The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation
and Parks will now review and lead public consultations on the
final report
THUNDER
BAY, ON, Nov. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Hydro One Inc.
(Hydro One), with the support of nine First Nations partners, has
submitted the final Environmental Assessment Report to the Ministry
of Environment, Conservation and Parks for the Waasigan
Transmission Line project. To ensure the transmission line is built
with local interests in mind, Hydro One collected and responded to
feedback from Indigenous communities, government agencies, local
organizations, interest groups and residents before submitting the
final report to the Ministry for review and decision this fall.
"We are pleased to have reached another milestone in the
delivery of this critical project that is being developed in
partnership with nine local First Nations and will provide many
local economic benefits, attract jobs and support a clean energy
future in northwest Ontario," said
Sonny Karunakaran, Vice President,
Strategic Projects and Partnerships, Hydro One. "Over the course of
several years, Hydro One has heard and responded to feedback from
members of the community about the project, ensuring that local
community input is considered in the design, planning and
development of the project in a meaningful way as we prepare for
construction."
"Hydro One has demonstrated a willingness to work closely with
communities throughout this process by actively listening to our
comments and providing mitigation measures when possible," said
Rob Furgeson, Mayor of Atikokan. "We look forward to continuing to
work together and continue these conversations as the project moves
into construction."
The final Environmental Assessment Report details engagement
with the route selection process, identifies potential effects to
the natural and socio-economic environments and identifies measures
that will be used to avoid or minimize negative effects of the
project.
Based on direct feedback received during the review period,
Hydro One has committed to:
- Continue to work with residents to ensure those who want to
stay in their homes can.
- Avoid the use of herbicides to manage vegetation during
construction and future maintenance of the new transmission
line.
- Develop an Environmental Protection Plan and a Traditional Land
and Resource Use Management Plan.
- Implement monitoring programs, including an Indigenous
Monitoring Program to ensure mitigation measures are effective,
accurate and can be adapted based on feedback.
- Work with community members to address trespassing and
unauthorized access on the corridor.
- Mitigate visual effects and enhance local habitat for wildlife
by finding opportunities to allow compatible vegetation to grow on
the right-of-way.
The Waasigan Transmission Line is being built in partnership
with nine First Nations. They are Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation
and a consortium of eight First Nations who have formed
Gwayakocchigewin Limited Partnership to represent their ownership
in the Project including: Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake First
Nation), Fort William First Nation (Anemki Wajiw),
Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Ojibway Nation of Saugeen,
Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (Lac La Croix First Nation), Lac
Seul First Nation (Obishikokaang), Seine River First Nation
(Chima'aganing), and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (Waabigonii
Zaaga'igan).
Phase one of the Waasigan Transmission Line is a new
double-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from Lakehead
Transformer Station (TS) in the Municipality of Shuniah to
Mackenzie TS in the Town of Atikokan, to be in service as
close to the end of 2025 as possible. Phase two, a new
single-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from Mackenzie TS to
Dryden TS in the City of Dryden, is targeted to be in
service by the end of 2027. Both phases also include stations
enhancements to support energization of the new lines.
An application to construct the project was filed with the
Ontario Energy Board on July 31, 2023
and represents a $1.2 billion
infrastructure investment in the region. Completion of the line is
contingent on Indigenous and stakeholder consultation as well as
regulatory approvals.
To read the final report, and supplemental materials
visit hydroone.com/waasigan.
Hydro One Limited (TSX:
H)
Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is
Ontario's largest electricity
transmission and distribution provider with approximately 1.5
million valued customers, approximately $31.5 billion in assets as at December 31, 2022, and annual revenues in 2022 of
approximately $7.8 billion.
Our team of approximately 9,300 skilled and dedicated employees
proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system
which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities.
In 2022, Hydro One invested approximately $2.1 billion in its transmission and distribution
networks, and supported the economy through buying approximately
$1.9 billion of goods and
services.
We are committed to the communities where we live and work
through community investment, sustainability and diversity
initiatives. We are designated as a Sustainable Electricity Leader™
by Electricity Canada.
Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the TSX and
certain of Hydro One Inc.'s medium term notes are listed on the
NYSE. Additional information can be accessed at www.hydroone.com,
www.sedarplus.com or www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements and
Information:
This press release and the application and investment plan to
which it refers may contain "forward-looking information" within
the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as "expect",
"anticipate", "intend", "attempt", "may", "plan", "will", "can",
"believe", "seek", "estimate", and variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
information. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and
uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual
outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed,
implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of
the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by
such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions
used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro
One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in
Canada, which are available on
SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Hydro One does not intend, and it
disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking
information, except as required by law.
SOURCE Hydro One Inc.