About the Northampton
Reliability Project
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) is planning for new transmission infrastructure on the Eastern Shore. ODEC is constructing a new transmission line and replacing the existing transmission line in Northampton County to meet capacity and reliability requirements for the area. The project is an essential upgrade to the electric system and will provide increased reliability and system resiliency to the community.
About ODEC
ODEC is the region’s not-for-profit power generation and transmission electric cooperative and has been supplying A&N Electric Cooperative (ANEC) its power since 1983. ANEC maintains the existing Eastern Shore transmission line and rights-of-way on behalf of ODEC but is not part of this construction project.
Improving Our Lines to Improve Your Service
What?
The electric transmission lines in Northampton County are 50-60 years old and in need of updating. The existing line will be replaced, and a second parallel line will be installed, all within the existing rights-of-way. The project should take about 4 years to complete.
Where?
The lines run 20.7 miles in Northampton County, from the Kellam Substation outside Exmore, VA south to the Cheriton Substation in Cheriton, VA.
Why?
The project has been deemed a needed upgrade to the electric system for the area to address local reliability needs and the age of the existing circuit. About three-quarters of the existing lines were built in the early 1960s.
This map is intended to serve as a representation of the project area and is not intended for detailed engineering purposes.
How is the project funded?
Funding for the construction of this project will come from ODEC. Those costs will then be spread across all customers in the Delmarva Transmission Zone, which covers the entire Eastern Shore up to the Pennsylvania border. Cost will be recovered over the life of the transmission facilities.
What kind of structures will the line use?
ODEC will use new, weathering steel, single pole structures for the new lines, replacing the existing two-pole braced H-frame wooden structures. The new poles will be standalone, near the existing structures, and about 25 feet higher than the existing poles. Both lines will be constructed at the same time to avoid power disruptions, reduce community impacts during construction, and manage construction costs. Once the new lines are in service, the existing H-frame structures will be removed, and the work areas restored.
Project Rederings
Before
Structure 81 Looking North- Existing
During
During Construction
After
Proposed Final
Star indicates location of renderings.
Where can I get more information?
As a cooperative, ODEC prioritizes community engagement and involvement in this process. ODEC is committed to providing safe, affordable, reliable, and sustainable power to the 11 local electric cooperatives we serve, including ANEC and the other 10 across Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
Check back for more information, including project announcements, or email esva-reliability@odec.com with your questions or comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
ODEC is a not-for-profit wholesale generation and transmission electric cooperative owned exclusively by 11 not-for-profit local electric cooperatives that serve 1.5 million people in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, including A&N Electric Cooperative (ANEC).
ODEC owns 110 miles of high-voltage transmission lines on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. ANEC maintains the transmission lines and rights-of-way on behalf of ODEC. However, ANEC will not lead or construct this project.
ODEC will be replacing the existing line and adding a second, parallel line all within the existing rights-of-way to improve the reliability and resiliency of these transmission facilities.
The existing facilities are 50-60 years old. This upgrade is essential to maintain quality service and will improve reliability.
The need for this transmission project upgrade was determined by ODEC and reviewed by the independent regional electric transmission planning organization, PJM Interconnection. Transmission upgrades, expansions or enhancements are intended to address local reliability needs, such as customer service and load growth, equipment age and condition, operational performance and risk, and infrastructure resilience.
Transmission lines are power lines facilitating the bulk transfer of high-voltage electricity from power plants to electrical substations located near concentrations of consumers. ODEC provides high-voltage electricity to ANEC’s substations through ODEC’s transmission system on the Eastern Shore. ANEC converts electricity into lower voltages and delivers it to members’ homes and businesses.
You can recognize these high-voltage transmission lines by the taller steel, concrete or wooden pole structures that are typically on long, straight and uninterrupted routes.
Funding for the construction of this project will come from ODEC. Those costs will then be spread across all customers in the Delmarva Transmission Zone, which covers the entire Eastern Shore up to the Pennsylvania border. Cost will be recovered over the life of the transmission facilities.
The transmission lines being replaced and upgraded serve ANEC members in Northampton County.
Yes, extensive engineering studies are looking at the best way to mitigate impacts to landowners, the community, and the environment.
ODEC is directly contacting affected landowners to alert them to the project and to gather additional information used for the detailed design of the transmission lines.
Both transmission lines will be constructed entirely within existing rights-of-way, and construction access will be contained within the rights-of-way to the greatest extent possible.
ODEC is working closely with environmental engineers to incorporate best practices in both the design of the new lines and the construction. Care has been taken to minimize wetland impacts during construction, and there will be no permanent wetland impacts. The design considers plant and animal species that may inhabit the project vicinity.
ODEC will use new, weathering steel, single pole structures for the new lines, replacing the existing two-pole braced H-frame wooden structures. The new poles will be standalone, near the existing structures, and about 25 feet higher than the existing poles. Both lines will be constructed at the same time to avoid power disruptions, reduce community impacts during construction, and manage construction costs. Once the new lines are in service, the existing H-frame structures will be removed, and the work areas restored.
ODEC has reviewed this project with PJM, the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Northampton County officials.
ODEC plans to complete design and permitting in 2024 after engaging with the community and affected landowners in November 2023. Construction is expected to begin in late 2024, with anticipated project completion in 2027.
Representatives from ODEC’s project team will host two open houses to provide information to, and receive comments from, the public. We will set up information stations so you can come talk to experts on topics of interest to you. These will be at the following times and locations:
Northampton Reliability Project Open House Meetings
Thursday, November 30, 1 – 3 p.m.
Northampton Fire & Rescue
10239 Pine Avenue, Nassawadox, VA 23413
Thursday, November 30, 5 – 7 p.m.
Cape Charles Fire Company
501 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles, VA 23310
At any point in the process, you can email general project comments or questions to
esva-reliability@odec.com. You can also email easement-specific inquiries to ODEC’s supporting engineering firm at joey.robinson@stantec.com, or call (804) 822-1078. As a member-owned cooperative, ODEC prioritizes member engagement and involvement in this process.