In Wise County, Virginia, residents are gearing up to cast their votes next week, not only for state and local officials but also on a significant decision regarding a new electric authority proposal for the area.

Earlier this year, the Wise County Board of Supervisors and the Public Service Authority decided to include a referendum on the ballot, as highlighted by County Administrator Michael Hatfield.

“We considered establishing an electric authority to support groups interested in using behind-the-meter electrical generation methods, such as solar and mainly gas,” Hatfield explained. “This initiative could help us bypass existing electric companies, which have limited capacity, particularly in Wise County.”

Hatfield clarified that passing the referendum would not instantaneously establish an electric authority. Instead, it would authorize the county to create one when deemed necessary and allow the county to engage in the authority.

“This is merely a strategic option, to be utilized only if it proves essential for an economic development initiative,” Hatfield stated. “The authority would function similarly to the IDA. We would set it up and appoint its members, but our board members or staff wouldn’t be part of it. We believe that including our members would better serve our clients if we use it as a tool for economic development.”

“While we wouldn’t exert full control, we could have representation similar to what we have with the PSA,” Hatfield added.

Hatfield said if the authority is ever created, it would be used to bring in new businesses, such as a data center or industry, and would have no impact on the existing power suppliers in Wise County.

“Where our primary development areas are run by Old Dominion Power, which is a subsidiary of Kentucky Utilities and Appalachian Power, but it’s primarily on the eastern side of the county – not in areas where we’re looking for development,” Hatfield said. “Actually, both companies are in support of the referendum. They understand they don’t have sufficient power to provide the needs should we get a data center or a manufacturer that needs considerable power.”

Hatfield also said the electric authority would have no impact on residents since they would not be taking over either of the current power providers.

“Everything that we would do would be behind the meter and would be paid for completely by the commercial entity that we would be supplying power for,” Hatfield said. “We have no desire to take over the operation of either the systems that are here and provide power to the local residents.

“This will not raise taxes because, again, the entity we’re supplying the power to will be totally responsible for paying for it. We would not create the authority without an agreement with the entity that they would pay for it.”

Hatfield also said if the referendum is passed and the county decides to create an authority in the future, residents would still be able to voice their concerns.

“If we elect to do it, we will put together an ordinance, which will go before our board one month to set the public hearing, and then the next month, the public hearing would happen,” Hatfield said. “So, citizens would have plenty of opportunity to prepare if they’re for or against the creation.”

News Channel 11 did reach out to several residents of Wise County to get their thoughts on the referendum; however, they all declined an interview. 

Voting in Virginia takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4. A copy of the sample ballot for Wise County can be found HERE.