By Terri Erwin-Fitz
The State Corporation Commission will hold hearings on Dominion Power’s proposed Haymarket 230kV and substation project on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Monday, March 14, at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Battlefield High School’s auditorium located at 15000 Graduation Drive in Haymarket.
In addition, the SCC has announced that they will hold a third hearing on Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at Battlefield High School.
Ken Schrad, director of information for the SCC, said that scheduling an additional meeting is dependent on the level of interest in a particular case. In this case, they have seen a large level of local interest and believed that a third meeting would allow all residents with an interest to have their voices and comments heard.
Schrad said that the SCC is dependent on the venue, which is Battlefield High School, on how late they can run hearings. He says they are at the “mercy” of the facility they are using. If they are told they have to leave at a certain time by the custodial staff, then they must leave and additional testimony will be taken at the next hearing.
He added that an additional date will allow people who may not be able to testify at the dates in February and March more flexibility or for those who cannot stay late to ensure their comments are recorded. He reminded all that the meeting dates that a 4:30 time may roll over into the 7 p.m. time depending on the amount of people who attend.
He added that the SCC has already heard from many residents who have provided written comments. Schrad said that the additional hearing date does not change anything else in the SCC’s schedule for this case.