Proposed Joshua Falls-Yeat 765 kV Line Faces Community Opposition

Valley Link Transmission released updated routes for the proposed 115-mile, 765 kV “Joshua Falls-Yeat” transmission line connecting two substations and published a second round of community meetings in June.

• Updated routes and project details: Valley Link released revised corridors (May 27, 2026) for the Joshua Falls-Yeat 115-mile, 765 kV transmission line; the proposed starting point appears moved ~2 miles southeast, requiring a new Joshua-Falls substation; Valley Link is hosting June community meetings (see meeting dates PDF) and expects to file an application with the State Corporation Commission in September 2026. The PJM re-approval of scope changes is expected likely in July 2026 before the SCC filing. The line is intended to serve Dominion Energy’s growing data center queue and would traverse nine Virginia counties.
• Opposition, legal actions, and context: Eight of the nine counties’ boards of supervisors have adopted formal resolutions opposing the project; at least five counties (Culpeper, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Orange) are working under joint legal representation. PEC and partners (including Preservation Virginia and Historic Germanna) have publicized cultural, historic, environmental, and economic impacts (visitor spending in the region was $677.7 million in 2024). Culpeper County has local approval authority for the proposed Yeat substation; Campbell County must approve the new Joshua Falls substation location. The email is an advocacy/update from PEC encouraging public comment to custsvc@pjm.com prior to PJM board review.