The Importance of Being Virginian
Most people are aware of Virginia’s rich history. It is the landing place, and location of Captain John Smith’s settlement 400 years ago; the location of two of the country’s oldest, and most prestigious colleges – William and Mary, est. in 1693, and the University of Virginia, est. by Thomas Jefferson in 1812; the home of numerous historical figures including George Washington, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee; and hosted some of the most important battles of the Civil War – Appomattox, Manassas/Bull Run, etc.
Because Virginia, also called “the Old Dominion,” was one of the first places settled by colonists, there are many historical landmarks, both in the form of buildings, and locations marked by signs stating their historical significance. As you drive along the back roads of Horse Country (Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties) you will see rolling hills and fields dotted with cattle, horses, and sheep; wildlife such as deer, bald eagles, squirrels, foxes, bobcats, and even black bears; the blue ridge mountains; rivers such as the Shenandoah; vineyards; and huge old estate houses that will blast you (mentally) back to Gone with the Wind. And, if you happen to visit in autumn, you will be joining many tourists in the trek along the area’s back roads for a glimpse at the beautiful fall foliage. It is a beautiful region, often likened to Europe in appearance and lifestyle.
Trying to Ruin the Old Dominion
Now, after picturing this beautiful place, imagine driving along country roads to find that there are now 150-foot towers supporting power lines everywhere you look. Drive down to the birthplace of John Marshall, fourth Chief Justice of the United States, and see one of these towers directly in front of his birthplace – a beautiful colonial mansion surrounded by fields of Angus cattle. Continue east or west and see that power line cat’s-cradle everywhere you go. As you drive you will probably notice vacant houses with “For Sale” signs out front.
This is only a glimpse of what will happen if Dominion Power and Allegheny Power are allowed to carry out their plan to build these power lines across this region of Northern Virginia. This does not include the detrimental effects the power lines will have to the land value, or to the health, of those citizens living nearby.
Dominion has certainly lived up to its name. At the root of this plan to build towers on landowner’s territory is the principal of “eminent domain,” which, according to the American Heritage Dictionary means: “The right of a government to appropriate private property for public use, usually with compensation to the owner.” Dominion is appealing to the government in order to get the right to take land from Virginians. If allowed to follow through, they would pay landowner a minimal fee in return for ruining their land, and the land around them.
Another Major Side Effect
So imagine the power lines get built. We go about our daily lives trying to ignore the towers in our yards and the loud crackle of the power lines that is augmented by humidity and rain. Some of us try to sell our homes and land in search of something uncorrupted, but will probably have to settle for a price much smaller than if the towers were not present. Those of us who stay eventually learn to live with new landscape and eventually our rage dissipates somewhat.
Fast-forward ten years and check the leukemia and cancer rates among the citizens, especially children, of Fauquier County. Chances are Fauquier has a much higher rate of cancer, leukemia, and depression than it did in 2005. Proximity to such power lines have been proven a likely cause of almost 1/3 of the incidences of leukemia, cancer in both children and adults, depression, and even 1/10 of miscarriages, according to the UN’s World Health Organization and other specialists.
The Good News
The good news is that this hasn’t happened yet. The power line plan is still being negotiated and many citizens are standing up to fight Dominion. Virginia still has it’s beautiful countryside that can trick a visitor into thinking he has been transported to Western Europe, and the important historical landmarks have not yet been ruined. Now is the time for people of all ages and locations to take up in the fight for, not because we are protecting Virginia’s citizens and history, but because that history is important to the evolution of our entire country, and those Virginia citizens are also citizens of the United States of America.
The Piedmont Environmental Council is actively fighting Dominion Power and their website provides ways for citizens (of all states) to help protect Virginia. Please visit pecva.org to learn how you can join in the fight.
