Approvals
This project is subject to provincial Environmental Assessment Act approval in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities and also requires "Leave to Construct" approval under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act. Both processes are described below.
Ontario Energy Board Approval
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is the regulator of Ontario's natural gas and electricity industries. The OEB's role is to review a transmission project's effect on consumers with respect to price, reliability and quality of electricity service. The OEB review process also provides an opportunity for public input. For more information on the OEB, visit www.oeb.gov.on.ca.
The Class EA Process
The Class EA process has proven to be an effective way of ensuring that transmission projects with a predictable range of effects are planned and carried out in an environmentally acceptable manner.
Public consultation is an important part of the Class EA process. Following consultation on key aspects of the undertaking with member of the public, potentially affected property owners, government officials, Aboriginal organizations and other key stakeholders, Hydro One will make a draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) available for public review and comment. The draft ESR documents the alternatives considered and process followed, and presents Hydro One's recommendation for new and/or upgraded facilities and rationale for that recommendation based its analysis of environmental, socio-economic and technical considerations, as well as feedback received as part of its public consultation program.
The draft ESR is usually made available for public review for a period of 30 days. If no concerns are expressed during the review period, the project is considered to be acceptable. The final ESR is filed with the Ministry of the Environment and approval is granted.
If concerns are expressed during the 30-day review period, Hydro One will attempt to resolve them to complete the EA process. If Hydro One cannot satisfy all of the concerns, a stakeholder may submit a "bump-up" request for an Individual Environmental Assessment of the proposed undertaking. Hydro One would then consider whether a re-designation of the project is appropriate, and send its response, the draft ESR and the individual's bump-up request to the Minister of the Environment for a decision as to whether or not the project requires an Individual EA or if the project should be approved as proposed.
Final Environmental Study Report - July 2010
Download the Final Environmental Study Report with Appendices (PDF format - Adobe Reader required) for the Supply to Essex County Transmission Reinforcement Project below:
Draft Environmental Study Report - February 2010
Download the Draft Environmental Study Report with Appendices (PDF format - Adobe Reader required) for the Supply to Essex County Transmission Reinforcement Project below: