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Delegate says underground lines possible
Commenting on a recent fact-finding trip overseas, where he met with European power company officials, Del. Joe May (R-western Loudoun) said he has only "guarded optimism" that two power lines planned for Loudoun will be buried. But he did express confidence that Virginia will have more underground electricity lines coursing through it someday.
"I do guarantee that they will not fight this as hard as they did in the past," he said, referring to officials at Dominion Virginia Power, who have said underground lines are too costly to install and maintain.
May said his four-day trip in July had been in the works since last fall. Joining him were two representatives from Dominion and several other experts on power lines and cable construction. Everyone paid his or her own way, he said.
Dominion is seeking permission from Virginia's State Corporation Commission to construct two lines through Loudoun County. A 65-mile, 500-kilovolt line beginning in Frederick County, Va., would traverse parts of southern Loudoun. Meanwhile, a 12-mile, 230-kilovolt line would skirt part of the W&OD Trail from Leesburg to near Purcellville and through some of Loudoun's most expensive property.
Dominion said the additional lines are needed to serve a growing demand for energy. Loudoun is expected to add about 25,000 residents by 2010, county officials estimate.
Talking to reporters from his office in Sterling July 30, May, chair of the General Assembly's Science and Technology Committee, said he traveled to France and Denmark, where he also met with cable manufacturers and witnessed power lines being installed underground.
Of what he saw, he said most encouraging to him was that underground lines do not have to be encased in concrete, as was the case in Denmark. In the past, Dominion, which has some underground lines, has said installing the concrete makes underground an expensive option.
"We still have concerns of reliability" and safety, said John Smatlak, a Dominion vice president of electric transmission who joined May on the trip. He said France requires the concrete.
He said some of what the company learned on the trip may be applied here. But he was noncommittal on whether the proposed line from Leesburg to Purcellville would be underground, saying that is up to "the SCC."
May said Europeans told him it costs about $4 million a mile to install and maintain an underground line, about four times the amount for aboveground. But, as he pointed out, underground would spare homeowners dropping property values.
If aboveground is required here, May also said Dominion should then consider constructing more-creatively designed and less-obtrusive towers. He showed an example of one in France with a slight bow to it and poles gracefully extended out like a cross.
In February, the SCC ruled that a power line from Leesburg to Purcellville was needed. But it also said that installing an underground line be examined. A hearing on this was scheduled for July 31 in Richmond.
May said he intends to meet again with Dominion officials in early August.
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
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