‘Straight-foward’ project involves 13.8 miles of existing Page-Sperryville electric transmission line and existing right-of-ways
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Nov. 7 — After more than four decades of wear-and-tear from the elements, a regional energy provider is making final plans to rebuild the infrastructure for the Page-Sperryville 138-kilovolt transmission line. Potomac Edison Company (owned by FirstEnergy) plans to begin the $46 million rebuild project in late 2026.
“We will be replacing approximately 300 wooden pole structures with new steel monopoles. These more durable structures will make the line more resilient, and it will be better able to withstand the effects of extreme weather,” FirstEnergy spokesman Will Boye told PVN during a Nov. 7 public meeting on the project at the Luray Fire Hall.
While FirstEnergy experts in various fields filled the local fire hall earlier this month (nearly 30), there were few residents approaching the various information stations to ask questions about the seemingly routine project that doesn’t expand or alter its footprint.
“Most of these [wooden] poles are 40 years old…and they are in declining condition due to age and exposure to the elements… We are always monitoring our equipment, and these [poles] are nearing the end of life,” Boye said. “The project is going to reduce the amount of unplanned outages due to equipment failure. We feel it’s a pretty straight-forward project using existing right-of-ways, which minimizes community impact.”
According to a notice announcing the Nov. 7 public meeting in Luray, the need for rebuilding 13.8 miles of the existing transmission line is “due to the condition of the line” and it will “enhance service reliability” to customers in Page and Rappahannock counties. Existing structures and wire will be removed and replaced with new structures and new conductors. The project also includes additional upgrades within existing Page and Sperryville substations to “better uphold reliable electrical deliverability.”
“Rebuilding the line will help ensure the future reliability of Potomac Edison’s transmission system in Virginia,” the public notice further states.
Potomac Edison will require additional vegetation easements, according to the notice, at select locations along the existing right-of-way. Those easements will be needed to mitigate the risks associated with the physical condition of the transmission line.
After tracking the condition of the line’s infrastructure and the number of poles needing to be replaced, the decision to move forward with the rebuild project was made two years ago. Now that planning and coordination between various departments have worked their way through internal circuits, the public was offered an opportunity to comment on final plans earlier this month.
The project falls under the jurisdiction of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VASCC). The public notice indicates that in order to construct, operate and maintain the project, “Potomac Edison must first obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the VASCC in addition to certain other permits and authorizations.”
The 18-month project expected to begin in late 2026 should conclude in spring of 2028.
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To review Potomac Edison’s Page-Sperryville 138-Kilovolt Transmission Line Rebuild Project, visit https://www.firstenergycorp.com/about/transmission_projects/virginia.html
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The public may contact Potomac Edison with any questions about the project
via email at transmissionprojects@firstenergycorp.com
or via phone at 1-888-311-4737.
Written comments or questions about the project may also be added to the interactive mapping found on the project website listed above, or directly submitted to — FirstEnergy Service Company, Attention: Page-Sperryville 138-kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project Team, 76 S. Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44308.
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