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Virginia dems slam approval of Golden–Mars power line
Lawmakers say the project will route high-voltage lines through residential areas, raising concerns over health, property values and safety.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 11, Apr 2026
- 14:43 EDT
- 21
(L-R) JJ Singh/ Suhas Subramanyam/ Kannan Srinivasan / File Photo
Virginia Democrats have criticized a state regulatory decision approving overhead transmission lines for the Golden–Mars transmission project, warning of community impacts and renewing calls for undergrounding power infrastructure.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) said he was disappointed with the decision, noting that the approved route would place lines close to homes and schools.
Also Read: Srinivasan, Singh bills on underground power lines advance in Virginia
“I am disappointed by the State Corporation Commission’s decision to allow a Golden to Mars overhead transmission line route to move forward. Route 4 runs very close to homes and schools… Overhead transmission lines like this create health, environmental, safety, and even national security issues.”
Subramanyam said he would continue pushing for undergrounding and reiterated that “data centers should pay for their own energy infrastructure.” His office noted that the congressman had earlier written to SCC commissioners urging them to consider community concerns and hosted a public meeting on data centres and transmission lines in December.
Delegate JJ Singh, who represents parts of Loudoun County, said the ruling “goes against the will of our residents and the will of the General Assembly,” adding:
“I’m reviewing the ruling in more detail but my initial reaction is that this decision goes against the will of our residents and the will of the General Assembly, both of which stood together and said that residents should not be punished by the unchecked sprawl of data centers. Two things can be true at once: I respect and value the SCC, while I am also bitterly disappointed by the result. I am engaging with community members to determine our next step in this fight.”
My statement regarding the State Corporation Commissions approval of overhead transmission lines through Loudoun Valley Estates: (1/3)
— Delegate JJ Singh (@SinghforVA) April 10, 2026
State Senator Kannan Srinivasan also criticized the decision, saying, “While I am still reviewing the Commission's order in full, I am disappointed in the ruling for the Golden to Mars transmission line. From day one, I have advocated for undergrounding for the benefit of the community.”
“I remain committed to working with residents, local leaders, and all stakeholders to ensure that the community's interests are always our number one priority as we determine a path forward,” he added.
See below for my statement on Golden-Mars transmission project pic.twitter.com/UkRpfpWjyg
— Senator Kannan Srinivasan (@Kannanforva) April 10, 2026
In August 2025, Singh and Srinivasan, along with Marty Martinez, jointly wrote to the SCC urging it to reconsider the project’s alignment. The lawmakers said the proposed route would disproportionately affect residents by routing high-voltage lines through residential areas along Loudoun County Parkway and nearby neighbourhoods.
They raised concerns about potential impacts on health, property values, noise and the environment, and called for transparent, data-driven responses to community concerns.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) approved the above-ground route for the Golden–Mars Transmission Project, a major grid expansion intended to meet rising electricity demand driven by data center growth in Northern Virginia.
The Golden–Mars project is one of several high-voltage projects proposed to meet growing electricity demand across eastern Loudoun County. The project includes new 500/230-kV infrastructure linking key substations in the region.
In its order, the SCC rejected calls to require underground construction, citing engineering constraints, cost and statutory standards. The commission said the overhead route was needed to ensure grid reliability and meet projected demand.
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