industry and reclaiming the nearly $1 billion that Virginia is giving to Big Tech each year, or advocating for PEC’s Four Pillars of Transparency, Oversight, Rate Payer Protection, and Mitigation. All options need to be on the table. There is a lot we can do in this upcoming 2026 General Assembly session!
The Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition is excited to announce our Lobby Day for the 2026 General Assembly session on Friday, Feb. 9, 2026. Together, we are urging state lawmakers to take bold action on the unchecked, exponential growth of data centers in Virginia. This event is your chance to meet face-to-face with legislators, alongside fellow advocates in your district, to lobby for a smarter approach to data center development in our state. You don’t need to be a seasoned advocate, as you will be paired with other experts. Moreover, the Coalition will host a virtual prep meeting for all who register to answer questions and go over what we are asking lawmakers to support.
In the meantime, please forward this alert to your legislators, so they know how these issues are threatening the quality of life and public health of Virginians.
We’re making progress, so let’s keep it up!
Thanks to people like you sounding the alarm, the pace of data center development has slowed down significantly, with many proposals being deferred or denied. Thank you!
But we must keep voicing our concerns. Despite a near constant barrage of negative news articles highlighting the cumulative environmental and public health impacts, some localities in Virginia continue to approve massive new data center projects with few guardrails.
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted comments in response to our email alert on DEQ’s proposed change to allow data centers to run emergency generators more – the response has been phenomenal and your comments will put pressure on DEQ to do better! If you missed it, that email alert can be found on our website; comments are being accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Lastly, if you haven’t done so, check out our press release on the Three Things Everyone Needs to Know About Data Centers in Virginia, Right Now.
Thank you for taking the time to take action on these important topics and we look forward to engaging with you on these issues and more. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Julie Bolthouse
Director of Land Use
[email protected]
(540) 347-2334 x7042
P.S. Don’t forget to support the continued work of PEC in your end-of-year giving, if you are able!