See submitted remarks.

See attached.

Comments Document

See attachment.

I write in opposition to HB398 (the SAVE Act). A federal district court in Louisiana recently held that a law with the same provisions contained in HB398 violate the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and First Amendment (decision attached for your review). HB398 will incur significant litigation risk and, if passed, will be detrimental to the interests of veterans. The SAVE Act is one of several legislative initiatives across state legislatures lobbied for by the unaccredited VA claims consultant industry (i.e. “claim sharks”). Federal law requires that any individual seeking to assist veterans with preparing benefits claims must receive “accreditation” from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Because this federal prohibition does not carry a criminal penalty, claim sharks have begun to operate without accreditation. The SAVE Act attempts to normalize this practice by authorizing unaccredited claim sharks practice under state law. However, as mentioned above and discussed below, virtually identical legislation in Louisiana has been invalidated by a federal court. (Louisiana’s legislation is known as the PLUS Act.) In the attached decision, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana held that the PLUS Act violated the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and First Amendment on the following grounds: Violation of the Supremacy Clause: “The Court thus finds that the [PLUS] Act, by placing significant restrictions on the services offered by [VA accredited attorneys and agents] and others similarly situated, sufficiently obstructs Congress’s intent that veterans have access to authorized, qualified private representatives to assist them in pursuing claims for VA benefits . . . The [PLUS] Act is preempted by its conflict with federal law.” (p. 21-2). Violation of the First Amendment: The Court held that the PLUS Act compels commercial speech by properly accredited claims agents and attorneys that could discourage veterans from employing their services. By doing so, “the [PLUS] Act violates Plaintiffs’ rights under the First Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional as applied to Plaintiffs.” (p. 17-18). Because the SAVE Act is virtually identical to the PLUS Act, there is a significant likelihood that the SAVE Act before you is unconstitutional and incurs litigation risk. The next question is whether that litigation risk is worth serving the purpose of the bill. The answer is no. Joint investigative reporting by NPR and War Horse News has shown that unaccredited claim sharks engage in unscrupulous practices to extract profit from disabled veterans. For example, one organization uses veterans' social security numbers to obtain their claim information without their knowledge to determine if they have received additional benefits and demand payment if so. As noted by Virginia’s Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, the best alternative to this legislation is to simply prohibit unaccredited claims practice. Several states, including Utah, Illinois, and New York have taken this approach. Delegate Cheryl Laufer’s HB1268 would have done so but was regrettably continued until 2027. In short, the SAVE Act is likely to be invalidated by a federal court and would ultimately expose disabled veterans to proven predatory actors. HB398 should be defeated.

Statement in Opposition to HB 398

My name is Donyale Hall. I am a U.S. Air Force Gulf War–era disabled veteran, a military mother, and a Delaware councilwoman. I strongly support HB 398. My father grew up in rural Floyd County, Virginia, joined the Air Force at 18, and served this country for 26 years, retiring as a master sergeant. After his service, he spent years trying to secure the VA disability benefits he earned. He never succeeded. He passed away while still fighting the system. That experience is not unique. The VA claims process is complex and unforgiving. A single mistake can lead to denial, and appeals can take years. Veterans know this. That is why many seek professional help to get their claims right the first time. HB 398 protects veterans’ right to choose who helps them. Professional benefits consultants often provide critical assistance, especially for disabled, rural, and elderly veterans who cannot navigate the system alone. Many of these professionals are veterans themselves, trained to guide others through a high-stakes process. Eliminating these options does not protect veterans. It leaves them with fewer resources, longer delays, and higher denial rates. Volunteers and VSOs do important work, but they are often overburdened and not accessible to every veteran who needs help. HB 398 takes the right approach. It preserves access, respects veteran autonomy, and allows accountability without punishing veterans who simply want help securing the benefits they earned. Virginia should not make the VA claims process harder for veterans. HB 398 makes it fairer. I respectfully urge your support.

Donyale Hall is a businesswoman, mother and a Gulf War Era Veteran of the United States Air Force. She moved to Dover in 1973, when her father was assigned to Dover Air Force Base. Donyale is a 1987 graduate of Caesar Rodney High School and has raised her own family here. Of her ten children, five are CR graduates. Three are graduates of the Early College High School at Delaware State University. The youngest two are currently middle schoolers. Two sons proudly carry on the family legacy of military service as members of the United States Air Force and Navy. As a child, Donyale had dreams of becoming an architect. The idea of designing and building things has always had great appeal to her. Although her education and career path took Donyale in an entirely different direction, her creative and problem-solving approach to life served her well, “building” in other meaningful ways.

I am writing to discuss HB 398 the claim sharks bill. Many politicians in public proudly proclaim how much they love veterans, and how they would do anything for our beloved veterans. Your job as legislators is to protect those who are unable to protect themselves and look out for the best interest's of your constituents. This is a time for you to prove that your words are truly actionable and not just words. Claim sharks like their compadres in the ocean, are predators. They prey on the weak and the vulnerable. Many veterans do not have the ability to understand and navigate the complex VA disability system. It is confusing and some cases contradictory. That is why the state of Virginia and national veterans organizations have accredited claims professional who have the ability and training to navigate this system for the veteran and do not charge a fee for their services. To allow claim sharks to feast on veterans who believe they have no choice to pay absurd sums and surrender hard earned relief for injuries received in war, are not only cowardly, but a stain on our state for allowing it to happen. If you truly care about veterans and are not just posturing for votes, you will ban claim sharks in Virginia and do your duty to protect those who need protecting. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. LTC(R) Mark P. Maggio SR Vice Commander, Dept of Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars.

I rise against HB 398. Passing this bill, will go against everything we represent as a Veteran Service Organization, who Look out for Veterans, and their Families. Virginia’s veterans have long relied on accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to assist them in navigating the complex landscape of VA claims and benefits. These organizations, staffed by trained, accredited representatives, provide their services at no cost to the veteran. Their mission is rooted in advocacy, accuracy, and protection of veterans’ rights. HB-398 in the Commonwealth has raised serious concerns among veteran advocates, service organizations, and community leaders. The bill in question opens the door for unaccredited, for‑profit companies, often referred to as claim sharks, to operate more freely in Virginia. These companies charge veterans substantial fees to access services that are otherwise free and federally protected. Unaccredited Actors Undermine Federal Protections. Federal law explicitly limits who may legally assist veterans with filing, preparing, or managing VA claims. Accreditation exists to ensure veterans receive qualified, ethical, and regulated representation. Unaccredited entities bypass these safeguards, creating a system where veterans may unknowingly entrust their benefits to individuals or companies without oversight, accountability, or standards of care. Veterans Could Lose $7,500–$20,000 in Earned Benefits. VSOs provide representation at no cost. Claim sharks, by contrast, typically charge a percentage of a veteran’s past‑due benefits, often amounting to $7,500 to $20,000, money that rightfully belongs to the veteran. These fees can cause severe financial strain, especially for veterans with disabilities or those on fixed incomes. Misrepresentation Risks Are High. VSOs undergo rigorous training and are held to strict federal standards. Where in contrast for‑profit entities: Are not accredited, are not recognized by the VA, often use misleading marketing and frequently provide inaccurate or incomplete claims guidance. Virginia is home to one of the largest concentrations of veterans in the country, including tens of thousands in the Hampton Roads region. Any legislation that eases access for unregulated companies poses a disproportionate risk to a population that already faces unique bureaucratic and health‑related challenges. Local VSOs fear that the bill inadvertently legitimizes companies that exploit veterans financially, provide substandard guidance, and erode the integrity of the accredited claims process. Veteran leaders have voiced concern that many service members may not realize they are paying for something they can receive, legally and correctly, for free. Virginia’s veterans deserve legislation that strengthens, not weakens, the systems in place to safeguard their benefits. Policymakers, veterans, and community organizations should work together to: promote accredited VSOs and educate veterans about free resources, combat deceptive practices by for‑profit claims companies, ensure state laws do not contradict federal veteran protections, and advocate for strict standards to prevent exploitation. Protecting veterans means ensuring they are not financially preyed upon while seeking the benefits they earned through service to our country. Thank you Troy Wagers Commander Dept. Of Virginia Dist 2

Chairman Wesley G. Marshall, Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. I am available as a resource on any questions. The VWC does not have a position on this Bill. It will not create any adverse administrative impact.

I am Commissioner Rapaport available remotely should there be any questions.

HB 930 and HB 636 are desperately needed and I fully support both these bills. They are long overdue.

As a constituent that moved to Virginia from the Midwest where the cost of living is much lower than in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania, disclosure of prior earning affected my starting wage compared with my peers. Having wages based on prior wages creates a significant difference in lifetime earnings throughout your career. This also affects earners moving in from areas where cost of living and wages are much higher through lost employment opportunities due to the supposition that the worker will not accept a lower wage or that they will leave. By offering a pay range for the position, each business can maintain their competitiveness while hiring workers that understand the compensation they will receive.

I have attached two fact sheets outlining the benefits that federal appliance standards have provided Virginia, as well as two federal fact sheets explaining the current threats to appliance efficiency standards in support of HB672.

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Invasives should be pulled or killed by herbicide and not be permitted to be sold in nurseries

Comments Document

Attached: 2 state fact sheets, 1 national fact sheet, and 1 list of impacted products

HB675 is vital. With our immigrant neighbors under such threat, it is unconscionable that some are able to exploit them further. This law fills an important gap in protecting labor rights and helps us all. And we know from Washington State that it works! Please vote yes for HB 675.

For Bill HB895 Mr Chairman and members of the committtee, I am Will Stewart, a degreed electro-mechanical engineer focused on energy with a additional degree in computer science with an emphasis on scientific computing 1. One thing missing from the legislation is language requiring an energy model balancing energy generation, storage, demand on an hourly basis, utilizing 10 or more years of solar and wind data. The model must utilize a freely available tool such as MIT's Macro. The model and all data inputs, configurations, and algorithms of every kind must be provided to SCC and organizations capable of evaluating the model and model outputs. The model and data inputs must be executed annually with updated data. See https://energy.mit.edu/research/macro/ for more information on Macro. 2. On a related matter, Storage capacity co-located with solar and/or wind allows for the steady transmission of power over transmission lines. If batteries are at other locations, especially distant ones such as data centers, there will be very high power (4 to 5 times the average demand) transmission requirements as the RPS approaches and passes the 75% clean energy level to transmit power from solar farms during their midday peak to distant consumers, creating an extremely expensive transmission upgrades above and beyond transmission upgrades for new data centers. The energy model noted in the first comment would confirm this affordability risk.

