Frequently Asked Questions

The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the electric transmission route and associated infrastructure in August 2022. After negotiating easements along a final route, pre-construction began in November 2023, and construction is expected to occur through 2026.

Fentress was chosen as the location for the interconnection due to its ability to reliably allow for the delivery of the large amount of electricity that will come onshore from the offshore wind generation.

Fentress Substation will be expanded to accommodate the new equipment needed to support the additional transmission lines that will connect offshore wind energy to the broader electric grid. The expansion will occur within the existing property boundary.

We investigated a 100% underground route option; however, due to significant environmental impacts on the area, cost and construction complexities, this option was not determined to be feasible.

We looked for every opportunity to co-locate with existing rights-of-way and other available space to minimize impacts to communities and sensitive resources. The route which state regulators ultimately approved is the shortest, limits the need for new right-of-way and also minimizes, to the greatest extent possible, impacts on the environment, historical and cultural resources.

With 92% of the route located within the undeveloped and former Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt roadway study corridor or co-located with existing transmission corridors, the approved route also limits direct impacts to private property and the community.

In some areas, yes, although the extent of the widening will vary. We will need a 140-foot right-of-way to maintain electrical and safety clearances. Where the approved transmission route co-locates with existing infrastructure, the rights-of-way will not need to be expanded by the full 140 feet.

In most instances, the new structures will be single-circuit, steel monopoles. They will be, on average, 130 feet tall. In some limited instances, we will utilize double-circuit, steel monopoles averaging 130 feet in height.