When Growing Energy Demand And Land Conservation Collide

Federally-supported utility easements for new energy infrastructure would collide with the existing requirements and public benefit intentions of conservation easements.

"Dominion, which serves most of Northern Virginia, says a new line is needed to satisfy the region's enormous appetite for power...The increased pressure on the system is caused by the addition of thousands of new homes each year in the region and the proliferation of electricity-hungry high-tech companies that gravitate to the area. The region being considered for the Dominion line includes portions of Virginia's Frederick County as well as Warren, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun, regions where landowners and conservationists have spent millions of dollars to keep development at bay. Of prime concern to conservation groups is that much of the area is protected through easements, through which landowners donate or sell the development rights. The easements are supposed to last forever, and some conservationists worry about the precedent that may be set if power companies are able to erect transmission lines despite such growth-control measures."