Energy infrastructure projects often generate questions and concerns. ASCEND is committed to providing accurate, fact-based information grounded in data, research, and expert analysis, and combating widespread misinformation and falsehoods regarding energy infrastructure.
The fact checks below address the most common claims surrounding energy infrastructure and provide additional context to help inform public discussion.
Click on a false claim below to reveal the facts and learn more:
False Claim
The existing electric grid can reliably meet demand without new transmission lines.
Reality
Virginia’s electricity demand is growing rapidly. New transmission infrastructure is needed to maintain reliability and ensure electricity can be delivered safely and reliably where it’s needed.
False Claim
Farmers won’t be able to continue using their land after a transmission line is built.
Reality
Thousands of miles of transmission lines cross working farms across the country. Most agricultural activities continue after construction while the transmission system provides reliable electricity to communities throughout the region.
False Claim
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) from transmission lines pose a significant health risk.
Reality
EMF is produced by many everyday sources. Decades of scientific research have not established that EMF from transmission lines causes adverse health effects, and transmission infrastructure continues to safely and reliably serve communities across North America.
False Claim
Transmission infrastructure in Virginia is a danger to the state’s natural resources.
Reality
Every transmission project undergoes extensive environmental review by multiple state and federal agencies to help protect Virginia’s natural resources while maintaining a reliable electric grid.
False Claim
High-voltage transmission lines should simply be built underground.
Reality
Underground construction for extra-high-voltage transmission is significantly more complex, costly, and difficult to maintain than overhead construction. Overhead lines remain the proven industry standard for maintaining reliable bulk power transmission.
False Claim
We can just lower the voltage and bury transmission lines instead.
Reality
Lower-voltage lines carry less electricity, requiring many more lines to move the same amount of power. That means more infrastructure, greater costs, larger land impacts, and a less efficient transmission system.
False Claim
We don't need new transmission lines because we haven’t had widespread blackouts.
Reality
The purpose of transmission planning is to maintain reliability before problems occur. New infrastructure is built years in advance so the grid remains reliable as electricity demand grows.
False Claim
We should wait until demand actually materializes before building new transmission.
Reality
Major transmission projects take years to plan, permit, and construct. Waiting until reliability problems occur would leave the grid unable to keep pace with growing demand.
False Claim
New transmission lines are only being built to serve data centers.
Reality
Data centers are one contributor to growing electricity demand, but they are not the only one. Population growth, manufacturing, healthcare, schools, businesses, and new technologies are also increasing demand. New transmission projects are planned to maintain reliability for all electric customers.
False Claim
Stopping transmission projects will stop data center development.
Reality
Transmission planning and local land-use decisions are separate processes. Local governments decide whether to approve new development, while transmission projects are planned to maintain grid reliability and serve approved and forecasted electricity demand.
False Claim
Transmission projects are about economic development, not reliability.
Reality
Reliability is the primary reason new transmission projects are built. A reliable electric grid also supports economic growth, but dependable electric service is the core objective.
False Claim
Transmission lines should always follow existing highways.
Reality