Loudoun County School Board Holds Meeting on Proposed Transmission Lines

The Loudoun County School Board convened a special meeting at Rock Ridge High School to receive input from residents regarding Dominion Energy’s proposed high-voltage transmission lines. The project aims to support data center operations in the region by connecting substations with new infrastructure spanning approximately nine miles. Attendees voiced specific worries about the routes crossing private properties and portions of school land.

The lines would extend through neighborhoods in eastern Loudoun County, including areas near existing homes and educational facilities. Officials noted that the Virginia State Corporation Commission had recently issued approvals for aspects of the project. The board session allowed for structured public comment on potential impacts to district assets.

Loudoun County School Board members participating include Anne Donohue serving as Vice-Chair and At-Large representative, April Chandler as Chair for the Algonkian District, Ross Svenson of the Broad Run District, Jon Pepper representing the Dulles District, Amy Riccardi from the Sterling District, Lauren Shernoff of the Leesburg District, Deana Griffiths for the Ashburn District, and Kari LaBell from the Catoctin District along with other elected members.

Background on the initiative reveals it forms part of broader efforts to expand electrical capacity amid growing demand from technology facilities in Northern Virginia. Dominion Energy has described the lines as necessary for reliable power delivery. Residents at the meeting provided details on how the structures might affect daily life, property maintenance, and school operations.

The gathering followed earlier proceedings where the State Corporation Commission addressed related applications. School board leadership has indicated ongoing monitoring of developments that could intersect with educational properties. No immediate actions were finalized during the session, which focused primarily on listening to community perspectives.

Discussions highlighted the project’s scale and its alignment with regional economic patterns driven by data center growth. Representatives from the utility have previously outlined mitigation measures in other contexts. The board’s role centers on protecting school district interests while operating within regulatory frameworks established at the state level.

Public participation reflected a range of viewpoints on infrastructure needs versus localized effects. Organizers ensured the format allowed multiple speakers to share observations about backyard routes and proximity to school grounds. Follow-up steps may involve coordination with county supervisors or further review of project filings.

This process occurs against the backdrop of Virginia’s energy planning and land use policies. The special meeting served as one avenue for input collection ahead of any potential school board positions on the matter. Updates on the transmission line proposals continue to be tracked by local government entities.

Email the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors at:
Phyllis Randall (Chair, At-Large) – Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov,
Mike Turner (Vice Chair, Ashburn District) – Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov,
Juli Briskman (Algonkian District) – Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov,
Sylvia Glass (Broad Run District) – Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov,
Caleb Kershner (Catoctin District) – Caleb.Kershner@loudoun.gov,
Matt Letourneau (Dulles District) – Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov,
Kristen Umstattd (Leesburg District) – Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov,
Laura TeKrony (Little River District) – laura.tekrony@loudoun.gov,
Koran Saines (Sterling District) – Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov,

Email the Loudoun County School Board at:
April Chandler, april.chandler@lcps.org,
Anne Donohue, anne.donohue@lcps.org,
Ross Svenson, ross.stevenson@lcps.org,
Lauren Shernoff, lauren.shernoff@lcps.org,
Kari LaBell, kari.labell@lcps.org,
Sumera Rashid, sumera.rashid@lcps.org,
Deana Griffiths, deana.griffiths@lcps.org,
Jon Pepper, jonathon.pepper@lcps.org,
Amy Riccardi, amy.riccardi@lcps.org,

Email the Loudoun County School Board:
April Chandler, april.chandler@lcps.org,
Anne Donohue, anne.donohue@lcps.org,
Deana Griffiths, deana.griffiths@lcps.org,
Ross Svenson, ross.stevenson@lcps.org,
Kari LaBell, kari.labell@lcps.org,
Jon Pepper, jonathon.pepper@lcps.org,
Lauren Shernoff, lauren.shernoff@lcps.org,
Sumera Rashid, sumera.rashid@lcps.org,
Amy Riccardi, amy.riccardi@lcps.org,

Email the Board of Supervisors at:
Phyllis J. Randall (Chair, At-Large) – Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov,
Michael R. Turner (Vice Chair, Ashburn District) – Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov,
Juli E. Briskman (Algonkian District) – Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov,
Sylvia R. Glass (Broad Run District) – Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov,
Caleb Kershner (Catoctin District) – caleb.kershner@loudoun.gov,
Matthew F. Letourneau (Dulles District) – Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov,
Kristen C. Umstattd (Leesburg District) – Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov,
Laura A. TeKrony (Little River District) – Laura.TeKrony@loudoun.gov,
Koran Saines (Sterling District) – Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov