Dominion Virginia Power gets OK to add transmission lines

Dominion Virginia Power has received state regulators' approval to build two new transmission lines running from Dinwiddie County through Suffolk and Chesapeake.

The project, dubbed Carson-Suffolk-Thrasher after the substations it will connect, includes 500-kilovolt and 230-kilovolt overhead lines across 82 miles. In its application to the State Corporation Commission, Dominion said it needed the lines to handle increasing electricity demand in South Hampton Roads. The commission agreed.

About 26 miles of the 500-kilovolt line will run along Dominion's existing right of way between Dinwiddie County and Suffolk. In response to Suffolk officials' and developers' concerns, Dominion modified its initial route for the 34 miles along a new right of way to avoid the Millstone residential area, to accommodate three future development projects and to address scenic, historic and environmental property in the city.

The 230-kilovolt line will run 21.5 miles from Suffolk to Chesapeake on Dominion's current right of way through Western Branch and South Norfolk along Chesapeake's northern boundary.

Carolyn Shapiro, (757) 446-2270, carolyn.shapiro@pilotonline.com