The Loudoun County (Virginia) school board has voted against allowing Dominion Energy to run overhead power lines on the campus of Rock Ridge High School and Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School in Ashburn.
The school board is asking the power company to install underground lines instead.
Dominion created the "Golden to Mars" power lines project to meet future demands. Its plan calls for building power lines about 100 to 185 feet high.
LoudounNow.com reports that school board members pushed even harder for underground options after hearing dozens of speakers raise concerns about the potential health effects on students and staff members from long-term exposure to transmission lines along school property.
"I'm a school board member that cares about the health and safety of our students, and as a school board member it is my duty to not be pressured into voting for something that I feel is a safety hazard and will affect thousands of people," said board member Deana Griffiths.
The board voted 8 to 1 to reject the above-ground power lines. Its motion stated that it supports the continued exploration of underground options and opposes all above-ground transmission lines on school properties.
