Opinion ID: 2794232
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Hearing Examiner's Report

Text: In August 2013, the Commission's Hearing Examiner issued a 178 page report that summarized the extensive record, analyzed the evidence and issues, and made numerous findings and recommendations for the Commission's consideration. As relevant here, after finding a need to upgrade Dominion's electric 10 system, the Hearing Examiner's express findings and recommendations included the following: • The [p]roposed Project is the least cost[ly] viable alternative for addressing the identified NERC reliability violations presented in this case, can be constructed in a timely manner, and is the best alternative in this case;[ 4] • The [p]roposed Project's overhead crossing of the James River will have a limited visual impact on one section of the Colonial Parkway and a very limited impact on a small portion of Jamestown Island. Overall, the [p]roposed Project will reasonably minimize the adverse impacts on the scenic assets, historic districts, and environments; • The route crossing the James River should follow James River Crossing Variation 4 on the condition that the [EDA] and Dominion . . . conclude a right- of-way agreement within three weeks of the Commission's final order. If such an agreement is not [so] concluded . . . then the route crossing the James River should be James River Crossing Variation 1; • The Commission may or may not decide to address whether Skiffes Creek Switching Station is a transmission line for purposes of [Code] § 56- 46.1[(F).] 4 In this regard, the Hearing Examiner found that [t]he [Chickahominy] [a]lternative [p]roject is a viable alternative, is electrically equivalent to the [p]roposed Project and can be constructed in a timely manner. However, the [Chickahominy] [a]lternative [p]roject has a higher cost than the [p]roposed Project and will have a greater impact on scenic assets, historic districts and the environment. The Hearing Examiner also found that [a]dditional generation . . . resolve[s] the identified NERC reliability violations, but at a significantly higher price and at a greater risk of failing to be completed by the date needed. 11 The Hearing Examiner therefore recommended that the Commission adopt the findings of the Report and grant the Application subject to the recommendations in the report.