Northern Virginia Needs Power

One of our most critical transmission line projects is in Northern Virginia. The region's fast-paced growth is placing increasingly at risk Dominion's ability to meet the energy needs of our Northern Virginia customers.

To overcome this risk, Dominion has proposed a new 65-mile transmission line that connects substations in eastern Frederick, southern Fauquier, western Prince William and eastern Loudoun counties. This line will bring power to the region and improve the overall reliability of the system.

Population and economic expansion in Northern Virginia has been tremendous and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the region's growth is a major reason that the demand for electricity in Virginia is expected to increase by 4,000 megawatts over the next decade - the equivalent of adding one million new homes. If the new line is not built, Dominion's ability to provide Northern Virginia customers with reliable, affordable power will be at risk as soon as 2011.

An independent study by KEMA, a well respected international engineering firm, states that Northern Virginians would need to reduce their electricity use at times of greatest demand by 40 percent in the next four years to avert the need for the line.

To assume that such a program could be designed, approved, implemented and accepted by enough customers in less than four years to meet this level of reduction is clearly not reasonable.

And after exploring every alternative, we're certain that a new transmission line is the very best way to serve our Northern Virginia customers. Without it, the prospect of blackouts-like those in Ohio, New York, Michigan and California just a few years ago-is very real.

Building this transmission line will prevent blackouts, provide important support for ongoing economic growth throughout the region and ensure the reliable delivery of electric power.