Regional Transmission Projects
Understanding
Electric Transmission Projects
Electric transmission projects are planned to help ensure the regional electric grid can reliably deliver power as the grid ages, generation resources change and electricity needs continue to grow.
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) is a local electric distribution cooperative. While some proposed high-voltage transmission projects may cross portions of REC’s service territory, REC is generally not responsible for planning, selecting or constructing this high-voltage transmission infrastructure.
REC does own, operate and maintain about 150 miles of 115 kV transmission lines out of its total 18,000 miles of infrastructure. These are operated as part of our local grid and are not considered part of the bulk electric system.
Why are new high-voltage transmission projects being proposed?
Regional transmission planning is conducted by PJM Interconnection, the organization responsible for maintaining the reliability of the electric grid for 67 million people across a 13-state region and the District of Columbia.
PJM annually evaluates current and future electric demand, generation resources and system reliability needs, looking out over a 15- to 20-year timeframe. When additional transmission is determined to be necessary, projects are identified to strengthen the regional grid and support future electricity needs.
Virginia is experiencing significant growth in electricity demand. At the same time, new electric generation has not kept pace with increasing demand and the retirement of some existing power plants. This is in part influenced by Virginia policy. Much of the needed generation is currently being built in other states, like Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
As a result, the Commonwealth has become more dependent on transmission infrastructure to move electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed.
REC’s role
REC is not a direct participant in the design, evaluation or approval of regional transmission projects.
As a distribution cooperative, REC delivers electricity to homes and businesses over its local distribution system. As REC sees growth – whether residential, small business or large-scale economic development projects – in its service territory, the Cooperative engages with transmission-owning utilities to help inform their planning process.
High-voltage transmission projects are part of the larger regional electric grid and are evaluated and approved through separate regulatory and planning processes than the processes REC uses for distribution grid planning.
REC recognizes the importance of maintaining a reliable electric grid while also supporting a thoughtful, transparent review of proposed transmission investments.
We support the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s careful scrutiny of transmission projects and how the costs of such projects are recovered, including consideration of approaches that help ensure that if particular customers are creating the need for significant new transmission investments, they pay an appropriate share of those costs rather than spreading those costs across all customers.
How a Transmission Project Happens
Electric Demand Grows
PJM Identifies a Need
Utility Proposes a Project
SCC Reviews Application & Public Comments
Project is Approved, Modified or Denied
Frequently Asked Questions
Does REC decide where high-voltage transmission lines are built?
No. Regional transmission needs are evaluated through PJM – the organization responsible for maintaining the reliability of the electric grid for 67 million people across a 13-state region and the District of Columbia – and proposed projects, including the specific locations for those projects, are reviewed through state regulatory processes. REC is not responsible for selecting routes or approving these types of projects.
Why are more transmission projects being proposed?
Electricity demand is increasing across Virginia and the broader PJM region. Additional transmission infrastructure is likely to be needed to maintain reliability and deliver electricity where it is needed.
Will these new high-voltage transmission lines connect directly to REC’s distribution system?
It depends on the project. Multiple transmission projects have been proposed or are under review in portions of REC’s service territory and elsewhere across Virginia as the regional electric grid continues to evolve. Some transmission lines cross REC’s service territory without being interconnected to REC’s local distribution system.
Who approves transmission projects in Virginia?
Most major transmission projects require review and approval by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), which evaluates applications through a public process that includes opportunities for public input.
Where can I learn more?
For information about a specific project, please visit the project or transmission-owning utility’s website.
You can also view transmission line projects currently under review or recently approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission on its Transmission Line Projects webpage and through the SCC’s public docket system.
Learn More
Virginia SCC Transmission Line Projects
The SCC page maintains a list of major transmission projects statewide by region, including projects located within or near REC’s service territory.
Virginia SCC Transmission Line Projects