Andrew Guerra Speech March 25, 2026
Introduction
Good evening everyone and thank you all for coming. It's great to see such a large turnout for our community and neighbors. My name is Andrew Guerra, and like many of you here today I am a resident of Louisa County. In addition to that though, I have experience working on both sides of projects like this. I have gone through the same process that Valley Link is going through right now and I have a strong understanding of how these projects work and who to voice our concerns to. Most importantly, I know how to push back against these projects.
I wanted to speak to everyone here tonight about a few different topics. First off, I want to give you a better understanding of what is happening. Second, I want to explain what we need to look out for over the next 6 months. Third, What can we do, and finally what can we realistically expect to happen here.
What is Happening (PJM, FERC, SCC, Public Necessity)
The first thing we need to look for is when they submit to the SCC for approval. They are requesting an expedited approval process for this, but Virginia has laws in place to make sure they don't skip any steps. This is our window to comment, push back, and rally together. There will be several chances for us to comment publicly in person, online, and formally through mail.
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The first step is for them to notify county and city officials of their intent to file. Contact your board members and county officials. Ensure that Valley Link is providing proper notice and that your representatives push back and share their disapproval at this stage. After this they will post their application online for public review at SCC.VIRGINIA.GOV. This is where we will get some additional answers to the questions we have been asking at these open houses. They are required to show us the financials of the project, routing options, potential impacts, and details of the project.
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The next step is our chance to get involved. The SCC will issue a procedural order, this is an opportunity where we can request formal participation in the case as a respondent. We can create joint representation, this doesn't have to be a law firm, but can be community representatives. Once formally requested, they must include us as a part of the process every step of the way going forward. We can log complaints, comments, ask for additional restrictions, submit signed petitions and present our case for why this project hurts us.
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Once the procedural order is in place and the department of environmental quality has issued their first report on the project, the public comment period will open. This can be done online or via mail. I recommend you do both. For every online submission, print it out and mail it in. This is typically a 30 day window. Its extremely important to generate as many comments as we can during this time. Reach out to friends, family, neighbors, anyone you can think of.
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Once the comment period has concluded they will have to start public hearings. These will take place in multiple counties and areas near the project. They will be required to address our concerns and comments in front of the SCC. After the public hearings, we will have one more opportunity to send additional comments. After this last public comment period closes, the project goes back to the jurisdictions and respondents. We will not have another opportunity as citizens to comment or push back.
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This process is confusing and complex, so one of my goals is to keep track of the events I just mentioned and make some guides as the process opens up and we learn more about the timeline.
What To Look Out For
The first thing we need to look for is when they submit to the SCC for approval. They are requesting an expedited approval process for this, but Virginia has laws in place to make sure they don't skip any steps. This is our window to comment, push back, and rally together. There will be several chances for us to comment publicly in person, online, and formally through mail.
​
The first step is for them to notify county and city officials of their intent to file. Contact your board members and county officials. Ensure that Valley Link is providing proper notice and that your representatives push back and share their disapproval at this stage. After this they will post their application online for public review at SCC.VIRGINIA.GOV. This is where we will get some additional answers to the questions we have been asking at these open houses. They are required to show us the financials of the project, routing options, potential impacts, and details of the project.
​
The next step is our chance to get involved. The SCC will issue a procedural order, this is an opportunity where we can request formal participation in the case as a respondent. We can create joint representation, this doesn't have to be a law firm, but can be community representatives. Once formally requested, they must include us as a part of the process every step of the way going forward. We can log complaints, comments, ask for additional restrictions, submit signed petitions and present our case for why this project hurts us.
​
Once the procedural order is in place and the department of environmental quality has issued their first report on the project, the public comment period will open. This can be done online or via mail. I recommend you do both. For every online submission, print it out and mail it in. This is typically a 30 day window. Its extremely important to generate as many comments as we can during this time. Reach out to friends, family, neighbors, anyone you can think of.
​
Once the comment period has concluded they will have to start public hearings. These will take place in multiple counties and areas near the project. They will be required to address our concerns and comments in front of the SCC. After the public hearings, we will have one more opportunity to send additional comments. After this last public comment period closes, the project goes back to the jurisdictions and respondents. We will not have another opportunity as citizens to comment or push back.
​
This process is confusing and complex, so one of my goals is to keep track of the events I just mentioned and make some guides as the process opens up and we learn more about the timeline.
What Can We Do
I have already gone through a lot of the process already and you must be asking yourselves, what can I do? Right away you can continue to contact your local representatives and ensure they are invested in fighting this. They have a large voice in the SCC approval process. They will also need to request to become respondents on the SCC Case.
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Ask Valley Link why they are not following existing easements and high voltage utility lines, the shortest path is not always the best path. They can spend a little bit more money and avoid creating negative impacts to our communities.
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Push your building departments to adopt a Conditional Use Permit for High Voltage Transmission lines. I wrote one and sent it to our board of supervisors here in Louisa. Request your building departments and representatives to reach out to Louisa County for it. If adopted by all counties it will show the SCC the concerns we have are serious, and in the event this goes through, the limitations will hopefully make things more favorable for the impacted residents.
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In our public comments we should all mention the Heritage to Mosby project. This is important because the Heritage to Mosby Transmission line is a proposed 525kv underground transmission line in Northern Virginia. I know many people in this room have asked why the Valley Link project can’t be underground and they keep telling us it's not possible. We need to continue to point out that they can put this line underground, just like they are doing on another project. Yes it’s more expensive, but why not make the entire state pay for the project, instead of us taking on the burden in our community. If they can afford to do it for the Heritage Mosby line, they can do it here as well.
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This line is being proposed because they can't produce enough energy in Northern Virginia to support the current demand. Why is it fair for them to fundamentally change the landscape of our communities to solve a problem they caused? Comment back that they need to increase the electrical generation capacity where they need it, not run it through our back yard.
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If you are one of the many landowners who fall directly on the transmission line's path, you have some additional options too. Consider forestry, land-use, conservation easement, or land trust. These easements have restrictions on the development of the property. It may allow you some additional resources through the easement or land trust to push back.
What To Expect
The last topic I wanted to talk to you about is what we can expect. Even if we do everything in our power, there is still a chance this project moves forward as proposed. Utility projects that are approved as public necessities are difficult to fight against. Our House and Senate representatives have been taking money from the backers of this project for the last few years, so they are unlikely to help, but we still need to reach out to them as their voices hold a lot of weight.
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A project that is approved as public necessity means this project can request eminent domain through PJM, FERC, and potentially the SCC if they agree as well.
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Given all of this, if we can't get this project moved out of our counties, let's do everything we can to push it underground so that we don't have to look at it for the rest of our lives.
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I will be available to answer any questions you may have after the remainder of the speakers this evening.
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Thank You
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