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What Matters to You,
Matters to Us

What Matters to You:

EMF fields surround every item that carries or generates electricity.

What Matters to You:

Electric fields are produced by voltage and are present when electronic appliances are plugged in. Magnetic fields are produced by current and become present when electronic appliances are turned on.

What Matters to You:

Scientific organizations have found no causal links between EMF fields and adverse health effects.

What Matters to You:

Magnetic fields are commonly measured in units of gauss (G). Since most environmental EMF exposures involve magnetic fields that are only a fraction of a gauss, these are commonly measured in units of milligauss (mG). A milligauss is 1/1,000 of a gauss.

What Matters to You:

For new and proposed transmission lines, you can view Valley Link's EMF calculations in our State Corporation Commission applications.

What Matters to You:

The general public is unlikely to encounter EMF exposure levels above scientifically established guideline values.

What Matters to You:

For new and proposed transmission lines, you can view Valley Link's EMF calculations in our SCC applications.

Welcome

Use the previous and next options below to select the scene you would like to explore.

Click on the yellow circlee in each scene to view a first-person perspective of the scene with the 765kV transmission line.

To view detailed images of the structures along the route, select the "structures" option in the top-right.

INTRODUCTION

Valley link is committed to supplying electricity in a responsible and safe manner. This commitment includes balancing environmental issues, aesthetics, land use, safety, project costs and customer preferences, and addressing concerns about electric and magnetic fields (EMF).

We recognize community members may have health concerns related to power lines. This interactive website provides information in an easy-to-understand format. Valley link, like other utilities, relies on information from federal, state and international health agencies. When proposing new transmission lines, we include estimated EMF calculations as part of our regulatory filings. We also stay updated on the most current research to ensure we can quickly respond to emerging issues or concerns. Click here for links to reports from health experts.

INTRODUCTION

There has been on-going research on the potential health effects from EMF exposure since the late 1970s. Thousands of studies have been conducted on everything from household electrical sources, power lines operating at levels typically found in communities, to large machines operating in industrial settings.

INTRODUCTION

Federal, state, and international health, scientific, and governmental organizations have repeatedly evaluated this large body of research. To date, none of these organizations have found any conclusive evidence that potential EMF exposures cause or contribute to long-term adverse health effects.

INTRODUCTION

Electric and magnetic fields - sometimes referred to as electro-magnetic fields or lumped together as EMF with no distinction – are actually two separate fields. These fields are found wherever electricity is generated, transmitted, or used - such as power lines and everyday electronic appliances. EMF is constantly around us as part of our modern way of life.

WHAT ARE ELECTRIC AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS?

There are two types of fields associated with power lines and any other devices that carry or use electricity: electric fields and magnetic fields.

WHAT ARE ELECTRIC AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS?

Buildings, trees, shrubbery, fences, and other conductive materials significantly reduce electric fields. Also, electric field intensity decreases as distance from the source increases.

WHAT ARE ELECTRIC AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS?

Electric fields are produced by the voltage, or electrical pressure, on lines or in wiring. Electrical field strength increases as the voltage on power lines increases.

WHAT ARE ELECTRIC AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS?

Magnetic fields are produced by the flow of current through electrical wires. Magnetic strength increases as the current flowing through power lines increases. The strength of magnetic fields is not directly affected by voltage. Magnetic field intensity quickly decreases as distance increases.

WHAT ARE ELECTRIC AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS?

The levels of magnetic fields may be modified by their interaction with fields emitted from adjacent power lines.

MEASURING EMF

Electric fields are measured in volts per meter (V/m). Voltage is the pressure of the electricity flowing through the wires.

Electric fields are produced any time voltage is present; including when objects are plugged in, but not turned on.

Magnetic fields are measured in milligauss (mG) and are present only when the object is turned on.

For both electric and magnetic fields, the strength decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the source.

MEASURING EMF

Electric fields are significantly reduced by vegetation and building materials. Strength decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the source.

MEASURING EMF

Magnetic fields produce measurable readings in the home, and unlike electric fields, are not significantly reduced by other objects. Strength decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the source.

Click here to explore exposure levels in the home, or click here to explore typical EMF levels from power lines.

WHAT DOES RESEARCH TELL US ABOUT EMF?

Since the late 1970s, scientists around the world have conducted thousands of studies looking for relationships between EMF exposure and possible adverse health effects. The large body of research on EMF and health has been evaluated in valid scientific reviews by numerous national and international health, scientific, and governmental organizations. To date, none of these organizations have found any conclusive evidence that potential EMF exposures cause or contribute to long-term adverse health effects. These organizations include:
The World Health Organization (WHO)*
The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)*
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR)*
Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer - NCI

*Click blue link to view report

WHAT DOES RESEARCH TELL US ABOUT EMF?

Thousands of studies have been conducted on everything from household electrical sources, power lines operating at levels typically found in communities, to large machines operating in industrial settings.

WHAT DOES RESEARCH TELL US ABOUT EMF?

Federal, state, and international health, scientific, and governmental organizations have repeatedly evaluated this large body of research. This research includes epidemiological studies, in vivo studies, and in vitro studies.

WHAT DOES RESEARCH TELL US ABOUT EMF?

Studies that observe humans are called epidemiological studies.

WHAT DOES RESEARCH TELL US ABOUT EMF?

Laboratory studies of animals are called in vivo studies.

WHAT DOES RESEARCH TELL US ABOUT EMF?

Studies of isolated cells and tissues are called in vitro studies.

AVERAGE MAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE HOME

EMF is found wherever electricity is generated, transmitted, or used - such as power lines and everyday electronic appliances. EMF is constantly around us as part of our modern way of life. Below are readings based on scientific research, which focuses on magnetic fields. Electric fields are easily diffused as distance increases and are significantly reduced by common objects and structures. Most people in the United States are exposed to magnetic fields that average less than 2 milligauss (mG), although individual exposures vary.

