Golden To Mars Final Public Hearing Approaches: How Residents Can Participate

ASHBURN, VA — For residents who testified at the Golden to Mars power line public hearings in Ashburn, they will need to sign up for the Dec. 15 public hearing.

The State Corporation Commission is the decision maker for Dominion Energy's proposed new power lines project between the Golden and Mars substations. It is one of three projects Dominion Energy has pursued to meet the data center load in the Ashburn area, along with Wishing Star to Mars and Aspen to Golden.

There were two SCC hearings on the Golden to Mars power line project at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn during September. There will also be a public witness hearing by telephone at 10 a.m. on Dec. 15, followed by an evidentiary hearing at the SCC in Richmond.

To testify at the Dec. 15 hearing, those signed up for the Rock Ridge High School hearings would need to sign up again. The SCC informed a group of Loudoun Valley Estates residents fighting a power line route that September public hearing participants — even those that didn't get to speak — were not automatically registered for the Dec. 15 hearing.

SEE ALSO:

• Underground Power Line Route Proposed By Loudoun County, Others In Golden To Mars Case
• 'Setting Precedents': Ashburn Neighbors Fight New Power Line Route Proposal

The group of residents is encouraging public hearing speakers to register for the Dec. 15 hearing and for new residents to get involved. The deadline to sign up is 5 p.m. on Dec. 9. To sign up for the telephone hearing, visit the SCC's website and use case number PUR-2025-00056, or call the SCC at 804-371-9141 during business hours with your name and the phone number to be contacted for the hearing.

Residents may also submit written comments to the SCC by 5 p.m. on Dec. 9.

The SCC will decide the final route for the electric lines project. Dominion Energy has a map of proposed routes for Golden to Mars and other planned projects.