WHITE STONE—A State Corporation Commission (SCC) hearing examiner released a report Monday recommending that Dominion Energy transmission lines across the Rappahannock River at the Robert O. Norris Jr. Memorial Bridge be placed underground rather than on towers, as proposed by the utility.
SCC senior hearing examiner Alexander F. Skirpan Jr. summarized the evidence in the case, which started in 2015, and concluded that “Because of the significant and negative impacts of an overhead line on the viewshed and local economy, I find that an underground alternative best meets the needs identified in this proceeding and will reasonably minimize adverse impact on the scenic assets, historic districts and environment of the area concerned.”
Skirpan’s report now goes to the three-member commission, which regulates Virginia utilities. Comments on his August 21 report must be received within 28 days.