Comments by Sky Kincaid in Support of HB895 I'm writing to support the HB895 bill, which focuses energy storage, for several reasons: 1. This bill increases the minimum energy storage requirements for our electrical grid. Having energy storage makes the grid more reliable and flexible by making use of excess energy generated during the day. 2. Currently, utilities focus on expensive and polluting fossil fuel plants. This bill creates incentives for electric utilities to consider Virginian's needs. 3. PJM has done a bad job at adding renewable energy to the grid and this bill directs the Department of Energy to address PJM's shortcomings. I think this bill is very important for addressing our needs in Virginia.

Comments by Martin Erb in Support of HB895 HB895 establishes minimum energy storage requirements for Virginia’s electrical grid over the next 25 years. There are many good reasons to pass this bill into law. My support is rooted in the fact that ample efficient energy storage is a prerequisite for the many technologies being developed and deployed around the globe that enable lower energy costs by modernizing the load and provider switching functions using the existing energy transport grid (PJM’s responsibility) AND the sub-station and distribution networks (operated by Dominion and Appalachian Power) as well. This will reduce BOTH rate payers and energy producers’ OpEx AND CapEx. Dominion’s planning group has already begun running energy storage demonstration projects critical to: • Catch up to meet the VCEA milestones, • Leverage RGGI+, • Continue to meet projected peak load, AND • Prepare for a performance-based service future: Electricity as a Service.

Please refer to my attachment

Please support this bill. Battery storage goes hand in hand with renewable energy sources. Solar is safe, solar on agriculture land allows the land to also be grazed by sheep or used to grow hay or used to grow pollinator plants for commercial honey production or even low growing high value perennial crops like strawberries and low bush blueberries. Modern batteries are safe. This bill will give localities expertise to fall back on in terms of reliable standards for locating energy storage projects. Most localities have appropriate areas like industrial parks for these projects. Or on site with a solar project or electrical substations. Renewables are modern reliable technology. And battery projects are also modern reliable technology. Please support this bill to provide needed guidance to localities and clear up the misinformation about battery storage

I oppose any and all bills that would advance solar projects. Any solar project has significant potential consequences but those with battery storage are even more likely to cause serious issues. Battery fires are almost impossible to stop and control. Solar projects as a whole do long term significant damage to the land where they are located leaving the land sterile and unusable long after the 35 year life span of the project. Ground water ( well water) contamination is a very serious and real possibility.

BESS siting is a land use decision. Land use decisions should be made at the local not the state level. Local Boards of Supervisors are better equipped to decide where BESS is located in their County as they are familiar with the natural environment and the fire dangers and risk relative to the local environment when considering BESS projects. The projects should not be forced upon localities. They should be placed in areas that are not dangerous to people, timberland, and agriculture. In most cases locals believe that if they are approved BESS should be located in Industrial areas not agricultural.

HB 925 and HB 1481 are necessities to empower employees and protect their rights. Sincere thanks to Dels. Lopez and Keys-Gamarra for bringing these critical bills, particularly in today's environment.

HB 930 and HB 636 are desperately needed and I fully support both these bills. They are long overdue.

I oppose HB 1263/SB 378. I am a member of the Orange County School Board and have watched closely as other divisions have voted to adopt collective bargaining. In every case, it has created additional costs, much adversity, more staffing demands, and legal expenses that a rural county like mine cannot absorb. The financial burden would overwhelm us. We do not have the resources to employ extra administrative staff, negotiators and labor relations specialists, or attorneys to handle the workload that will be required. I have seen other divisions forced to divert resources away from classrooms and students in order to create and fund these extra positions and the demands of bargaining. Board members also report increased strain on the relationships between staff and leadership. Additionally, it reduces the authority that the Virginia Constitution vests in local school boards. This bill will directly impede my ability to respond to the needs of my own community, the constituents who elected me, and the students who are counting on me to keep their academic outcomes front and center. As an elected board member, I took an oath to provide proper governance for Orange County Public Schools. Mandated collective bargaining diminishes that responsibility and transfers power to negotiators and arbitrators who are not directly accountable to voters. Please do not take away our ability to prioritize fiscal responsibility in our own district. Respect the fact that local decisions, closest to the particular needs of our individual students, staff, and community, will deliver the best outcomes. Please vote no on HB 1263/SB 378.

Dear Delegate I am a member of the Prince William County School Board, and I write to express my strong opposition to SB378/HB1263. Prince William County is one of the few jurisdictions that chose to move forward with collective bargaining. and we have now been managing the consequences for more than three years. Under current law, jurisdictions may voluntarily assume the additional costs, staffing demands, work hours, consultants, and legal expenses associated with collective bargaining. They may also choose to yield a portion of their decision-making authority to a formal management-union negotiation structure. That is a local decision. Mandating collective bargaining statewide is an entirely different matter. It would require divisions, many far less resourced than those in Northern Virginia, to engage in a costly, time-consuming, and often adversarial process. It would also reduce the authority of local school boards to direct the educational systems they are constitutionally charged with supervising. The financial burden alone will be significant for many divisions that lack robust central office staff, in-house counsel, experienced negotiators, and labor relations specialists. They will be forced to create and fund positions they do not currently have, diverting scarce resources away from classrooms and students. If the money is not there, mandating bargaining will not create it. In Prince William County, we have spent millions of dollars administering and supporting the collective bargaining process. I have seen no measurable improvement in student achievement attributable to these expenditures. Instead, the process has increased tension between division leadership and staff, strained the workplace environment, and placed additional pressure on our budget. From a governance perspective, SB378/HB1263 is fundamentally short-sighted. It reduces flexibility, limits a board’s ability to respond to changing fiscal conditions, increases costs for taxpayers, and risks locking in work rules and compensation structures that may become unsustainable or misaligned with community needs. It also shifts significant decision-making authority away from elected school boards and local communities into closed-door negotiations governed by rigid processes. As an elected board member, I have the responsibility to oversee the division. Mandated collective bargaining diminishes that responsibility and transfers power to negotiators and arbitrators who are not directly accountable to voters. Before adopting collective bargaining, our division operated under a “Meet and Confer” model that allowed employees to raise concerns and advocate for fair treatment without binding bargaining requirements. That system functioned effectively. I cannot identify any advantage we have gained by replacing our previous "Meet and Confer" system with collective bargaining. At a time when Virginians are focused on improving schools while facing rising costs and economic uncertainty, policymakers should prioritize fiscal responsibility, efficient government, and respect for local decision-making. Each division should retain the choice to determine what structure best serves its students, educators, and taxpayers. For these reasons, I respectfully oppose SB378 and HB1263. Sincerely, Jennifer T. Wall School Board Member, Gainesville District Prince William County Public Schools

OPPOSED to this bill!!!

Chairman, members of the subcommittee, my name is Jake Mikesell. I am the class president of the VCU School of Medicine Class of 2026, proud member of House district 78 (Carr) and senate district 14 (bagby), and a face of the next generation of emergency medicine physicians. I am here today in strong support of House Bill 1263 because the future of Virginia’s healthcare workforce depends on the protections this bill provides. Currently, Virginia exports more physicians than almost any other state. We train incredible talent at institutions like VCU, only to watch them leave for states that offer better labor protections and workplace standards. As a student looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, the financial and professional reality of residency is daunting. We need the Public Employee Relations Board and the bargaining rights in this bill to make Virginia a place where doctors don't just train, but stay. Residency is a unique form of labor. We are expected to learn to be attending physicians while simultaneously serving as the primary educators for the next generation of students. Yet, we are often given zero formal training on how to teach adult learners. Under the current system, we have no seat at the table to advocate for the resources and 'teaching-the-teacher' curriculum we need to ensure Virginia’s medical education remains world-class. We have seen the data from resident unions across the country. When residents have the power to bargain, burnout rates drop and patient safety improves. Unionized residents can negotiate for safer staffing ratios and fatigue-management protocols that directly prevent medical errors. By passing HB 1263, you aren't just helping doctors; you are protecting Virginia patients. If we want to stop the physician brain drain and ensure our hospitals are staffed by well-trained, focused, and protected physicians, we must allow them the right to bargain for their profession. I urge you to report HB 1263 so that Her excellency may sign it. Thank you, and I appreciate your commitment to the common wealth of Virginia.

The Virginia Police Benevolent Association (VAPBA) supports House Bill 1263 because it provides a structured and balanced framework that allows localities the option to implement collective bargaining while maintaining local control. Law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth continue to face significant recruitment and retention challenges, and providing officers with a professional voice in workplace conditions, safety concerns, and compensation helps improve morale, stability, and operational effectiveness. HB 1263 promotes collaborative labor-management relationships that strengthen public safety by supporting the officers who serve our communities. For these reasons, VAPBA supports HB 1263.

My name is Tim Gibson, and I am the President of the Virginia Conference of the American Association of University Professors. On behalf of our members who teach and conduct research in public universities and colleges across the Commonwealth, I want to express our strong and enthusiastic support for collective bargaining rights and HB 1263. I’m here with a simple message. Extending collective bargaining rights to public employees is the single most important step you can take to advance the teaching and research missions of Virginia’s public colleges and universities. With collective bargaining rights, Virginia’s professors will have a stronger voice to advocate for better learning conditions for our students and better working conditions for our most vulnerable instructors. Collective bargaining also means that professors can work collectively to protect the values at the heart of the university, including academic freedom, open and free inquiry, and freedom from external political pressure. You’ve all read the stories. An Oklahoma professor is fired because a student complained that earning an “F” on a substandard essay violated her religious rights. Professors in Texas are told that teaching Plato violates new restrictions on teaching about gender and sexuality. Whole programs in Florida shut down simply because they grapple honestly and accurately with histories of racism, sexism, and homophobia in America. And indeed, in the last year in Virginia, we saw politicized and highly ideological boards of visitors stepping far outside their appointed roles to impose their partisan ideologies on the governance and curriculum of public universities like George Mason and the University of Virginia. But with collective bargaining, professors can better protect one another – and our students – from such clear violations of the bedrock values of academic freedom and open inquiry. In short, with collective bargaining, professors can work together to ensure that Virginia’s universities stay on mission and focus our time and resources on what matters most: providing students with a world-class education and advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the public interest.

See attached letter

Faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, institutions of faculty governance, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good. I strongly support the bill as a means to provide hard working educational employees the dignity and quality of life all Americans deserve. It is through their tireless work that our universities operate and provide the next generation the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to succeed. For all of their hard work and determination, it is fair they be provided equal rights as those of other sectors.

I support collective bargaining, speaking on behalf of myself. Faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, institutions of faculty governance, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good.

