Subramanyam Offers a Lifeline as SCC Refuses to Halt Golden to Mars Project

By Valerie Cury

One day after the Virginia State Corporation Commission declined to suspend its final order approving Dominion Energy’s Golden to Mars transmission project, U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam announced what he believes could be a significant new alternative—routing the transmission line primarily along Route 606 instead of through neighborhoods or across school property.

The two announcements highlight the growing tension between a legal process the SCC considers complete and continued efforts by elected officials and residents to identify a less harmful route for one of the many controversial infrastructure projects driven by the enormous electricity demands created by Loudoun County’s more than 250 data centers.

SCC Refuses to Delay Project Further

On July 20, the SCC issued an Order Denying Suspension, rejecting requests filed by the Loudoun County School Board, Loudoun County and the Loudoun Valley Estates Homeowners Association to suspend the Commission’s June 29 Final Order while petitions for reconsideration are reviewed.

The School Board had asked the Commission to reconsider portions of its June 29 decision or clarify aspects of the order. The homeowners association sought reconsideration or a rehearing, while Loudoun County requested that the Final Order be suspended pending expedited review.

The Commission declined the requests.

In its order, the SCC reiterated its conclusion that further delays would threaten electric reliability within Virginia.

“The Commission found that continued delay in this matter unreasonably jeopardizes the provision of reliable electric service within the Commonwealth.”

Because of that finding, the Commission ruled it would not suspend its Final Order while the various petitions remain pending.

Perhaps even more significantly, the Commission stated that the evidentiary record has been closed since Jan. 15, 2026, and denied any requests to reopen it.

The order concludes:

“The Commission hereby declines to delay this matter further by suspending the Final Order … Accordingly … this matter is dismissed.”

The ruling leaves Dominion’s approved transmission route intact while the Commission considers any remaining legal filings.

Subramanyam Says Route 606 May Be Possible After All

Less than 24 hours later, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam announced what could represent a turning point in the debate.

In a July 21 news release, Subramanyam said the community has been presented with what he described as a “false choice” between routing the transmission line through residential neighborhoods or across school property.

Subramanyam said he now believes that may not be the only option.

“We’ve been faced with a false choice,” the congressman said.

Subramanyam said he had previously been told that routing the transmission line primarily along Route 606 was not feasible because the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), whose property lies along portions of the corridor, would oppose such a route.

After sending a formal letter to NOAA and meeting personally with NOAA Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs, however, Subramanyam said he believes that position has changed.

“I am confident that the Administrator and his team will explore and even support allowing an alternative Golden to Mars route along their property,” he said.

The proposed Route 606 alignment would generally follow Old Ox Road rather than passing through established residential communities or school campuses.

Calling for a New Look

Subramanyam is urging Dominion Energy, the State Corporation Commission, and state and local officials to revisit the issue.

“If we aren’t going to underground these lines, I urge the utility company, local and state officials, and the State Corporation Commission to come back to the table and make Route 606 the choice for the Golden to Mars transmission project,” he said.

He argued that every reasonable alternative should be evaluated before construction proceeds, saying the community should not be forced to choose between protecting neighborhoods and protecting schools.

A Door Closes, Another Opens

The timing of the two announcements underscores the difficult position facing the community.

Legally, the SCC’s July 20 order signals that the Commission believes the extensive evidentiary process has concluded and that continued delays threaten electric reliability. The Commission also made clear it does not intend to reopen the factual record that closed in January.

However, Subramanyam’s announcement raises the possibility that a route previously believed to be unavailable may warrant renewed discussion outside the current SCC record.

Whether the proposed Route 606 alignment can still be considered despite the Commission’s refused the day before to reopen the case remains uncertain. 

The SCC’s latest order indicates that any new routing proposal would not be evaluated within the existing evidentiary record, leaving questions about what procedural avenue would be available to pursue such an alternative.

Subramanyam, however, urged officials not to abandon what he believes could be a less harmful solution.

“We must consider every option possible, particularly if it can help mitigate harm to our schools and residents,” he said. “These Golden to Mars deliberations have caused too much pain and the proposed routes will create too much harm to generations of Loudoun residents. We must prioritize giving this option a look instead of endless litigation and fights.”