Dominion Energy Seeks Judicial Review of $100 Million Substation Plan

Dominion Energy filed a lawsuit against Prince William County on Monday to overturn a local veto of a major substation upgrade. The legal action challenges the county's recent decision to oppose the plan to overhaul the existing Vint Hill substation. The utility contends that the project is necessary to maintain grid reliability across the region. Dominion argues that the Board of Supervisors' rejection warrants additional legal review.

The Vint Hill substation sits in a part of the county where energy demand has been rising. Dominion Energy describes the proposed changes as a critical step to prevent potential outages. The company states that the current infrastructure is reaching the limits of its capacity. The lawsuit seeks a ruling that allows the project to move forward despite the local government's objection.

Prince William County supervisors voted to oppose the plan earlier this year. They cited concerns about the scale of the construction and its impact on the surrounding community. The board's decision was based on a detailed review of the utility's proposal. Dominion now believes a court is the appropriate forum to resolve the disagreement between the private utility and the local government.

This legal fight adds to a growing list of disputes between energy providers and local jurisdictions in Virginia. Other utilities have faced similar resistance when proposing large-scale grid improvements. The outcome of this case could influence how future substation projects are handled in the Commonwealth. Local officials in Prince William County have said they will defend their vote in court.

The lawsuit was filed in state circuit court. Dominion Energy did not provide a specific timeline for when the case would be heard. The company expects the process to take several months. In the meantime, the substation will continue to operate under its current configuration. No work on the proposed overhaul has begun since the county's opposition was formally recorded.

Residents near the Vint Hill site have expressed mixed views on the project. Some support the upgrade as a way to ensure steady power supply. Others remain concerned about noise and visual impacts from the construction. Dominion Energy has stated that it will continue to engage with the community while the legal process unfolds. The utility maintains that the project remains on schedule pending the court's decision.