In late 2023, a proposal by NextEra Energy to put 500kV transmission lines through rural Loudoun was accepted by PJM Interconnection to support the growing power needs of the data center industry. These lines, as proposed, would go directly through agricultural areas (including DC Wine Country), protected open spaces, and protected historic areas like the Waterford National Historic Landmark. If constructed, these lines will have a serious and long lasting adverse effect to local economy, agriculture, communities, and preservation/conservation efforts. With that in mind, the Waterford Foundation Inc. convened the Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance (LTLA) in January 2024 to organize a concentrated opposition campaign with many other preservation, conservation, community, tourism, and business representative organizations. The LTLA's position is that all transmission lines should be built within existing power corridors. We call upon NextEra Energy to avoid building a new power corridor through rural Loudoun County in view of the negative impacts of such construction on the agricultural community, local economy, heritage and natural resources, and residents of the region. Below is a copy of the full Declaration. A PDF version is also available on our website. 

Declaration by the Loudoun Transmission Line Alliance on the NextEra MARL Proposal

We, the undersigned stakeholders, representing business, preservation, agricultural, environmental, and community organizations in Loudoun County, Virginia, call upon NextEra Energy to avoid building a new power corridor through rural Loudoun County, in view of the negative impact of such construction on the agricultural community, local economy, heritage and natural resources, and residents of the region. 

We strenuously oppose construction of new “greenfield” lines in rural areas of the County.  All new transmission lines should be located within existing power corridors – which we understand would be acceptable to PJM. We also request that NextEra utilize existing rights of way and alternative methods, such as advanced conductors and the use of underground lines in highly populated areas, in order to meet the power needs of Loudoun’s data center industry.

As currently configured, the proposed route will cause major collateral damage to existing local businesses, notably in the agricultural and tourism sectors, as well as to residential valuations. Power corridors must be sited to minimize the impact on existing businesses, including those dependent on intact open landscapes. Loudoun County remains a thriving agricultural region, with 1,332 farms accounting for $50 million in sales in 2022 alone. Moreover, Loudoun’s thriving equine industry has an annual economic impact of $180 million. The proposed lines also threaten Loudoun’s $4 billion tourism industry, including $400+ million in agritourism alone.  Surveys show that the County’s landscapes, farms, wineries, breweries, and historic sites are a major draw for visitors. NextEra must account for its damage to these vital sectors of the economy. 

Historic and environmental sites, including landscapes, define the distinctive heritage of Loudoun County.  In no instance should power corridors transit through or near National Historic Landmarks, historic districts, and other properties under conservation or preservation easements. Loudoun boasts six National Historic Landmarks, seven county historic districts, and 4,426 easements that safeguard important environmental and historic sites. Conservation and historic preservation easements are legal deed restrictions that in Loudoun, are very site-specific and hence cannot be exchanged for uneased property.  Easement holders will vigorously defend these protections as any plan ignoring these protections will undermine the sanctity of easements state-wide. A noteworthy example of local, state, and federal historic and environmental protections at risk is the Waterford National Historic Landmark.  Waterford’s 1,420 acres are a rare instance of a fully intact 19th century community with scores of protected historic properties, agricultural land, natural habitats, and open spaces.
New transmission corridors in rural Loudoun would directly threaten a number of eased sites, as well as prime farmland, waterways, habitats, open spaces, and historic properties.

For NextEra, this is a commercial decision, but for Loudoun it’s existential. We call for no new power corridors in rural Loudoun!

Thank you for your support. Please sign onto our Declaration to NextEra at this link:  https://forms.gle/REE9FKDTS8ZFpkAt7

For more information and more ways to support, please visit our website:  https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/transmission-lines/