Like many people at the university where I work, my job entails doing the work of 2-3 people, but I am paid far less than what is considered a living wage for even one person. I love the work I do, but its quality suffers immensely under this constellation of poor pay and difficult working conditions. In fact, I have had to turn down career-defining research and consulting opportunities, which would have meaningfully bolstered my university's reputation and prestige, because I simply do not have the resources to handle more than the bare minimum needed to keep my job and take care of myself—even though, on paper, I supposedly don't work full-time. I support the passage of HB1263 because it would give me and my colleagues much-needed power to advocate for ourselves and the students about whom we care deeply. If you wish to unleash the full power of VA public universities to be public goods for the Commonwealth, the country, and the world, then pass this bill and give a voice to the people who are the very source of that power.

As Adjunct Faculty, holding a terminal degree in my field, my labor is exploited at a Virginia university. I have no health coverage, no dental coverage, no job security. With Collective Bargaining, I have the opportunity to, at minimum, have my basic needs fulfilled. It is difficult to work for an employer and provide their clients - students - with expertise and skill building that they need in their careers while knowing that I may not be able to purchase groceries for my family; while knowing that the students whom are investing in their careers will potentially land in the Virginia workforce under the same precarious job environment. I need Collective Bargaining. Future workers need Collective Bargaining.

The fundamental Constitutional rights of academic freedom and free speech on campus are under attack and must be defended. Faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom. Collective bargaining can ensure that faculty are involved in governance of our higher education institutions, fair procedures for resolving grievances are followed, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals is guaranteed, and higher education as a public good is assured. To defend these basic rights in Virginia, please support HB1263.

As a faculty member and advocate for better working conditions for all workers serving higher education institutions, I am writing in support of HB1263. We need this bill! Daily, I work with members of my community who face labor challenges, including stagnant wages, contracts that are offered, signed, and then withdrawn days before classes start, and administrators who are not upholding contracts and their commitments to workers. Faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, institutions of faculty governance, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good. Thank you for your work to advance worker rights in higher education!

Speaking for myself and not my institution:As a faculty member at a Virginia urban public university, I can see how faculty collective bargaining would help protect faculty members' academic freedom and institutions of faculty governance. It would insure fair and consistent (that is, the same across all institutions) procedures for resolving grievances, as well as the economic well-being of ALL faculty and other academic professionals who are Virginia state employees. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it would promote the advancement of higher education as a public good: working together and with the legislature we faculty can help restore public faith in the role played by our institution in sustaining this Commonwealth as a premier place to live and work. But we can only do this if our institutions authentically and transparently enfranchise and work with us as full partners.

As an instructor for three decades at Virginia public colleges and universities, first as an adjunct and for the past 25 years as a full-time non-tenure-track faculty member (commenting here in my capacity as an individual citizen), I strongly support collective bargaining rights for faculty. As faculty striving to better our working conditions often point out, student learning conditions are shaped in large part by faculty working conditions. This is especially true at a time when the majority of faculty, especially faculty teaching introductory courses, are contingent: part-time and/or non tenure track. Our precarious employment status can make it difficult to advocate not only for ourselves, but also for our students. Collective bargaining would strengthen our ongoing effort to make sure that appropriate resources are invested in our institutions’ teaching mission. As a church member who often takes communion to elderly and disabled church members unable to travel to services, I also strongly support collective bargaining for individual home care providers. These dedicated workers provide essential services to some of our most vulnerable citizens, and they, too, need the ability to advocate for working conditions that will allow them to do their work as well as possible.

Collective bargaining by public employees strengthens not only the workforce but also the quality of public services. Collective bargaining gives essential workers such as teachers, firefighters, nurses, and other public servants a fair, structured way to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions, leading to more stable and professional workplaces. When employees have a meaningful voice, not only morale improves and turnover declines but also public institutions have a better ability to retain experienced workers who understand the needs of their communities. Hence, collective bargaining strengthens also public agencies as employers. Rather than reducing efficiency, collective bargaining promotes transparency and cooperation, and as a result helps public agencies attract skilled professionals, and deliver reliable, high-quality services to the public. Many states already recognize collective bargaining rights for public employees and have shown that these protections can coexist with effective government. States such as California, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Hawaii grant broad collective bargaining rights to public-sector workers, including teachers, nurses, and other state and local employees. These examples demonstrate that collective bargaining is a well-established practice across the country and can support stable public workforces while maintaining high-quality public services.

I currently work as a public school superintendent in Virginia after having previously served in the same role in West Virginia, where collective bargaining has been in place in some way, shape or form for decades. There are a number of reasons why public schools in Virginia perform significantly higher than those in West Virginia but one of the primary ones is that during the years when money wasn't available for the bargaining process , the schools there negotiated away administrative oversight and as a result created an entire system that was too rigid to allow for any meaningful change even when systems were failing on a massive scale. I realize that we have school divisions in Virginia that have already adopted collective bargaining policies and negotiated contracts and believe they are working well. However, the school funding model in Virginia already creates tense relationships between elected School Boards and Boards of Supervisors/City Councils. Forcing small rural school divisions, that are already strapped for cash, to have to engage with their local funding body in the collective bargaining process is not going to do anything to help improve the levels of trust and collegiality in our communities. Allowing collective bargaining to remain at the discretion of the locally elected boards would definley help those of us who work each day to keep public education politically neutral and make schooling a positive experience for our students and their families. Thank you.

Adjunct faculty at George Mason University earn as little as $3,477 for teaching a 3-credit course. Teaching such a course demands somewhere between 150 and 200 hours of labor, meaning that some college faculty are being paid less than $20 per hour. Across the Potomac, unionized adjuncts at George Washington University have negotiated a minimum of $4,509, nearly 30 percent more than their counterparts at Mason. (GW Hatchet, August 18, 2025) Collective bargaining could allow adjunct faculty at Mason and other public universities in Virginia to achieve parity with their colleagues at peer institutions and earn something closer to the amount due to them for educating the students of the Commonwealth.

As a graduate student and worker at a Virginia university, I support HB1263 as I believe that collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, institutions of faculty governance, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good.

Please support Delegate Kathy Tran's public sector collective bargaining bill (HB 1263) https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1263. I know that faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, protection of the curriculum, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good. Collective bargaining is a known and effective way to protect academic freedom which is essential to democracy. Faculty in Virginia are afraid to teach students the truth, facts, and how to think for themselves because they know bad faith actors are looking for ways to attack and try to get us fired for simply helping students understand data and ask critical questions. Also, we lose faculty to states that do have collective bargaining because scholars know their teaching and innovative scholarship will be protected. That leads to an expertise drain on Virginia.

Please support Delegate Kathy Tran's public sector collective bargaining bill (HB 1263) https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1263. As an academic advisor in Virginia serving our students, I know that faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, protection of the curriculum, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good. Collective bargaining is a known and effective way to protect academic freedom which is essential to democracy. My faculty colleagues are afraid to teach students the truth, facts, and how to think for themselves because they know bad faith actors are looking for ways to attack and try to get us fired for simply helping students understand data and ask critical questions. Also, we lose faculty to states that do have collective bargaining because scholars know their teaching and innovative scholarship will be protected. That leads to an expertise drain on Virginia.

Please support Delegate Kathy Tran's public sector collective bargaining bill (HB 1263) https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1263. As a faculty member in Virginia serving our students, I know that faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, protection of the curriculum, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good. Collective bargaining is a known and effective way to protect academic freedom which is essential to democracy. My faculty colleagues are afraid to teach students the truth, facts, and how to think for themselves because they know bad faith actors are looking for ways to attack and try to get us fired for simply helping students understand data and ask critical questions. Also, we lose faculty to states that do have collective bargaining because scholars know their teaching and innovative scholarship will be protected. That leads to an expertise drain on Virginia.

To: Members of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce Dear Members of the Committee, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1263, legislation that would repeal the prohibition on collective bargaining for public employees and establish the Public Employee Relations Board. As an educator and higher-education leader committed to the long-term success of Virginia’s public institutions, I believe this bill represents a critical investment in student success and the strength of higher education as a public good. At the core of a high-quality educational system is a stable, supported, and professionally respected workforce. HB 1263 provides a clear and balanced framework that advances this goal while strengthening outcomes for students and the Commonwealth as a whole. Student Success: When faculty and staff are supported by fair procedures and workplace stability, they are better positioned to focus fully on teaching, mentoring, and student engagement. This stability directly contributes to consistent instruction, stronger academic support, and improved learning environments. Academic Freedom and Shared Governance: Collective bargaining plays a vital role in safeguarding academic freedom and reinforcing shared governance. It ensures educators can teach, research, and participate in institutional decision-making without fear of arbitrary retaliation, while giving those closest to the classroom a protected voice in shaping academic policy. Workforce Stability and Retention: Virginia’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff depends on offering competitive, transparent, and fair working conditions. By allowing the negotiation of wages, hours, and terms of employment, HB 1263 helps prevent workforce attrition and strengthens institutional continuity. Commitment to the Public Good: Public colleges and universities are foundational to Virginia’s economic vitality and civic life. Protecting the rights of those who serve within these institutions is not merely a matter of labor, it is a commitment to the quality, integrity, and sustainability of public services for all Virginians. Strong faculty and staff protections are inseparable from the value of the degrees our students earn. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to support HB 1263 and help ensure that Virginia’s public institutions remain fair, effective, and focused on educational excellence. Sincerely, Dirk Burruss Professor, Reynolds Community College

Faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, institutions of faculty governance, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good.

Faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, institutions of faculty governance, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good.

Collective bargaining for our state university employees is a means to ensure Virginia continues to be a great place to work, protects academic freedom, strengthens institutions of faculty governance, helps to establish fair procedures for resolving grievances, and ensures the economic well-being of the staff and faculty at the Commonwealth's institutions of higher education.

Faculty collective bargaining is a means to protect academic freedom, institutions of faculty governance, fair procedures for resolving grievances, the economic well-being of faculty and other academic professionals, and the advancement of higher education as a public good. I support this bill and urge the members of the House to support it as well. Faculty voices, who carry institutions of higher education, need to be heard.

My name is Greg Mourad, and I am Vice President of the National Right to Work Committee. I am here to speak against House Bill 1263, which would force all Virginia public employees under union monopoly control. It’s just plain wrong for workers to be forced under union monopoly control as a condition of working in public service. Under exclusive representation, better termed monopoly bargaining, individual workers lose the ability to choose their own representation -- this is a right even a convicted criminal retains. But in addition to imposing union monopoly representation on public employees, this bill will also undercut the people’s elected representatives’ responsibility to set a budget, while closing out the public from the decision-making process. Indeed, that’s exactly what the U.S. District Court said in upholding North Carolina’s law banning public sector bargaining. The court ruled: “[T]o the extent that public employees gain power through recognition and collective bargaining, other interest groups with a right to a voice in the running of the government may be left out of vital political decisions.” And monopoly bargaining gives public employee union bosses a second bite at the apple that’s completely unique among all stakeholders. They not only can lobby and electioneer like anyone else, but under this bill union bosses can by law bind the government in contracts. Meanwhile, regardless of any legal prohibition, passing this bill opens the door to public employee strikes -- since 2023 we’ve seen illegal walkouts everywhere from Clark County, Nevada to Fresno, California to four school districts in Massachusetts. And the fact is, this legislation will be a disaster for Virginia taxpayers. Years ago, the Heritage Foundation found that public sector monopoly bargaining costs the average family of four as much as $3,000 in taxes per year in states that have passed it for all government workers. Meanwhile here in Virginia, Loudoun County schools had to hire thirteen new staff and increase spending by $3.3 million just to implement monopoly bargaining. This bill would repeat those costs in county after county, town after town, in places that have rejected bargaining due to the cost. Meanwhile, the people’s elected representatives will lose flexibility to make needed changes the next time there’s a recession. These are all big reasons why even many strong proponents of monopoly bargaining in the private sector have opposed public sector bargaining. For example, Franklin Roosevelt wrote in 1937 to the National Federation of Federal Employees, “all Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service.” It’s wrong for workers, wrong for taxpayers, and harmful to our representative form of government. I urge you to kill this bill or anything like it.

Dear Members of House Commerce and Labor, Subcommittee #2 As the lobbyist for Prince William County Schools, I am submitting the following comments in opposition to HB 1263, at least as it relates to public schools of the Commonwealth. More specifically, PWCS opposes the following provisions: [at line 673] § 40.1-57.12. Determination of appropriate bargaining unit At Section D.1., PWCS does not believe that principals and assistant principals should be represented as a bargaining unit. As such, these positions represent a high level of management just below the school board and superintendent and, thus, should not be part of the collective bargaining arrangement. 40.1-57.16. Negotiation and impasse procedures [at line 673] Section A.4. This provision requires the parties to submit to binding arbitration. PWCS submits that this provision, as it relates to public schools, is unconstitutional in that it requires the elected school board to delegate its responsibilities vested in it under Article VIII, Section 7 of the Virginia Constitution. Further, a school board has no power to levy taxes in Virginia and is therefore wholly dependent upon state and local funding over which it has very little control, if any. As a result, it may lack the ability to fund a binding award made by an arbitrator. [at line 680] Section A.5. This provision restricts the arbitrator’s finding to either the final offer of the employer or the employee organization, and nothing in between. Since at line 740, the terms of an agreement remain in effect until superseded by a new agreement, there is no incentive for the employee organization to submit a reasonable final offer. Thank you for your consideration. Jim Council 804.347.0503

Hi my name is Sean Cassar, I live in District 80. I am the labor co-chair for the Richmond chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and appear before you today to read a letter from our members who are state employees: As state employees, we are excited about the collective bargaining rights proposed for public sector workers and greatly urge your support. This is a right that everyone deserves and that a majority of states provide. We want to thank the sponsors of this legislation, all those who worked to draft it and lobbied and organized for years to get to this moment. In anticipation of its success and in comparing this resolution to other states there are a few confusing sentences and unnecessary restrictions we’ve found. Before we start, we want to state plainly that we will support this bill in whichever form it appears but take this opportunity to voice our concerns. First we are concerned with the language in §40.1-57.12. C which mandates the rigidity of cross department and agency bargaining units and ask that you provide more flexibility in the language for the bargaining units of state employees. With over 100 executive branch agencies and subagencies that the provisions apply to, it will be challenging to exercise the collective bargaining rights provided. Additionally, the Governor is not required to make appointments to the Public Employee Relations Board until October of 2027. This means it will be well over a year after the bill is effective before public workers can exercise collective bargaining rights. The delay is concerning as it also would delay our understanding of how to proceed with organizing on the ground. Lastly, the retention of the strike policy is disappointing. The best way for workers to protect their rights is by withholding our labor. The best way to avoid a strike is to bargain in good faith and not retaliate or infringe on labor rights. Further, with no language outlining investigation processes, this provision can and will be weaponized by management as we’ve seen happen on multiple occasions in Richmond Public Schools. We hope you consider our suggestions as this bill will affect the rights afforded to us, and we have exact language changes we recommend which some of you may have received already and can provide if you are interested. Again, we will support this bill in whichever form it appears but urge tightening up of language and expansion of rights. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I am a graduate worker in Engineering asking you to vote YES on HB 1263 to allow public sector workers to collectively bargain. Last year, a friend in another lab had an advisor who had to leave the department because he was not able to secure funding. Through no fault of her own, his student had to graduate on an accelerated timeline and had less than 6 months to complete what takes most students about 1-2 years. She also had to balance this with teaching (which is atypical for a student in their final year but necessary for her to be funded her last semester) and job searching. She was exhausted as a result of having to work around the clock to manage these responsibilities. Unfortunately, graduate workers being overloaded with teaching and research responsibilities during their final year has happened in at least three different departments during my time here. There is no way a graduate student can provide the best possible teaching for undergrads while exhausted and overworked. Collective bargaining for graduate workers would allow us to negotiate a contract that guarantees funding for the duration of the PhD. This would ensure that grad workers do not need to overwork themselves to graduate on an accelerated timeline in circumstances like these, while improving quality of education for students at Virginia's public universities.

The Virginia Association for Home Care and Hospice opposes this bill. Medicaid sets the reimbursement rates for personal care services. According to the Guide House report these services should be increased 42% to allow proper compensation for all staff working in this setting. Collective bargaining will not solve the underpayment issues or staff salaries.

Please Oppose this bill those of us from states like NY are familiar with the power and pitfalls of public sector collective bargaining. In the 1970s in New York State alone, there were, on average, 20 teacher strikes a year, and who doesn't remember the trash piled high on city streets as sanitation workers walked out. Think that can't happen here because the law makes strikes illegal? Think again, didn't the teacher’s union keep schools closed for nearly 2 years refusing to go back to in-person learning and in our city workers not pick up our trash in protest for "Hazardous duty pay?” Same in Wisconsin when Governor Walker signed legislation into law to limit collective bargaining to just wages, thousands of teachers called in sick and showed up at the captial building in protest, Collective bargaining is not about workers rights, it's about control. Collective bargaining with public-employee unions would mean taking some of the decision-making authority over government functions away from the people's elected representatives and transferring them to union officials, with whom the public has vested no such authority During a downturn in the economy New York was bailed out by the federal government after Governor Cuomo was prevented from getting concessions from the union by an amendment inserted into law for union contracts. New York was bailed out by the federal government after Governor Cuomo was prevented from getting concessions by an amendment inserted into law for union contracts. In Miami the police union sued after the city made changes to their union contract saying the city failed to raise taxes, lay off non-union workers and put in speed cameras. Vallejo, California filed bankruptcy after trying for 3 years to negotiate with unions. Allowing unions the ability to collectively bargain for employees increases the cost of government. Every dollar spent on administering union contracts is a dollar NOT spent on educating a child or providing city services. Please vote NO!

HB 925 and HB 1481 are necessities to empower employees and protect their rights. Sincere thanks to Dels. Lopez and Keys-Gamarra for bringing these critical bills, particularly in today's environment.

This attachment is a letter of support from Mark Falzone, president of Scenic America, urging passage of HB 1487. The letter explains how the bill’s pilot program for underground transmission lines balances grid reliability and resilience with protection of Virginia’s scenic, environmental, and community resources, and why the bill’s limited scope and safeguards represent a responsible, data-driven policy approach.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487, which bring much‑needed reform to how high‑voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clear, enforceable siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. It rightly requires the State Corporation Commission to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection and to avoid routing lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists. This is a common‑sense standard that aligns infrastructure decisions with real communities and locally adopted comprehensive plans. HB1487 strengthens this approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible—while requiring cost transparency, local support, and shared responsibility—will provide critical real‑world data. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures decisions are based on evidence, not assumptions. These bills do not block needed infrastructure. They ensure communities are not treated as the default or easiest option. I urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to existing residential zones, schools, and other sensitive areas, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1487 and HB1491, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am a homeowner in Ridges at Loudoun Valley Condominiums. My home is located along Loudoun County Parkway. I PROTEST OVERHEAD HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES BEING CONSTRUCTED WITHIN FEET OF MY HOME. NOT ONLY WILL IT DRASTICALLY DECREASE THE VALUE OF MY HOME; IT IS DANGEROUS! I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing on behalf of Loudoun Valley Estates, a residential community currently facing the prospect of high-voltage transmission infrastructure being routed literally through our neighborhood. I urge the subcommittee to advance HB1491 and HB1487 out of subcommittee. For our community, this process has caused real stress, anxiety, and dismay. Many residents have asked a simple but painful question: what have we done wrong that this is happening to us? The answer increasingly appears to be nothing more than geography and convenience. In our case, the “options” we have been presented with are deeply troubling. If Dominion does not get its desired routing through our elementary and high schools, we have been presented with an alternative that would place transmission towers up to approximately 185 feet in residents’ backyards and through HOA property. That is the “choice” we have been given - and I use that word loosely, because communities like ours have no meaningful ability to force a reasonable alternative. I recently met with the former mayor and a current councilmember of Chino Hills, California, a community that experienced a similar outcome. The visual impact of large-scale transmission infrastructure routed near homes there is stark. I would encourage members of this subcommittee to view the publicly available photos documenting that project here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066820513518&sk=photos If those images reflected your own neighborhood, how would you feel? With the way these projects are increasingly being pursued, it is not difficult to imagine that any community could be next. Communities like ours are not opposed to infrastructure or growth. We understand the need for reliable power and evolving energy demands. What we oppose is a process where utilities, armed with vast resources and full-time staff, are able to litigate projects forward while residential neighborhoods are left to respond with part-time volunteers, limited expertise, and little meaningful leverage. Even as a relatively organized HOA, the imbalance is overwhelming. Many communities across Virginia are far less equipped than we are. The result is that residential neighborhoods become the path of least resistance - not because it is right, but because it is expedient. That is not a sustainable or equitable way to build critical infrastructure. HB1491 and HB1487 represent a reasonable and necessary first step toward restoring balance. They do not stop projects, but they do send a clear signal that routing decisions, proximity to homes and schools, and genuine evaluation of alternatives matter. They move us toward solutions that balance reliability needs with the real human impacts borne by communities. To any delegate uncertain about supporting this legislation, I would simply ask: if this were your neighborhood, your home, or your child’s school, would you feel the current process is fair? These bills are not radical. They are a measured effort to ensure that progress does not come at any cost, and that communities are not treated as expendable in the process. We respectfully ask the subcommittee to allow these bills to move forward for full consideration. Thank you for your time and attention to the real impacts these decisions have on Virginia’s communities.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1487 and HB1491 as good starting points for Virginia legislation. I believe it is the duty of the SCC and the state to prioritize residents and quality of life, though it may be easier and more beneficial for both governmental and legislative entities to be swayed by corporate interests. Building overhead high voltage powerlines without definitive answers about their health and long term impacts sets a dangerous precedent in our county, state, and nation. We must find alternative methods backed by science and not pushed forward the quickest solution based solely on corporate profits.

I’m writing as a Virginia homeowner who is directly affected by a pending State Corporation Commission case that could place high-voltage transmission lines less than 100 feet from my home. Because this decision has real consequences for my family’s safety, health, and quality of life, I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer, more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. For homeowners like me, the siting process isn’t theoretical — it determines whether major infrastructure is routed close to where our families live, whether impacts are minimized, and whether our community is treated fairly in the decision-making process. Requiring the SCC to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards also better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. When a proposal could put lines within 100 feet of a home, it’s only responsible to evaluate alternatives that could reduce community impacts. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible — with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility — gives Virginia a practical way to gather real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that families are not put at risk simply because their neighborhood is the most convenient route. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I want State Corporation Commission (SCC) to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection when approving routes. Lines should be 150 feet of homes, schools, daycares, parks, recreational areas, or places of worship unless no other feasible alternative exists. I support HB1487 to explore underground powerlines. The impact of overhead lines and cost of underground lines should not be a health hazard or a financial burden on families who are current living in Loudoun county.

I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487, which improve how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 sets clearer, stronger standards for siting transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection—and to avoid routing lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists—the bill establishes a practical and responsible framework for infrastructure planning. It ensures transmission decisions better reflect community development patterns and locally adopted comprehensive plans. HB1487 complements this approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be placed underground where technically feasible, with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility, gives the Commonwealth critical real-world data. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures undergrounding decisions are guided by evidence, not speculation. Together, these bills make clear that residential communities should not be the default route for major transmission infrastructure. They do not halt needed projects; they require that alternatives be meaningfully evaluated and that communities are no longer treated as the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Thank you for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Here’s a clean rephrased version that keeps the substance and tone but smooths and varies the language: I am writing to voice my support for HB1491 and HB1487, legislation that improves how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 sets clearer, more protective siting standards for transmission lines operating at 138 kilovolts or higher. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to explicitly prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection—and to avoid placing lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive locations unless no reasonable alternative exists—the bill takes a practical and balanced approach to infrastructure development. These standards better reflect how communities actually function and grow, and they align transmission planning with local comprehensive plans created through public input. HB1487 complements this effort by taking a forward-looking approach to underground transmission. Expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program to allow limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be built underground where technically feasible—while ensuring cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility—will provide the Commonwealth with meaningful real-world data. Extending the program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that future decisions about undergrounding are guided by long-term evidence rather than speculation. Together, these bills acknowledge that residential neighborhoods should not automatically be treated as the most convenient route for major transmission infrastructure. They do not prevent necessary projects from moving forward, but they do require that alternatives be thoroughly considered and that communities are not simply chosen as the path of least resistance. I respectfully urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both measures to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my family’s support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing this to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. I thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration. Sincerely, Mahamudul Huda 22809 Watson Heights Circle Ashburn, VA 20148

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I support the common sense bills HB 1487 and HB 1491 that Delegate JJ Singh has introduced. These bills keep the needs of residents and community in mind while advancing energy infrastructure. We need solutions that protect our health and our communities while applying solutions that show successful results. VA General Assemble should first and foremost protect the interests of the citizens as elected officials. For these reasons, I submit my testimony in support of these bills.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Hello Mr.Singh, I am a resident of Ashburn, VA. Proposed high-tension electric power lines will impact our community and will have adverse effects on our health . We thank you for your consideration and support our efforts to block these overhead lines. Instead we are in favor of an underground electric cables. In that regard, I express my full support to you on HB1487 and HB1491

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Members of the Committee, I am writing in strong support of HB1491 and HB1487 because these bills confront a reality that too often goes unspoken: when transmission lines are planned without clear guardrails, it is families, children, and neighborhoods who bear the cost. For decades, residential communities have been treated as the easiest solution—the path of least resistance—when siting massive high-voltage transmission infrastructure. Homes, schools, playgrounds, and places of worship are not abstract dots on a map. They are where children sleep, where seniors spend their days, and where Virginians have invested their life savings with the expectation of safety, stability, and thoughtful planning. HB1491 is a necessary corrective. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, the bill restores balance to a process that has leaned too heavily toward convenience over consequence. Avoiding routes near homes and schools unless no feasible alternative exists is not radical—it is responsible governance. It aligns transmission planning with the way communities actually exist and grow, and with comprehensive plans shaped through local public input. Virginians should not discover after the fact that their neighborhood was deemed expendable. HB1487 looks forward instead of backward. Expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program acknowledges what many communities are already asking: if safer, less disruptive alternatives are technically feasible, they deserve real consideration—not dismissal. Allowing limited 500 kV underground projects, with transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility, creates the data Virginia needs to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Extending reporting through 2033 ensures that we are guided by facts and lived experience, not outdated assumptions. Together, these bills send a clear message: Virginia’s communities are not collateral damage in the pursuit of infrastructure. HB1491 and HB1487 do not block progress. They insist that progress be thoughtful, humane, and worthy of public trust. I urge you to advance both bills. The decisions made here will shape not just transmission corridors, but the daily lives and long-term well-being of thousands of Virginians. Thank you for your time, your service, and your consideration. Respectfully,

I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1491 and HB 1487. These bills provide a much-needed framework for how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited across the Commonwealth. As Virginia’s energy needs grow, it is vital that we update our infrastructure standards to protect the people these lines serve. Here is why I believe these bills are essential: HB 1491: Prioritizing People and Safety This bill establishes common-sense siting standards for lines of 138 kV or more. By requiring the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to prioritize public health and environmental protection, it ensures that transmission lines aren't simply routed through the "path of least resistance." It correctly identifies that homes and schools should be protected unless no feasible alternative exists. HB 1487: Innovating through Undergrounding By expanding the underground transmission pilot program to include qualifying 500 kV projects, Virginia can gain critical, real-world data on the feasibility of moving major infrastructure below ground. The extension of the reporting period through 2033 ensures that our future policy decisions will be based on long-term evidence and financial transparency, rather than guesswork. A Balanced Path Forward Together, these bills do not halt necessary infrastructure; instead, they ensure that residential communities are not treated as the default location for major utility projects. They demand a genuine evaluation of alternatives and respect the local comprehensive plans that our communities have worked hard to develop. I urge you and the committee to support HB 1491 and HB 1487 and allow both to advance. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to protecting Virginia’s residents.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Scenic America submits this letter in strong support of HB 1487, which establishes a pilot program for underground transmission lines in Virginia. The letter explains why undergrounding is a prudent, data‑driven approach that improves grid reliability, resilience, safety, environmental protection, community character, and long‑term cost efficiency. It outlines the benefits of undergrounding—including reduced outages, lower maintenance and vegetation‑management costs, enhanced public safety, economic and ecological advantages, and preservation of scenic beauty—and urges the subcommittee to advance the bill.

I've been a resident of Loudoun Valley Estates for the past twenty years. But the power company has proposed to installed a 185 feet tall monopole carrying a 500kv powerline in the middle of my backyard. The wires are less than 100 feet from my house and neighbor’s houses. These pose serious safety and health risks to my family and all residents of Ashburn. And this line as it is stands is in violation of the Housing and Urban Development guideline: the distance between a High-Voltage Power Line and a Non-Participating landowner’s property line shall be not less than 2.5 times the tower height -- in our case it’s should be 462.5 feet away from residential properties. The Golden to Mars project also violates our constitution rights, Article XI. Conservation; To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources. What the power company threatens to do is cut down thousands of mature trees in 100-foot wide, 8-miles long stretch and install 185 feet tall poles right next to the Broad Run River, destroying our forest, wildlife habitat, and polluting our water and air all along the river and the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed. Please support HB1491 and HB1487, and put citizen safety ahead of corporate greed. It is the right thing to do, because what we need most now is future-forward, people-first thinking.

I am writing in support of HB1487 and HB1491. I am in favor of moving transmission lines underground especially when they pass near homes. If these power lines were built before the homes were built the home owners would be making a conscious decision to buy homes near them. However do build these power lines so many years after people are well settled in these Ashburn communities is very unfair to all those property owners given the home could be their largest investment. Please vote in favor of these two bills - HB1487 and HB1491.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487. These bills address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. These bills require the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requesting the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

