(The Center Square) – Northern Virginia residents questioned Dominion Energy’s proposed transmission expansion Wednesday, raising concerns about data center demand, project costs and the impact of new power lines on private property.

The State Corporation Commission heard public testimony involving Dominion’s proposed Morrisville-Wishing Star project.

Dominion describes the project as a major grid upgrade spanning Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun counties. The proposal includes a new 500-kilovolt transmission line along or near 36.5 miles of existing right of way, a new 230-kV line in Fauquier County and an expansion of the Morrisville Substation.

Laura TeKrony, the Loudoun County supervisor representing the Little River District, testified in her individual capacity and questioned whether projected electricity demand still supports the project.

“Data center demand, not general load growth, is the driver behind Morrisville to Wishing Star,” TeKrony said.

She said Dominion previously told the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors that data centers account for about 90% of load growth in Northern Virginia.

TeKrony said Dominion’s load forecasts should be verified before approval, citing data-center projects that have been withdrawn, denied or paused. She also argued project costs should be allocated to data centers because the project is driven by data centers.

A commission staff attorney asked TeKrony whether the data centers she referenced had been prohibited. She said some projects remain in the development pipeline but are being paused or delayed.

Other witnesses focused on where Dominion proposes to place the transmission infrastructure.

Page Snyder told regulators her family owns about 180 acres along Pageland Lane across from Manassas National Battlefield Park. She asked the commission to require Dominion to make greater use of an existing transmission corridor before establishing another across private property.

“Moving the impact outside the park does not eliminate it,” Snyder said.“It transfers that impact from federal land to private land.”

Snyder’s written comments ask the commission to require Dominion to identify the engineering, safety, reliability or regulatory constraints preventing continued use, rebuilding or expansion of the existing roughly 250-foot-wide transmission corridor before considering a new corridor.

Patricia Snyder Leone, another member of the family, told regulators a second corridor could affect the property’s frontage, views, future use and value.

“Do not make private property the path of least resistance,” Leone said.

Nearby residents do not agree on which route should be used.

Heritage Hunt resident Kevin Coyle told regulators he supports Dominion’s recommended route but opposes a western alternative that would bring the transmission line closer to his community. Other Heritage Hunt residents have filed comments citing concerns about property values and proximity to homes while supporting Dominion’s recommended route near Pageland Lane.

The commission did not decide the project Wednesday. The proceeding was adjourned until Nov. 16.