Loudoun Working Group Reviews Electrical Infrastructure

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission received an update June 30 on the work of the county’s Electrical Infrastructure Working Group, a collaborative effort established last month to discuss electrical infrastructure planning and future power needs.

The working group was created by the Board of Supervisors to examine the county’s electrical infrastructure over the next five to seven years, including future substations, grid reliability and the buildout needed to support continued growth.

County Attorney Leo P. Rogers, who is facilitating the group, said the first four meetings have brought together key stakeholders to discuss electrical infrastructure planning and community concerns.

“These meetings have included meaningful discussions among key stakeholders that have advanced our understanding of this critical issue in our community,” Rogers said. He added that the group will continue meeting and provide regular public updates to the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission.

According to a June 30 memorandum from county staff, more than 40 participants have taken part in the group’s first four meetings. Members include county staff, representatives from the data center industry, electric utilities, homeowners associations, community organizations, and members of the Board of Supervisors and their staff.

The discussions have focused on:

• Countywide electrical infrastructure needs over the next five to seven years.
• Planning for future substations, including the Aspen, Golden, Barrister and Deimos substations.
• Substation design, function and visual impacts.
• Community outreach and public communication.

The county emphasized that the working group is advisory only. Any decisions regarding electrical infrastructure or related projects will be made by the Board of Supervisors during public meetings.

Loudoun County Homeowners Coalition Alliance Chair Ben Keethler said the meetings have improved communication among utilities, county officials, the data center industry and community representatives.

He said bringing stakeholders together before major infrastructure decisions are made has helped build understanding, improve transparency and give residents an opportunity to participate earlier in discussions that affect their neighborhoods.

During the joint meeting, members of both the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission stressed the importance of keeping the public informed as the process moves forward. The working group also plans to encourage public participation in Dominion Energy community meetings and county-led meetings related to data center development standards and locations.

The working group is expected to continue meeting periodically to discuss grid reliability, substation planning, public outreach and other electrical infrastructure issues.