Dominion Substations to Support Dulles Area Data Centers

Fairfax County Planning Commission , at its meeting on July 9,, approved Dominion Energy’s request for two new substations that will support future data centres in the Dulles region.

The 300-megawatt Towerview Substation is located between Sully Road and Park Center Road, in the Floris neighbourhood just east of Dulles International Airport. Dominion is leasing the site from the owner Dulles gateway data center which is currently being built immediately to the south.

The station will provide energy for the Renaissance Technology Park data centers planned to the east. It will also use the excess capacity to support existing homes and businesses, as well as to support future development.

Residents of Fosters Glen, a townhouse development immediately north of the parcel of 3.8 acres at 13921 Park Center Road, were unhappy with the plan. They raised concerns about noise, safety, water and pollution.

Pavani Singaraju asked Pavani, a community resident who spoke during the public hearing: “What precautions are you going to take?”

Sanjida Rahhid, another neighbor, suggested that a better option would be to expand a substation nearby or on another plot of land.

She said, “No other locations were considered.” Wouldn’t it be more logical to have another substation [located] further south?

Rashid stated that the buffer between Dominion’s proposed facility and Fosters Glen will be a major problem.

I find 100 feet much too close. She said, “It’s not enough.”

Sheri Akin is a land use attorney at McGuireWoods, representing Dominion. She said that the distance between substations and the northern boundary of the property ranged from 112 to 190 feet.

Akin stated that “substations, aside from a low buzzing sound, are generally pretty quiet.” There are many more substations in Fairfax County.

Akin stated that Dominion will commit to complying with county noise regulations. These require a maximum noise level of 55 decibels along the property boundary.

Akin noted that airport and traffic noises were present in the area. “We’re confident that we will meet the 55 decibels.”

The chair of the commission, Phil Niedzielski Eichner, a member at large, requested that Dominion work with the local community during construction as well as after operations start.

He asked Dominion’s representatives, “I assume you’ll be a good neighbour — is that the correct assumption?”

The construction of the project will begin next year, and it should take 18 months to finish.

Second Substation Approved

On July 9, the planning commission approved plans for a second Dominion 300-megawatt substation located on the northeast corner between Route 50 and Avion Parkway, just north of Chantilly Park Shopping Center.

The takeoff substation is being built on a 10.2-acre, mostly undeveloped site. The substation will provide power to data centers located on the opposite side of Avion Parkway, and it will also add capacity for future and existing development.

Evelyn Spain of the Sully District, which includes both projects, said that unlike in the other case “there has been no opposition recorded”.

Spain stated that the substation would ensure a “reliable infrastructure of utilities” along the corridor.

The commission members asked some questions regarding landscaping and noise but ultimately approved the application by a vote of 9-0.

Mary Cortina, Braddock District Commission Commissioner said: “Overall I think that the site selection is done well.”

Akin, Dominion’s legal representative, stated that this station would be “another tool in Dominion’s toolbox” in order to meet the growing energy needs in the area.

The facilities will be 100 feet away from Route 50 with a buffer of trees. The existing ponds on the western and northern reaches of the parcel will remain, and the 12-foot decorative wall will surround the entire property.

Takeoff shares its boundary with Dulles Airport to the east.

Both projects received unanimous approval from the members of the Planning Commission. Timothy Sargeant, an at-large commissioner, recused himself in each case from the discussion and final vote because he had previously worked as a communications and media relations specialist for Dominion Energy.

The Code of Virginia requires that both substation proposals be approved through the “2232 review process of the county to ensure that government and public utilities projects are compatible with comprehensive plans.

The planning commission is rare in making a decision on a project that falls under section, as opposed to merely recommending it to the Board of Supervisors.