My name is Madison Taggart and I’ve lived in Loudoun Valley Estates for almost all my life. The power company has proposed to installed a 185 feet tall monopole carrying a 500kv power line in the middle of my backyard. The wires are less than 100 feet from my house and neighbor’s houses, posing serious safety and health risks to my family and all residents of Ashburn, and like all the other proposed lines the power company has suggested cause unneeded damage without regard for the wellbeing of the public. This proposed high-voltage power line is in violation of the Housing and Urban Development guideline which clearly states the distance between a High-Voltage Power Line and a Non-Participating landowner’s property line shall be not less than 2.5 times the tower height -- in our case these lines should be 462.5 feet away from residential property lines instead under 100 feet away from where we'd stand on the deck on the inside of our property. The Golden to Mars project also violates our constitution rights, specifically Article XI. Conservation. It states that people must have clean air, pure water, and the ability to use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources. What the power company threatens to do is cut down thousands of mature trees in 100-foot wide, 8-miles long stretch and install 185 feet tall poles right next to the Broad Run River. This will destroy our forest, displacing hundreds of native animals and killing native plants like mature dogwood, oaks, and cedar. The presence of poles so close to vulnerable river beds will also inevitably pollute our water and air all along the river and the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed, worsening quality of life for everyone in the area. The reckless, poorly-planned infrastructure taking over our county must be stopped, and properly regulated so that no one is forced to sacrifice their homes for a project that doesn't directly benefit them. Please support HB1491 and HB1487, and put citizen safety ahead of corporate greed. It is the right thing to do, because what we need most now is future-forward, people-first thinking.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Members of the Virginia House, My name is Min Pak, and I am writing as a homeowner, a parent, and a deeply concerned member of this community. The proposed placement of a 500-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line just 145 feet from my home has forced my family and many others to confront risks we never imagined when we chose our neighborhood as a safe place to raise our children. These bills are not about stopping progress. Virginia needs reliable energy infrastructure to support growth. But progress must be pursued responsibly and with respect for the people who will live with the consequences long after construction is complete. HB1491 establishes reasonable distance protections between massive transmission lines and homes, schools, parks, and places of worship. No family should have to wonder whether infrastructure built practically in their backyard could impact their health, safety, or financial stability. When alternatives exist, placing these lines so close to residential communities is neither necessary nor justifiable. HB1487 moves Virginia toward smarter infrastructure by expanding the opportunity for underground transmission in residential areas. Undergrounding is not simply an aesthetic preference — it is an investment in resilience, safety, and long-term community preservation. Responsible planning today prevents irreversible harm tomorrow. The impact for families are profound: Health and peace of mind: Parents should not have to live with persistent fear about potential long-term impacts on their children. Financial security: For most families, a home is their largest investment. Significant property value loss can erase years of savings and stability through no fault of the homeowner. Community integrity: Established neighborhoods should not bear disproportionate burdens for infrastructure that serves broader commercial demand. Virginia has long recognized that infrastructure decisions must protect the public interest and minimize harm wherever possible. Passing these bills affirms that principle. It signals that the Commonwealth values thoughtful planning over convenience and people over expediency. This is ultimately a question of fairness. Families like mine followed the rules, invested in our communities, and trusted that our homes would remain places of safety. We are not asking for special treatment — only for reasonable protections and modern solutions that reflect the realities of today’s growing communities. You have the opportunity to ensure that Virginia’s growth does not come at the expense of the very families who make our communities strong. By supporting HB1487 and HB1491, you are choosing balanced progress — infrastructure that meets demand while safeguarding health, homes, and neighborhoods. I urge you to stand with Virginia families and pass these critical bills. Respectfully, Min Pak

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Dear Members of the Committee, I am writing with urgency and deep concern to urge your support for HB1491 and HB1487. For Loudoun County and communities across Northern Virginia, these bills are not theoretical policy debates—they are about protecting neighborhoods, families, and the future of some of the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing and most vibrant communities. Northern Virginia is home to thousands of families who have invested their lives, savings, and hopes in their communities. Parents expect their children to attend schools free from unnecessary environmental and health risks. Homeowners expect that careful local planning will be respected. Yet too often, high-voltage transmission projects are proposed in ways that place massive infrastructure directly through residential neighborhoods simply because it is the easiest or cheapest route. HB1491 represents a critical shift toward fairness and responsibility. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection—and to avoid routing transmission lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists—the bill puts people before convenience. It ensures that Loudoun’s comprehensive plans, shaped through years of public engagement and thoughtful growth management, are treated as meaningful guides rather than obstacles to be ignored. HB1487 offers Northern Virginia a forward-looking path. Expanding the underground transmission pilot program recognizes that in dense, rapidly developing regions like ours, traditional overhead lines are not always the only or best option. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be built underground where technically feasible—while requiring transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility—gives Virginia real data and real experience. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures that future decisions affecting Loudoun and Northern Virginia are grounded in evidence, not assumptions. Taken together, these bills send a clear message: Loudoun County and Northern Virginia communities should not be treated as the default corridor for major transmission infrastructure simply because they are growing and politically convenient. These bills do not halt needed energy projects. They demand that alternatives be seriously considered and that communities are not treated as the path of least resistance. The choices you make today will shape the character, health, and livability of Northern Virginia for generations. Families in Loudoun County are paying attention. They are asking for leadership that recognizes that infrastructure should serve communities—not sacrifice them. I respectfully urge you to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Loudoun County and Northern Virginia deserve thoughtful, people-centered planning that reflects both our growth and our values. Thank you for your time and your commitment to the communities you represent. Respectfully, Debra A Smith Loudon County Resident

HB1491 and HB 1487 bills, taken together, recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing in strong support of HB1491 and HB1487, two bills that responsibly modernize how high‑voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 creates clearer, more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kV and above. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to explicitly prioritize public health, safety, environmental protection, and meaningful avoidance of homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, the bill brings much‑needed balance and common sense to infrastructure planning. These standards better reflect how communities actually live and grow, and they align transmission siting with local comprehensive plans developed through public input. HB1487 complements this approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing a limited number of qualifying 500 kV projects to be built underground—where technically feasible and supported by transparent costs, local engagement, and shared financial responsibility—will give the Commonwealth real‑world data and experience. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are guided by long‑term evidence rather than assumptions. Together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest path for major transmission infrastructure. They do not impede necessary projects; instead, they ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I respectfully urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487 and the more responsible approach they take to siting high-voltage electric transmission infrastructure. These bills introduce needed clarity and discipline into a process that too often defaults to the most convenient option. HB1491 makes clear that public health, safety, and environmental impacts must be given real weight, and that residential neighborhoods should not be treated as the easiest or automatic corridor for major transmission lines unless no reasonable alternative exists. That is a straightforward expectation of sound planning. HB1487 takes a practical, forward-looking step by expanding the underground transmission pilot program. Allowing a limited number of qualifying projects to be built underground where technically feasible, with cost transparency and shared financial responsibility, creates an opportunity to evaluate undergrounding based on real-world results. Extending reporting ensures that future decisions are informed by experience rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills do not prevent necessary infrastructure from moving forward. They require better analysis, better choices, and fairer treatment of affected communities. I urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Sincerely, G K

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Dear Mr Singh, I appreciate the work you are doing on this. Our county of less than 450 thousand people, that accounts for 0.0054% of worlds population has been bearing an unusual and an accidental burden of supporting over 70% of worlds internet traffic. This has come at a cost of having to live in a world filled with data centers, the different flavors of pollution they are known to bring, and the growing advancements of power companies that are looking to build overhead high power lines to help connect different energy grids to support drive this growth at break neck speed, all with a due process that has not advanced to adopt and bring some sense of sanity , or paused to be relooked at and appropriately calibrated. There is no end in sight for how this will all evolve and what our population is going to be brought to bear. I implore you and the offices that represent Loudoun 's people to take a stand to put in relevant checks and balances in place with a people first mind set, not bending to the wills and pressures of the powers that work to fulfil the responsibility of organizations that are are working to support the 70% world population. We really need to pause to rethink. We need to make the time to do so. There can't be anything that can come in the way that's more important than the people of Loudoun. You know you have the people of Loudoun's support for all of what you are looking to pursue to give you the collective strength that's needed to make progress . Thank you again.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration. Thanks for your attention in this matter.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am a resident of LV II, and I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487. These bills recognize something that residents like me live with every day: our neighborhoods should not be the default place to run massive transmission lines. HB1491 puts common sense first by prioritizing public health, safety, and the protection of homes and schools when these projects are planned. HB1487 gives Virginia a chance to seriously explore underground transmission where it makes sense, instead of assuming overhead lines through communities are the only option. Gathering real data over time is the responsible way to make these decisions. We are not asking to stop progress—we are asking to be considered. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow them to move forward. Thank you for listening to the voices of residents like me.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited throughout Virginia(especially residential areas) HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. Which will affect in long run. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

By supporting HB1491 and HB1487, the Commonwealth has a vital opportunity to modernize its approach to energy infrastructure while prioritizing the well-being of its citizens. HB1491 shifts the current paradigm by requiring the State Corporation Commission to treat public health, safety, and local environmental standards as primary considerations rather than secondary concerns, effectively ensuring that high-voltage lines are no longer routed through sensitive residential or educational areas by default. This community-centric planning is perfectly balanced by the forward-looking provisions of HB1487, which utilizes a data-driven pilot program to explore the technical and financial viability of undergrounding 500 kV lines. Together, these measures do not impede necessary grid upgrades, but instead demand a more rigorous evaluation of alternatives to ensure that power transmission is achieved through innovation and shared responsibility rather than simply following the path of least resistance.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I support HB1491 and HB1487. High-voltage transmission infrastructure does not belong in residential neighborhoods, but communities are increasingly becoming the path of least resistance as demand grows. These towering structures introduce permanent visual pollution, transforming scenic vistas and quiet residential corridors into industrial zones, which can lead to a sharp decline in property values. Beyond aesthetics, there are valid concerns regarding the environmental footprint and the increased risk of wildfires sparked by line failures. Many advocates for opposition argue that instead of relying on outdated overhead technology, utilities should prioritize undergrounding cables or investing in decentralized, local renewable energy sources that respect the integrity of the local environment. My humble request is for the committee to support both bills. Thank you. A concerned Loudoun County Resident.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

WE CANNOT HAVE THESE LINES ANYWHERE NEAR OUR HOMES! Not only for the value of properties being jeopardized, but also the safety of our families. We work too hard to enjoy our lives and not subject ourselves to health risks that could be prevented. It is not as if we are purposely looking to do damage to our bodies - this is damage being brought to us, and more importantly, it's preventable.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487, which bring much‑needed reform to how high‑voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clear, enforceable siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. It rightly requires the State Corporation Commission to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection and to avoid routing lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists. This is a common‑sense standard that aligns infrastructure decisions with real communities and locally adopted comprehensive plans. HB1487 strengthens this approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible—while requiring cost transparency, local support, and shared responsibility—will provide critical real‑world data. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures decisions are based on evidence, not assumptions. These bills do not block needed infrastructure. They ensure communities are not treated as the default or easiest option. I urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to existing residential zones, schools, and other sensitive areas, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1487 and HB1491, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am a homeowner in Ridges at Loudoun Valley Condominiums. My home is located along Loudoun County Parkway. I PROTEST OVERHEAD HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES BEING CONSTRUCTED WITHIN FEET OF MY HOME. NOT ONLY WILL IT DRASTICALLY DECREASE THE VALUE OF MY HOME; IT IS DANGEROUS! I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing on behalf of Loudoun Valley Estates, a residential community currently facing the prospect of high-voltage transmission infrastructure being routed literally through our neighborhood. I urge the subcommittee to advance HB1491 and HB1487 out of subcommittee. For our community, this process has caused real stress, anxiety, and dismay. Many residents have asked a simple but painful question: what have we done wrong that this is happening to us? The answer increasingly appears to be nothing more than geography and convenience. In our case, the “options” we have been presented with are deeply troubling. If Dominion does not get its desired routing through our elementary and high schools, we have been presented with an alternative that would place transmission towers up to approximately 185 feet in residents’ backyards and through HOA property. That is the “choice” we have been given - and I use that word loosely, because communities like ours have no meaningful ability to force a reasonable alternative. I recently met with the former mayor and a current councilmember of Chino Hills, California, a community that experienced a similar outcome. The visual impact of large-scale transmission infrastructure routed near homes there is stark. I would encourage members of this subcommittee to view the publicly available photos documenting that project here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066820513518&sk=photos If those images reflected your own neighborhood, how would you feel? With the way these projects are increasingly being pursued, it is not difficult to imagine that any community could be next. Communities like ours are not opposed to infrastructure or growth. We understand the need for reliable power and evolving energy demands. What we oppose is a process where utilities, armed with vast resources and full-time staff, are able to litigate projects forward while residential neighborhoods are left to respond with part-time volunteers, limited expertise, and little meaningful leverage. Even as a relatively organized HOA, the imbalance is overwhelming. Many communities across Virginia are far less equipped than we are. The result is that residential neighborhoods become the path of least resistance - not because it is right, but because it is expedient. That is not a sustainable or equitable way to build critical infrastructure. HB1491 and HB1487 represent a reasonable and necessary first step toward restoring balance. They do not stop projects, but they do send a clear signal that routing decisions, proximity to homes and schools, and genuine evaluation of alternatives matter. They move us toward solutions that balance reliability needs with the real human impacts borne by communities. To any delegate uncertain about supporting this legislation, I would simply ask: if this were your neighborhood, your home, or your child’s school, would you feel the current process is fair? These bills are not radical. They are a measured effort to ensure that progress does not come at any cost, and that communities are not treated as expendable in the process. We respectfully ask the subcommittee to allow these bills to move forward for full consideration. Thank you for your time and attention to the real impacts these decisions have on Virginia’s communities.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1487 and HB1491 as good starting points for Virginia legislation. I believe it is the duty of the SCC and the state to prioritize residents and quality of life, though it may be easier and more beneficial for both governmental and legislative entities to be swayed by corporate interests. Building overhead high voltage powerlines without definitive answers about their health and long term impacts sets a dangerous precedent in our county, state, and nation. We must find alternative methods backed by science and not pushed forward the quickest solution based solely on corporate profits.

