Waasigan transmission line project

Project summary

Hydro One has been given approval under the Environmental Assessment Act to proceed with construction of:

• a new double-circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between the Lakehead Transformer Station in the Municipality of Shuniah and the Mackenzie Transformer Station in the Town of Atikokan
• a new single-circuit 230 kV transmission line between the Mackenzie Transformer Station and the Dryden Transformer Station in the City of Dryden

Learn more on the Hydro One website.

Proponent

Hydro One

Location

Northwestern Ontario (Thunder Bay to Dryden)

Type

Electricity transmission

Reference number

16055

Contact

Stephen Deneault, Environmental Assessment Branch

• Tel: 437-247-3443
• Toll-free: 1-800-461-6290
• stephen.deneault@ontario.ca

Project history

Environmental assessment: approved
Date submitted: November 17, 2023
Expiry of public comment period for ministry review: July 26, 2024
Decision date: September 26, 2024

Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: October 16, 2020
Expiry of public comment period: November 16, 2020
Decision date: February 18, 2022

Environmental assessment

Hydro One submitted its environmental assessment for the Waasigan transmission line project to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for review in November 2023. The preferred route was selected through a comparative analysis of the alternative routes identified in the terms of reference, which reflected feedback from public consultation.

An invitation to comment on the environmental assessment was posted on this webpage on November 17, 2023. Comments were accepted until January 19, 2024.

Based on the comments that were submitted during the environmental assessment review period from Indigenous communities, agencies, and affected landowners Hydro One revised its environmental assessment and re-submitted an amended environmental assessment to the ministry on May 1, 2024.

On June 21, 2024, we published the ministry review of the amended environmental assessment for Indigenous community, public and agency comment. A 5-week comment period for the review concluded on July 26, 2024.

After considering the amended environmental assessment, comments received and Hydro One’s proposed environmental protection measures, the ministry, with Cabinet concurrence, approved the project as described in the Waasigan transmission line project amended environmental assessment on September 26, 2024.

Hydro One may now proceed with implementing the project, subject to the conditions in the notice of approval and any other permits and approvals that may be required. Conditions of approval include:

• the general requirement to comply with the amended environmental assessment and commitments made
• ongoing consultation with Indigenous communities and government agencies during the development and implementation of site-specific mitigation measures
• documentation requirements with respect to the public record
• compliance monitoring provisions for the proponent
• preparing a complaints protocol to respond to all complaints received with respect to the project
• developing an Indigenous consultation plan and a regular reporting program for site-specific conditions in consultation with Indigenous communities
• the requirement for the proponent to apply for a variance to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Shebandowan Lake Management Plan to construct the project in close proximity to the Shebandowan Lake shoreline

Read the Order in Council and notice of approval.

Terms of reference

On February 18, 2022, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the amended terms of reference for this environmental assessment.

Notice of approval

Environmental Assessment Act subsection 6(4) approval of terms of reference for the preparation of an environmental assessment.

Proponent: Hydro One Networks Inc.

Undertaking: Waasigan Transmission Line Project

EA file number: EA-03-03-03

As provided for by subsection 6(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, the amended terms of reference submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on June 18, 2021 (amended terms of reference) to govern the preparation of an environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, is hereby approved.

Pursuant to subsection 6.1(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, any environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks pursuant to subsection 6.2(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, must be prepared in accordance with the terms of reference, as hereby approved.

Reasons

I am satisfied that an environmental assessment prepared in accordance with the amended terms of reference, will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

1. The amended terms of reference ensures that the environmental assessment will be completed using a comprehensive public, Indigenous and government agency consultation process that is open and transparent.
2. The amended terms of references provides adequate rationale for focusing the environmental assessment.
3. The amended terms of reference provides an appropriate level of detail to confirm that the completed environmental assessment should contain a sufficient level of detail to accurately assess the environmental effects of alternative transmission line routes and the preferred route.
4. The amended terms of reference sets out a planning process that will ensure the completed environmental assessment will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest.
5. There are no outstanding issues that have not been addressed in the amended terms of reference or that cannot be addressed during the preparation of the environmental assessment.

Dated the 18th day of February, 2022 at Toronto.

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5^th floor 
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2J3