Court Allows Dominion Energy to Continue Construction of Massive Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown

Washington, D.C. –Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied the National Parks Conservation Association’s (NPCA) preliminary injunction request to halt construction of Dominion Energy’s massive power line across the James River at Jamestown. While noting that NPCA “made a powerful argument on the merits,” the Court found that NPCA would not suffer irreparable harm during the time period in which the court will review and resolve the merits of this case. This decision allows Dominion to proceed with construction of this project through one of America’s most historic regions. For more than 400 years, people have worked to protect this spot on the James River, to give visitors the same view and same sense of place those explorers had four centuries before when Captain John Smith and the Virginia Company Settlers landed to found the first permanent English settlement in North America.

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association

“For centuries, Jamestown has been a symbol of our country’s determination and innovation, and the place where American democracy was shaped. We are disappointed with the decision, but will continue to fight in court to protect Jamestown and nearby national park sites like Colonial National Historical Park from being destroyed by this unnecessary development. This project will rob future generations from experiencing this history as we all have, until now. In light of the court’s recognition that NPCA has set forth a powerful case, we remain confident that we will be victorious in this litigation.”

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the necessary permit for Dominion Energy to proceed with a highly controversial power line that would include building 17 obstructive transmission towers, some as tall as 295 feet, across the James River at historic Jamestown in Virginia. NPCA filed for a preliminary injunction as a part of its ongoing legal challenge against the Army Corps claiming the permit was granted without first conducting a thorough review of reasonable alternatives. The Army Corps also failed to conduct a transparent public process and comment period under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – violations that must be cured before the Corps can make a lawful determination as to whether, and under what conditions, this project may be constructed.

The construction of this project would deface Jamestown and nearby national park sites like Colonial National Historical Park, Colonial Parkway and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, which collectively protect more than 400 years of our shared American history. This project could also harm federally protected species including the Atlantic sturgeon.

NPCA is represented in this case by the public interest environmental law firm Meyer Glitzenstein & Eubanks LLP. More information about the years-long campaign to protect historic Jamestown is available here.

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About National Parks Conservation Association Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.

About Meyer Glitzenstein & Eubanks LLP Since 1993, Meyer Glitzenstein & Eubanks LLP has represented national, regional, and grassroots conservation organizations in federal litigation on issues of national importance.