I’m writing as a Virginia homeowner who is directly affected by a pending State Corporation Commission case that could place high-voltage transmission lines less than 100 feet from my home. Because this decision has real consequences for my family’s safety, health, and quality of life, I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer, more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. For homeowners like me, the siting process isn’t theoretical — it determines whether major infrastructure is routed close to where our families live, whether impacts are minimized, and whether our community is treated fairly in the decision-making process. Requiring the SCC to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards also better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. When a proposal could put lines within 100 feet of a home, it’s only responsible to evaluate alternatives that could reduce community impacts. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible — with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility — gives Virginia a practical way to gather real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that families are not put at risk simply because their neighborhood is the most convenient route. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I want State Corporation Commission (SCC) to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection when approving routes. Lines should be 150 feet of homes, schools, daycares, parks, recreational areas, or places of worship unless no other feasible alternative exists. I support HB1487 to explore underground powerlines. The impact of overhead lines and cost of underground lines should not be a health hazard or a financial burden on families who are current living in Loudoun county.

I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487, which improve how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 sets clearer, stronger standards for siting transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection—and to avoid routing lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists—the bill establishes a practical and responsible framework for infrastructure planning. It ensures transmission decisions better reflect community development patterns and locally adopted comprehensive plans. HB1487 complements this approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be placed underground where technically feasible, with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility, gives the Commonwealth critical real-world data. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures undergrounding decisions are guided by evidence, not speculation. Together, these bills make clear that residential communities should not be the default route for major transmission infrastructure. They do not halt needed projects; they require that alternatives be meaningfully evaluated and that communities are no longer treated as the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Thank you for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Here’s a clean rephrased version that keeps the substance and tone but smooths and varies the language: I am writing to voice my support for HB1491 and HB1487, legislation that improves how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 sets clearer, more protective siting standards for transmission lines operating at 138 kilovolts or higher. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to explicitly prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection—and to avoid placing lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive locations unless no reasonable alternative exists—the bill takes a practical and balanced approach to infrastructure development. These standards better reflect how communities actually function and grow, and they align transmission planning with local comprehensive plans created through public input. HB1487 complements this effort by taking a forward-looking approach to underground transmission. Expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program to allow limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be built underground where technically feasible—while ensuring cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility—will provide the Commonwealth with meaningful real-world data. Extending the program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that future decisions about undergrounding are guided by long-term evidence rather than speculation. Together, these bills acknowledge that residential neighborhoods should not automatically be treated as the most convenient route for major transmission infrastructure. They do not prevent necessary projects from moving forward, but they do require that alternatives be thoroughly considered and that communities are not simply chosen as the path of least resistance. I respectfully urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both measures to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my family’s support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing this to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. I thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration. Sincerely, Mahamudul Huda 22809 Watson Heights Circle Ashburn, VA 20148

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I support the common sense bills HB 1487 and HB 1491 that Delegate JJ Singh has introduced. These bills keep the needs of residents and community in mind while advancing energy infrastructure. We need solutions that protect our health and our communities while applying solutions that show successful results. VA General Assemble should first and foremost protect the interests of the citizens as elected officials. For these reasons, I submit my testimony in support of these bills.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Hello Mr.Singh, I am a resident of Ashburn, VA. Proposed high-tension electric power lines will impact our community and will have adverse effects on our health . We thank you for your consideration and support our efforts to block these overhead lines. Instead we are in favor of an underground electric cables. In that regard, I express my full support to you on HB1487 and HB1491

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Members of the Committee, I am writing in strong support of HB1491 and HB1487 because these bills confront a reality that too often goes unspoken: when transmission lines are planned without clear guardrails, it is families, children, and neighborhoods who bear the cost. For decades, residential communities have been treated as the easiest solution—the path of least resistance—when siting massive high-voltage transmission infrastructure. Homes, schools, playgrounds, and places of worship are not abstract dots on a map. They are where children sleep, where seniors spend their days, and where Virginians have invested their life savings with the expectation of safety, stability, and thoughtful planning. HB1491 is a necessary corrective. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, the bill restores balance to a process that has leaned too heavily toward convenience over consequence. Avoiding routes near homes and schools unless no feasible alternative exists is not radical—it is responsible governance. It aligns transmission planning with the way communities actually exist and grow, and with comprehensive plans shaped through local public input. Virginians should not discover after the fact that their neighborhood was deemed expendable. HB1487 looks forward instead of backward. Expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program acknowledges what many communities are already asking: if safer, less disruptive alternatives are technically feasible, they deserve real consideration—not dismissal. Allowing limited 500 kV underground projects, with transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility, creates the data Virginia needs to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Extending reporting through 2033 ensures that we are guided by facts and lived experience, not outdated assumptions. Together, these bills send a clear message: Virginia’s communities are not collateral damage in the pursuit of infrastructure. HB1491 and HB1487 do not block progress. They insist that progress be thoughtful, humane, and worthy of public trust. I urge you to advance both bills. The decisions made here will shape not just transmission corridors, but the daily lives and long-term well-being of thousands of Virginians. Thank you for your time, your service, and your consideration. Respectfully,

I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1491 and HB 1487. These bills provide a much-needed framework for how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited across the Commonwealth. As Virginia’s energy needs grow, it is vital that we update our infrastructure standards to protect the people these lines serve. Here is why I believe these bills are essential: HB 1491: Prioritizing People and Safety This bill establishes common-sense siting standards for lines of 138 kV or more. By requiring the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to prioritize public health and environmental protection, it ensures that transmission lines aren't simply routed through the "path of least resistance." It correctly identifies that homes and schools should be protected unless no feasible alternative exists. HB 1487: Innovating through Undergrounding By expanding the underground transmission pilot program to include qualifying 500 kV projects, Virginia can gain critical, real-world data on the feasibility of moving major infrastructure below ground. The extension of the reporting period through 2033 ensures that our future policy decisions will be based on long-term evidence and financial transparency, rather than guesswork. A Balanced Path Forward Together, these bills do not halt necessary infrastructure; instead, they ensure that residential communities are not treated as the default location for major utility projects. They demand a genuine evaluation of alternatives and respect the local comprehensive plans that our communities have worked hard to develop. I urge you and the committee to support HB 1491 and HB 1487 and allow both to advance. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to protecting Virginia’s residents.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia.

Scenic America submits this letter in support of HB 1491, which strengthens siting standards for major electrical transmission lines in Virginia. The letter explains how the bill’s routing guardrails protect communities, scenic landscapes, open space, wildlife, and property values while still allowing flexibility where alternatives are limited. It highlights the long‑term impacts of poorly sited transmission lines, the economic and ecological importance of avoiding sensitive areas, and the benefits of clear siting expectations for reducing conflicts and delays. Scenic America urges the subcommittee to advance HB 1491 as a practical, community‑focused approach to responsible grid planning.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I've been a resident of Loudoun Valley Estates for the past twenty years. But the power company has proposed to installed a 185 feet tall monopole carrying a 500kv powerline in the middle of my backyard. The wires are less than 100 feet from my house and neighbor’s houses. These pose serious safety and health risks to my family and all residents of Ashburn. And this line as it is stands is in violation of the Housing and Urban Development guideline: the distance between a High-Voltage Power Line and a Non-Participating landowner’s property line shall be not less than 2.5 times the tower height -- in our case it’s should be 462.5 feet away from residential properties. The Golden to Mars project also violates our constitution rights, Article XI. Conservation; To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources. What the power company threatens to do is cut down thousands of mature trees in 100-foot wide, 8-miles long stretch and install 185 feet tall poles right next to the Broad Run River, destroying our forest, wildlife habitat, and polluting our water and air all along the river and the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed. Please support HB1491 and HB1487, and put citizen safety ahead of corporate greed. It is the right thing to do, because what we need most now is future-forward, people-first thinking.

I am writing in support of HB1487 and HB1491. I am in favor of moving transmission lines underground especially when they pass near homes. If these power lines were built before the homes were built the home owners would be making a conscious decision to buy homes near them. However do build these power lines so many years after people are well settled in these Ashburn communities is very unfair to all those property owners given the home could be their largest investment. Please vote in favor of these two bills - HB1487 and HB1491.

