PROTECT CULPEPER

Block Valley Link & The Proposed Yeat Substation

What Every Culpeper Resident Should Know

 

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?

 

Valley Link is proposing a new 115-mile, 765-kilovolt transmission line connecting Campbell County to a new 88 Acre Yeat substation in Richardville, Culpeper County. The project would be one of the largest transmission projects ever built in Virginia.  

The proposed line would use steel transmission structures approximately 135–160 feet tall and require a new greenfield corridor cleared approximately 200 feet wide across private and rural lands.  The project is being developed by Valley Link, a partnership involving Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, and Transource Energy.  

 

WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS PROJECT?

 

The proposed Yeat Substation is not being built to provide electricity to Culpeper homes or to solve a local power shortage. According to project materials, the Valley Link project is intended to address regional transmission needs identified through the PJM planning process.

Residents believe the project is being driven primarily by growing electricity demand in Northern Virginia and are asking why Culpeper’s farms, forests, homes, and communities should bear the burden of infrastructure intended to serve regional growth. Residents are also concerned that the Yeat Substation could position Culpeper for future transmission expansion and additional industrial-scale electrical infrastructure.

 

WHY ARE CULPEPER RESIDENTS CONCERNED?

 

PROPERTY RIGHTS

Transmission corridors often require permanent utility easements across private property. Virginia law also allows utilities to pursue eminent domain under certain circumstances.  

 

FARMS, FORESTS & RURAL CHARACTER

Residents are concerned about the permanent loss of agricultural land, forest fragmentation, scenic views, wildlife habitat, and the rural character that makes Culpeper a desirable place to live.  

 

FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE

Residents believe the Yeat substation will become a major transmission hub that enables additional electrical infrastructure in the future. The full long-term buildout has not been disclosed and Dominion is purchasing over 400 acres at this site which may be used for additional infrastructure to meet future demand. This remains a significant concern within the community.

 

QUALITY OF LIFE

Residents have raised concerns about visual impacts, property values, environmental effects, well water contamination, noise, and the long-term transformation of rural communities into utility corridors.  

 

WHAT HAS CULPEPER COUNTY SAID?

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On April 7, 2026, the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors voted 6–1 to formally oppose the proposed Valley Link transmission line and Yeat substation.

 

WHO MAKES THE FINAL DECISION?

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The Valley Link project is not approved by Culpeper County.  The final decision will be made by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) after reviewing the application, public comments, and testimony from affected communities.  While the transmission lines are determined by the SCC, Culpeper County can block the conditional use permits of the Yeat site.

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GET THE FACTS

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For maps, project updates, research, public meeting information, and resources for affected residents:

Block Valley Link & Save Rural Virginia

 

OUR MESSAGE

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Reliable electricity matters. Property rights matter. Protecting Culpeper’s farms, forests, communities, and quality of life matters.

 

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

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• Private property rights

• Farms and agricultural land

• Forests and wildlife habitat

• Well water resources

• Public safety and emergency response

• Rural character and quality of life

• The future direction of growth in Culpeper County

The question is simple:

Should Culpeper sacrifice its land, communities, and way of life for infrastructure that is not being built to meet Culpeper’s needs?

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

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Contact your state and local representatives and tell them YEAT and Valley Link do not belong in Culpeper or our rural landscape!

 

Tell your Board of Supervisors to remain strong in opposition to the Yeat Substation and Valley Link project.

Protect Culpeper. Protect Property Rights. Protect Rural Virginia.

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Spread community awareness to combat the Valley Link disinformation and pressure campaign from front groups like Power for Tomorrow occurring through TV ads, mailers and internet advertisements that claim this project is to "Keep the Lights on" for "Virginia families, homes and hospitals".