Bill > HB1491

This bill requires the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to consider health, safety, and environmental protection when approving the construction of electrical transmission lines of 138 kilovolts (kV) or more, ensuring that the chosen route minimizes adverse impacts to the greatest extent practicable. Specifically, the SCC must determine that the chosen corridor or route for such lines will avoid negative effects on people's health and safety and provide the highest possible level of environmental protection. The bill prohibits the SCC from approving the construction of these lines if any part of the line would be within 500 feet of a school, residential property, daycare, park, playground, recreational area, or place of worship, unless there's no other feasible alternative. Additionally, approval is denied if the line's construction would significantly conflict with local plans for open space, environmental protection, or residential land use. For new overhead transmission lines of 500 kV or more built by a "Phase II Utility" (a term defined in the bill related to energy generation and transmission), the SCC will prioritize routes where the center of the corridor is further than 150 feet from dwelling houses, schools, daycares, or places of worship, unless no practical alternative exists.

Business and Industry

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1491