Ongoing story · Updated October 27, 2026
Power lines and substations in Northern Virginia
As of October 27, Loudoun County, the Loudoun County School Board and local homeowners' associations have filed formal appeals with the Virginia Supreme Court challenging the State Corporation Commission's approval of the Golden to Mars transmission line route through eastern Loudoun. In Prince William, Dominion Energy sued the Board of County Supervisors, as reported October 23, over its rejection of a special use permit for the Vint Hill substation. Opposition to the proposed Nokesville-Bristow 230kV transmission line continues in the Brentsville area.
Key points
In June 2026, Prince William supervisors imposed a 90-day deferral on Dominion Energy's controversial Vint Hill gas-insulated switching station in Nokesville.
In late July, the Civic Association of Brentsville & Surrounding Communities (CABSA) held a rally at Patriot High School protesting the Nokesville-Bristow 230kV transmission line and its aboveground route.
In August, Rep. Don Beyer urged denial of the Edsall data center substation in Fairfax County; in September, Prince William supervisors deferred the "Project Industry" data center application, which includes a six-acre electric substation.
On September 17, Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson, Brentsville Supervisor Tom Gordy and Coles Supervisor Yesli Vega held a community conversation in Nokesville on proposed transmission lines, where they advised residents to "be relentless" in opposing them.
Prince William supervisors unanimously voted down the Vint Hill switching station in a vote reported September 23; Dominion Energy then sued the board over the special use permit denial, as reported October 23.
After the State Corporation Commission ruled earlier this year that Dominion could build high-voltage lines through eastern Loudoun, Loudoun County, the School Board and homeowners' associations including Loudoun Valley Estates filed Virginia Supreme Court appeals of the Golden to Mars route, reported October 27.
Questions
What happened with the Vint Hill substation in Prince William County?
Supervisors deferred the decision for 90 days in June, then unanimously voted down the gas-insulated switching station in a vote reported September 23. Dominion Energy has since sued the board over the permit denial.
Who is appealing the Golden to Mars transmission line decision?
Loudoun County, the Loudoun County School Board and local homeowners' associations, including the Loudoun Valley Estates HOA, have filed appeals with the Virginia Supreme Court against the State Corporation Commission's approval of the route.
What are residents doing about the Nokesville-Bristow transmission line?
The Civic Association of Brentsville & Surrounding Communities held a rally at Patriot High School opposing the aboveground route, and county supervisors at a September town hall advised residents to be relentless in their opposition.
Summarized from the headlines and excerpts of the 12 stories below and updated as new coverage arrives. The linked stories are the record.