CEILING FAN

Distance from Source

1 Foot 2 Feet 4 Feet
50mG 6mG 1mG

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

VACUUM CLEANER

Distance from Source

1 Foot 2 Feet 4 Feet
60mG 10mG 1mG

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

TELEVISION

Distance from Source

1 Foot 2 Feet 4 Feet
7mG 2mG --mG

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

TOASTER

Distance from Source

1 Foot 2 Feet 4 Feet
3mG --mG --mG

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

HAIR DRYER

Distance from Source

6 Inches 1 Foot 2 Feet 4 Feet
300mG 1mG --mG --mG

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Distance from Source

1 Foot 2 Feet 4 Feet
Microwave 40mG 10mG 2mG
Blender 10mG 2mG --mG
Drill 30mG 4mG --mG
Washer 7mG 1mG --mG

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

Typical EMF LEVELS FOR POWER LINES

Like household items, electric and magnetic fields from power lines rapidly decrease in intensity as distance from the source increases. Even from high voltage power lines, electric fields are significantly reduced by items such as trees, shrubs and walls.

TRANSMISSION LINES

Distance from Source

Distance Under Structure 50 Feet 100 Feet 200 Feet 300 Feet
115-kilovolt
Electric Fields (kV/M) 1.0 0.5 .07 .01 .003
Magnetic Fields (mG) 29.7 6.5 1.7 0.4 0.2
230-kilovolt
Electric Fields (kV/M) 2.0 1.5 0.3 0.05 0.01
Magnetic Fields (mG) 57.5 19.5 7.1 1.8 0.8
500-kilovolt
Electric Fields (kV/M) 7.0 3.0 1.0 0.3 0.1
Magnetic Fields (mG) 86.7 29.4 12.6 3.2 1.4

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

DISTRIBUTION LINES

Distance from Source

0 Foot 50 Feet 100 Feet 200 Feet
Magnetic
Fields		 20mG --mG --mG --mG

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

UNDERGROUND LINES

Undergrounding power lines may make electric field readings negligible; however, it does not eliminate magnetic fields. Magnetic field strength associated with underground lines will vary based on several factors, such as: proximity, voltage, and various mitigation methods. Some methods include phasing orientation and sub-surface composition.

Source: EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002
Click Here to View Source

Weather

Any low-frequency EMF emitted will diminish rapidly with distance from the source. It does not carry enough energy to affect atmospheric physics. Weather is primarily driven by air pressure systems, solar radiation, moisture and temperature gradients, and ocean currents. These cannot be influenced by substations or our transmission system.

Urban heat islands are the primary human influence on local weather.

New electric transmission infrastructure and additional substations do significantly improve reliability during extreme weather. So even with more extreme temperatures or more severe storms, these additional substations will create redundancy, prevent overloading, and allow for faster restoration times when there is trouble

Units are in MilliGauss (mG) - background levels, the levels we are commonly exposed to range from .1 to 4 mG. EMF levels for 230kV and 500kV lines, as well as 115kV

HAVE GOVERNMENT OR SCIENTIFIC AGENCIES SET LIMITS ON PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO MAGNETIC FIELDS?

Neither the state nor the federal government have set any standards for limiting exposure to EMF. Guidelines for workers and the general public were set by two international scientific organizations based on their review of relevant research and the reviews of other agencies. These guideline limits were set to prevent the only known and established health effects of exposure: acute, short-term effects may occur at very high exposure levels the general public is unlikely to encounter. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) recommends exposure limits for the general public of 2,000 milligauss (mG) for magnetic fields and 4.2 kilovolts per meter (kV/m) for electric fields.
The International Committee for Electromagnetic Safety (ICES) recommends limits for the general public of 9,040 mG for magnetic fields and 5 kV/m for electric fields.

International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz). Health Phys 99: 818-36, 2010.
International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES).
IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields 0 to 300 GHz. IEEE Std C95.1-2019, Oct. 2019.

DOES VALLEY LINK ENERGY CALCULATE POWER LINE EMF LEVELS?

Yes. Exposure to magnetic fields is calculated using the annual average amount of current flowing through the lines.

DOES VALLEY LINK ENERGY CALCULATE POWER LINE EMF LEVELS?

Throughout the year, the level of current fluctuates because of weather, temperature, load, etc. Average load is the most accurate way to estimate EMF exposure.

DOES VALLEY LINK ENERGY CALCULATE POWER LINE EMF LEVELS?

When submitting applications for proposed facilities to Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), Valley Link Energy includes EMF calculations.

DOES VALLEY LINK ENERGY CALCULATE POWER LINE EMF LEVELS?

Valley Link Energy sites and designs its facilities using accepted conservative practices to minimize any impact of EMF levels while balancing environmental, aesthetic and cost factors. This approach is consistent with recommendations of the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the WHO.

DOES VALLEY LINK ENERGY CALCULATE POWER LINE EMF LEVELS?

Adding more transmission lines in a right of way doesn’t necessarily increase EMF levels. EMF fields which interact with other fields may counteract one another. Valley Link Energy also designs its lines, where practicable, to reduce effective EMF emissions. Adding separate EMF levels associated with various transmission lines near one another is NOT an accurate method to estimate EMF levels from multiple lines.

Questions? Contact Valley Link's Electric Transmission Team

  • When submitting an application for a project with the SCC, Valley Link includes EMF projections.
    You can view these projections as well as the full SCC application on the project pages.
  • For Electric Transmission information: WebsiteURL
  • Phone: PhoneNumber or email: Website URL