Breaking News: Federal Appeals Court Ruling Rejects Dominion Energy’s Permit for James River Transmission Towers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled today that the Army Corps of Engineers failed to follow the federal legal requirements in deciding to permit Dominion Energy to build a massive power line and 17 towers across the James River at Jamestown. The court vacated Dominion Energy’s permit and directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The towers were energized earlier this week.

Paul Edmondson, interim president and CEO, National Trust for Historic Preservation:
“Preserving the James River and powering the surrounding region aren’t mutually exclusive. Had the Army Corps followed the law, a project alternative that delivers power and preserves this nationally significant landscape could have been identified. We remain committed to seeing these towers removed.”

Elizabeth Kostelny, CEO, Preservation Virginia:
“Our coalition maintained throughout the process that the James River’s iconic indigenous cultural landscape and the integrity of the views from Jamestown, the Colonial Parkway and Carter’s Grove could be preserved and electric power could be delivered to the Peninsula. This ruling will protect the integrity of historic places in the future.”