Here is the sample written comment. Please edit as needed, or just submit verbatim. Lets get as many as possible to submit: I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487. These bills address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. These bills require the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requesting the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

My name is Madison Taggart and I’ve lived in Loudoun Valley Estates for almost all my life. The power company has proposed to installed a 185 feet tall monopole carrying a 500kv power line in the middle of my backyard. The wires are less than 100 feet from my house and neighbor’s houses, posing serious safety and health risks to my family and all residents of Ashburn, and like all the other proposed lines the power company has suggested cause unneeded damage without regard for the wellbeing of the public. This proposed high-voltage power line is in violation of the Housing and Urban Development guideline which clearly states the distance between a High-Voltage Power Line and a Non-Participating landowner’s property line shall be not less than 2.5 times the tower height -- in our case these lines should be 462.5 feet away from residential property lines instead under 100 feet away from where we'd stand on the deck on the inside of our property. The Golden to Mars project also violates our constitution rights, specifically Article XI. Conservation. It states that people must have clean air, pure water, and the ability to use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources. What the power company threatens to do is cut down thousands of mature trees in 100-foot wide, 8-miles long stretch and install 185 feet tall poles right next to the Broad Run River. This will destroy our forest, displacing hundreds of native animals and killing native plants like mature dogwood, oaks, and cedar. The presence of poles so close to vulnerable river beds will also inevitably pollute our water and air all along the river and the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed, worsening quality of life for everyone in the area. The reckless, poorly-planned infrastructure taking over our county must be stopped, and properly regulated so that no one is forced to sacrifice their homes for a project that doesn't directly benefit them. Please support HB1491 and HB1487, and put citizen safety ahead of corporate greed. It is the right thing to do, because what we need most now is future-forward, people-first thinking.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Members of the Virginia House, My name is Min Pak, and I am writing as a homeowner, a parent, and a deeply concerned member of this community. The proposed placement of a 500-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line just 145 feet from my home has forced my family and many others to confront risks we never imagined when we chose our neighborhood as a safe place to raise our children. These bills are not about stopping progress. Virginia needs reliable energy infrastructure to support growth. But progress must be pursued responsibly and with respect for the people who will live with the consequences long after construction is complete. HB1491 establishes reasonable distance protections between massive transmission lines and homes, schools, parks, and places of worship. No family should have to wonder whether infrastructure built practically in their backyard could impact their health, safety, or financial stability. When alternatives exist, placing these lines so close to residential communities is neither necessary nor justifiable. HB1487 moves Virginia toward smarter infrastructure by expanding the opportunity for underground transmission in residential areas. Undergrounding is not simply an aesthetic preference — it is an investment in resilience, safety, and long-term community preservation. Responsible planning today prevents irreversible harm tomorrow. The impact for families are profound: Health and peace of mind: Parents should not have to live with persistent fear about potential long-term impacts on their children. Financial security: For most families, a home is their largest investment. Significant property value loss can erase years of savings and stability through no fault of the homeowner. Community integrity: Established neighborhoods should not bear disproportionate burdens for infrastructure that serves broader commercial demand. Virginia has long recognized that infrastructure decisions must protect the public interest and minimize harm wherever possible. Passing these bills affirms that principle. It signals that the Commonwealth values thoughtful planning over convenience and people over expediency. This is ultimately a question of fairness. Families like mine followed the rules, invested in our communities, and trusted that our homes would remain places of safety. We are not asking for special treatment — only for reasonable protections and modern solutions that reflect the realities of today’s growing communities. You have the opportunity to ensure that Virginia’s growth does not come at the expense of the very families who make our communities strong. By supporting HB1487 and HB1491, you are choosing balanced progress — infrastructure that meets demand while safeguarding health, homes, and neighborhoods. I urge you to stand with Virginia families and pass these critical bills. Respectfully, Min Pak

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Dear Members of the Committee, I am writing with urgency and deep concern to urge your support for HB1491 and HB1487. For Loudoun County and communities across Northern Virginia, these bills are not theoretical policy debates—they are about protecting neighborhoods, families, and the future of some of the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing and most vibrant communities. Northern Virginia is home to thousands of families who have invested their lives, savings, and hopes in their communities. Parents expect their children to attend schools free from unnecessary environmental and health risks. Homeowners expect that careful local planning will be respected. Yet too often, high-voltage transmission projects are proposed in ways that place massive infrastructure directly through residential neighborhoods simply because it is the easiest or cheapest route. HB1491 represents a critical shift toward fairness and responsibility. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection—and to avoid routing transmission lines near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists—the bill puts people before convenience. It ensures that Loudoun’s comprehensive plans, shaped through years of public engagement and thoughtful growth management, are treated as meaningful guides rather than obstacles to be ignored. HB1487 offers Northern Virginia a forward-looking path. Expanding the underground transmission pilot program recognizes that in dense, rapidly developing regions like ours, traditional overhead lines are not always the only or best option. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be built underground where technically feasible—while requiring transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility—gives Virginia real data and real experience. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures that future decisions affecting Loudoun and Northern Virginia are grounded in evidence, not assumptions. Taken together, these bills send a clear message: Loudoun County and Northern Virginia communities should not be treated as the default corridor for major transmission infrastructure simply because they are growing and politically convenient. These bills do not halt needed energy projects. They demand that alternatives be seriously considered and that communities are not treated as the path of least resistance. The choices you make today will shape the character, health, and livability of Northern Virginia for generations. Families in Loudoun County are paying attention. They are asking for leadership that recognizes that infrastructure should serve communities—not sacrifice them. I respectfully urge you to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Loudoun County and Northern Virginia deserve thoughtful, people-centered planning that reflects both our growth and our values. Thank you for your time and your commitment to the communities you represent. Respectfully, Debra A Smith Loudon County Resident

HB1491 and HB 1487 bills, taken together, recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing in strong support of HB1491 and HB1487, two bills that responsibly modernize how high‑voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 creates clearer, more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kV and above. By requiring the State Corporation Commission to explicitly prioritize public health, safety, environmental protection, and meaningful avoidance of homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, the bill brings much‑needed balance and common sense to infrastructure planning. These standards better reflect how communities actually live and grow, and they align transmission siting with local comprehensive plans developed through public input. HB1487 complements this approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing a limited number of qualifying 500 kV projects to be built underground—where technically feasible and supported by transparent costs, local engagement, and shared financial responsibility—will give the Commonwealth real‑world data and experience. Extending the reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are guided by long‑term evidence rather than assumptions. Together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest path for major transmission infrastructure. They do not impede necessary projects; instead, they ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I respectfully urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487 and the more responsible approach they take to siting high-voltage electric transmission infrastructure. These bills introduce needed clarity and discipline into a process that too often defaults to the most convenient option. HB1491 makes clear that public health, safety, and environmental impacts must be given real weight, and that residential neighborhoods should not be treated as the easiest or automatic corridor for major transmission lines unless no reasonable alternative exists. That is a straightforward expectation of sound planning. HB1487 takes a practical, forward-looking step by expanding the underground transmission pilot program. Allowing a limited number of qualifying projects to be built underground where technically feasible, with cost transparency and shared financial responsibility, creates an opportunity to evaluate undergrounding based on real-world results. Extending reporting ensures that future decisions are informed by experience rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills do not prevent necessary infrastructure from moving forward. They require better analysis, better choices, and fairer treatment of affected communities. I urge the committee to advance HB1491 and HB1487. Sincerely, G K

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration. Thanks for your attention in this matter.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

I am a resident of LV II, and I strongly support HB1491 and HB1487. These bills recognize something that residents like me live with every day: our neighborhoods should not be the default place to run massive transmission lines. HB1491 puts common sense first by prioritizing public health, safety, and the protection of homes and schools when these projects are planned. HB1487 gives Virginia a chance to seriously explore underground transmission where it makes sense, instead of assuming overhead lines through communities are the only option. Gathering real data over time is the responsible way to make these decisions. We are not asking to stop progress—we are asking to be considered. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow them to move forward. Thank you for listening to the voices of residents like me.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited throughout Virginia(especially residential areas) HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. Which will affect in long run. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

By supporting HB1491 and HB1487, the Commonwealth has a vital opportunity to modernize its approach to energy infrastructure while prioritizing the well-being of its citizens. HB1491 shifts the current paradigm by requiring the State Corporation Commission to treat public health, safety, and local environmental standards as primary considerations rather than secondary concerns, effectively ensuring that high-voltage lines are no longer routed through sensitive residential or educational areas by default. This community-centric planning is perfectly balanced by the forward-looking provisions of HB1487, which utilizes a data-driven pilot program to explore the technical and financial viability of undergrounding 500 kV lines. Together, these measures do not impede necessary grid upgrades, but instead demand a more rigorous evaluation of alternatives to ensure that power transmission is achieved through innovation and shared responsibility rather than simply following the path of least resistance.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I support HB1491 and HB1487. High-voltage transmission infrastructure does not belong in residential neighborhoods, but communities are increasingly becoming the path of least resistance as demand grows. These towering structures introduce permanent visual pollution, transforming scenic vistas and quiet residential corridors into industrial zones, which can lead to a sharp decline in property values. Beyond aesthetics, there are valid concerns regarding the environmental footprint and the increased risk of wildfires sparked by line failures. Many advocates for opposition argue that instead of relying on outdated overhead technology, utilities should prioritize undergrounding cables or investing in decentralized, local renewable energy sources that respect the integrity of the local environment. My humble request is for the committee to support both bills. Thank you. A concerned Loudoun County Resident.

I am writing to express my support for HB1491 and HB1487, which address how high-voltage electric transmission lines are planned and sited in Virginia. HB1491 establishes clearer and more protective siting standards for transmission lines of 138 kilovolts or more. Requiring the State Corporation Commission to affirmatively prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection, and to avoid routing lines close to homes, schools, and other sensitive areas unless no feasible alternative exists, reflects a reasonable and common-sense approach to infrastructure planning. These standards better align transmission siting with how communities actually live and grow, and with local comprehensive plans developed through public process. HB1487 takes a complementary and forward-looking approach by expanding Virginia’s underground transmission pilot program. Allowing limited, qualifying 500 kV projects to be constructed underground where technically feasible - with cost transparency, local support, and shared financial responsibility - provides the Commonwealth with valuable real-world data and experience. Extending the pilot program’s reporting period through 2033 ensures that decisions about undergrounding are informed by long-term evidence rather than assumptions. Taken together, these bills recognize that residential communities should not be treated as the default or easiest place to run major transmission infrastructure. They do not stop needed projects, but they do ensure that alternatives are genuinely evaluated and that communities are not simply the path of least resistance. I urge the committee to support HB1491 and HB1487 and allow both bills to advance. Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration.

WE CANNOT HAVE THESE LINES ANYWHERE NEAR OUR HOMES! Not only for the value of properties being jeopardized, but also the safety of our families. We work too hard to enjoy our lives and not subject ourselves to health risks that could be prevented. It is not as if we are purposely looking to do damage to our bodies - this is damage being brought to us, and more importantly, it's preventable.