Get Alerts Transmission Line What's Happening Data Center Votes The Issue Get Involved Spotlight

Protect Orange County's Rural Character

Data centers and a massive new 765kV transmission line threaten our community. Stay informed, see how your officials voted, and make your voice heard.

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⚡ New Threat Alert

765kV Transmission Line Proposed Through Orange County

Valley Link — a joint venture of Dominion Energy, Transource, and FirstEnergy — is proposing a massive 765-kilovolt electric transmission line spanning 115 miles from Campbell County to Culpeper County, cutting directly through the southern part of Orange County. Every landowner within a mile of the proposed routes should receive a letter via mail.

Why this matters beyond property values: A 765kV transmission corridor through southern Orange County creates a ready-made power backbone — making it far easier to justify future industrial development, including data centers at sites like Wilderness Crossing. Once the infrastructure is in the ground, the argument becomes "the power is already there." Residents should understand this project doesn't exist in isolation from the broader push for data center development in our community.

📍 Orange County Open House: Monday, March 9
5:30–7:30 PM • Lafayette Station • 26322 Constitution Hwy, Rhoadesville, VA 22542
Joshua Falls to Yeat 765kV Transmission Line proposed route map showing two corridors through Orange County, Virginia
Proposed Route Corridors — Orange and blue lines show two potential routes; dashed lines are route variations. Only one route will be chosen. The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has final approval authority. View project website →

What You Need to Know

⚡ 765kV line — One of the highest-voltage transmission lines in the country. Structures will be 135–160 feet tall. ⚠ WHO/IARC: ELF fields linked to childhood leukemia →
📏 ~115 miles — From Joshua Falls (Campbell County) to Yeat substation (Culpeper County), passing through Orange County's southern corridor toward Lake of the Woods.
🗺️ Two proposed routes — Orange and blue corridors are being studied with possible variations. Community feedback will inform the final route before SCC filing.
🏛️ SCC decides — The State Corporation Commission has final authority on approval and route selection, not the county.
🏗️ Timeline — SCC filing expected Q3 2026. Construction could begin Q4 2028 with completion by mid-2029.
🤝 Joint venture — Valley Link is Transource, Dominion Energy, and FirstEnergy Transmission working together.
📉 Property values at risk — Homes and farmland along the proposed corridors face significant devaluation. High-voltage transmission lines within view of a property are consistently associated with reduced property values.
🔗 The data center connection — A 765kV corridor through Orange County creates exactly the kind of high-capacity power infrastructure that makes future data center siting arguments easier. Once the line is in the ground, "the power is already there" becomes the justification for industrial development at sites like Wilderness Crossing. These issues are not separate — they are connected.

Community Open Houses — All Counties

Valley Link is holding open houses in every affected county. Attend the one nearest you — or attend multiple. Can't make it in person? Virtual meetings are also available.

Culpeper County
Thu, March 5 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Brandy Station Fire Dept
20057 Fleetwood Heights Rd
🔴 Orange County
Mon, March 9 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Lafayette Station
26322 Constitution Hwy, Rhoadesville
Spotsylvania County
Mon, March 9 • 6:00–8:00 PM
Ni River Middle School
11632 Catharpin Rd
Appomattox County
Tue, March 10 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Appomattox Community Center
220 Community Ln
Fluvanna County
Tue, March 10 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Fluvanna Community Center
5725 James Madison Hwy
Louisa County
Thu, March 12 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Betty J. Queen Center
522 Industrial Dr, Louisa
Campbell County
Mon, March 23 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
300 Lucado Pl
Goochland County
Mon, March 23 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Central High Cultural Complex
2748 Dogtown Rd
Buckingham County
Tue, March 24 • 11 AM–1 PM & 5:30–7:30 PM
Buckingham Community Center
16268 N James Madison Hwy

Documents & Resources

Key documents related to the Joshua Falls–Yeat 765kV transmission line project:

📄 Landowner Outreach Letter 📄 Landowner Letter (Español) 🌐 Valley Link Project Website 🔭 3D Interactive Route Viewer

Contact the project team: [email protected] • (855) 617-6107 • www.vltransmission.com

Upcoming Meetings

Key meetings where your voice matters. Show up, speak up.

⚡ Transmission Line

Valley Link Open House — Orange County

Monday, March 9, 2026
5:30–7:30 PM
Lafayette Station
26322 Constitution Hwy, Rhoadesville, VA 22542
Valley Link will present proposed 765kV transmission line routes through Orange County. Attend to learn about the project and provide feedback on routing options.
Orange County

Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Orange County Public Safety Building, Board Meeting Room
11282 Government Center Drive, Orange, VA 22960
Board of Supervisors regular meeting — data center zoning and related issues may be on the agenda. Contact: (540) 672-3313.
Town of Orange

Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Monday, February 23, 2026
6:00–7:30 PM
235 Warren Street
Orange, VA 22960
Planning Commission regular meeting — attend to stay informed on zoning and land use decisions affecting our community.

