MOTION: LAWSON April 12, 2016 Regular Meeting
SECOND: CANDLAND Res. No. 16 –
RE: AFFIRM INTENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A PUBLIC WITNESS IN THE HAYMARKET 230 kV TRANSMISSION LINE AND SUBSTATION PROJECT AND COMMITMENT TO I-66 HYBRID OPTION; DIRECT COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO IDENTIFY AND CONTRACT WITH INDEPENDENT FIRM TO PROVIDE COST ANALYSIS FOR INSTALLATION OF OVERHEAD POWER TRANSMISSION LINES VERSUS UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION; AND TRANSFER FUNDS NOT TO EXCEED $35,000 FROM CONTIGENCY FUNDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF SUCH ANALYSIS.
ACTION:
WHEREAS, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors remains strongly committed to protecting the property rights of its citizens who would potentially be negatively impacted by the proposed Haymarket 230 kV Transmission Line overhead routing plan proposed by Dominion Power that is currently under consideration by the State Corporation Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors formally withdrew its participation as a respondent on the advice of the County Attorney and staff, the Board fully intends to participate actively as a Public Witness in this matter to support the I-66 Hybrid option; and
WHEREAS, a significant issue that will be considered by the State Corporation Commission on the proposed routing plan is the cost-benefit analysis for the proposed overhead transmission line versus the underground transmission line installation; and
WHEREAS, the preferred underground installation option may substantially mitigate the potential harmful impacts on: property value, homeowners, and the rural and residential character of the impacted area covered by the proposed routing plan using the overhead transmission line model; and
WHEREAS, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors is prepared to provide the State Corporation Commission all relevant data documenting the specific policies adopted in our Comprehensive Plan, which demonstrate that no transmission corridor, or high-tech corridor, has been established for the impacted area contained in the proposed routing plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors does hereby (1) direct the Chairman of the Board to send a letter to the State Corporation Commission re-affirming the intent of the Board to participate actively as a Public Witness in the Haymarket 230 kV Transmission Line and Substation Project currently before the Commission and re-affirming the Board’s commitment to the I-66 Hybrid option, and (2) directs the County Executive to identify and contract with an independent firm to analyze and document the true cost analysis comparison of the installation of overhead transmission lines versus burying those transmission lines underground, the cost of which shall be funded from the Contingency and not to exceed $35,000 without additional Board approval.
Votes:
Ayes: Anderson, Caddigan, Candland, Lawson, Nohe, Principi, Stewart
Nays: Jenkins