County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings are held at 11282 Government Center Drive, Orange. Check orangecountyva.gov for full meeting schedules.

How They Voted on Data Centers

See exactly how your elected officials voted on key data center decisions affecting Orange County.

J. Jason Capelle

J. Jason Capelle

District 1 • Vice Chairman
(540) 227-4589
Technology District (Dec 2025) N/A
SUP Amendment (Jan 2026) Yes
Took office Jan 2026. R. Mark Johnson voted Yes on T-District.
Ed M. Van Hoven

Ed M. Van Hoven

District 2 • Chairman
(540) 717-2194
Technology District (Dec 2025) Yes
SUP Amendment (Jan 2026) Yes
Keith F. Marshall

Keith F. Marshall

District 3
(540) 604-7039
Technology District (Dec 2025) Yes
SUP Amendment (Jan 2026) Yes
Crystal D. Hale

Crystal D. Hale

District 4
(540) 718-0903
Technology District (Dec 2025) Yes
SUP Amendment (Jan 2026) Yes
J. Bryan Nicol

J. Bryan Nicol

District 5
(303) 475-6243
Technology District (Dec 2025) Yes
SUP Amendment (Jan 2026) Yes
Voted Yes Voted No Abstained / Pending

The Issue: Data Centers in Orange County

Orange County has spent decades protecting our rural character. Data centers—massive industrial facilities that store digital data—threaten that legacy with enormous water demands, 24/7 noise, heavy truck traffic, and sprawling power infrastructure.

8M+
Gallons/day water
24/7
Noise & light
1000s
Monthly truck trips
50+
Acres per site

What We're Fighting For

  • Require Special Use Permits — No more by-right approval (in progress!)
  • Maximum acreage cap — County-wide limit on total data center land
  • Ratepayer protection — Data centers pay 100% of grid upgrades
  • Cumulative impact study — Know total impact before approvals
  • Designated zones — Map specific areas, not floating zones
  • Transmission line rules — 765kV line now proposed through Orange County. Fight eminent domain land grabs. See details →
  • Environmental standards — Wastewater, e-waste, setbacks
  • Performance bonds — Financial security for cleanup

Get Involved

Your voice matters. Here's how you can help protect Orange County.

📧

Sign Up for Alerts

Get text notifications about upcoming meetings and votes.

📢

Attend Meetings

Show up to Board and Planning Commission meetings. Public comments are recorded.

🗣️

Speak During Public Comment

You have 3 minutes to share your concerns. We can help you prepare.

📞

Contact Your Supervisor

Call or email your district representative. They work for you.

📄

Public Documents

Key records obtained through FOIA and public meetings:

📎 Amazon NDAs (2022) 📎 Technology District Ordinance
💬

Join the Facebook Group

Connect with other residents, share news, and coordinate efforts.
Monthly Deep Dive

Wilderness Crossing: The Facts

What every Orange County resident needs to know.

Investigation:
Wilderness Crossing
📍 Orange County, Virginia

Wilderness Crossing: What's Really Happening

📅 January 2026 ⏱️ 10 min read

The largest rezoning in Orange County history. Secret NDAs with Amazon. Contaminated land from abandoned gold mines. A lawsuit challenging it all. Here are the facts, the names, and what happens next.

10
Officials Signed NDAs
4-1
Vote to Approve
2,600
Acres Rezoned
Read Full Investigation

Understanding the Impact

Reported Development Activity

What we're hearing from public records and community members

Map of Orange County, Virginia
Wilderness Crossings
Locust Grove Area
Somerset Area
Public Records
Community Tips

Information shown is based on public records and community observations. Have an update or correction? Let us know.

Proposed 765kV Transmission Line

Joshua Falls–Yeat project: two proposed route corridors through Orange County

Joshua Falls to Yeat 765kV Transmission Line proposed route map showing two corridors through Orange County
Route Corridor 1
Route Corridor 2
Route Variation
△ Proposed / Expanded Substation

Project: Joshua Falls–Yeat 765kV Electric Transmission Line • Developer: Valley Link (Dominion Energy, Transource, FirstEnergy) • Length: ~115 miles • Structures: 135–160 ft tall

Two preliminary route corridors are under study. Only one will be selected. Dashed lines represent potential variations within or between the corridors. The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has final authority on route approval — not the county.

Source: Valley Link / ERM, Feb 2026. View full project details →