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Frequently Asked Questions
+ Where exactly is the Midtown Power Corridor and what does it do?
The midtown power corridor refers to the high voltage overhead lines and underground cables running from the Leaside Transformer Station (TS) along the CP Rail tracks from Millwood Avenue in the east, to Bridgman TS. This essential transmission infrastructure delivers power at high voltage, which is then reduced in voltage and distributed to Toronto Hydro customers west of Mount Pleasant Road.
+ Why does this infrastructure need to be updated?
The transmission lines along the midtown power corridor were first built in the 1920s and the first underground cable was laid in 1954. This cable, running between Bayview Junction (Jct) (Bayview Heights/Moorehill Dr) and Birch Jct (Yonge/Summerhill) is more than fifty years old and nearing its end of life. As part of Hydro One’s regular maintenance program, it monitors underground cable conditions and replaces aging cables on a planned basis to avoid unwanted power interruptions. In addition, due to steady electricity load growth, the midtown power corridor has been operating above its reliability limit during peak periods, raising the risk of power interruptions in the future if additional transmission capacity is not provided. To minimize the disruption to your community, it makes sense to replace the cable and increase capacity at the same time.
+ Can’t you just do repairs and maintenance? Why do you need to increase capacity?
Despite increasing gains from conservation and demand management (CDM), which is a continuous focus of Toronto Hydro, customer demand continues to increase in the areas served by the midtown power corridor.
The power corridor is already operating beyond its reliably limit at times of peak demand. With no reserve capacity at peak times when the probability of cable failure is highest, the prospect of power interruptions is a distinct possibility should existing circuits be disabled for any reason. The recent power outage on January 15, 2009 affecting much of Toronto’s west end, for example, shows that prolonged power outages for customers can occur during the coldest or hottest days when equipment is stressed.
+ What about conservation? Can’t it fill the gap?
Toronto Hydro is aggressively pursuing conservation options. Conservation alone, however, will not fill the gap in demand resulting from a growing population and continued economic activity despite some slowing of the economy. Current demand reduction programs in the area are expected to yield savings of about 16 MW by 2017, which is equivalent to approximately 5500 customers. Studies show that we would need to reduce demand by an additional 16 MW to delay the work to 2017. The CDM effect would not reduce the demand on the corridor below its operating limit. In addition, CDM does not address the need to replace the aging cable.
+ Have you told our councillor about this project?
Ensuring that elected officials are aware of our plans is a critical part of how both Hydro One and Toronto Hydro operate their businesses. Hydro One and Toronto Hydro have briefed elected officials at all levels of government and will continue to discuss the project with City officials and residents.
+ Does anyone else see the need for this work?
With its mandate to transmit electricity safely, reliably and responsibly in mind, Hydro One applied to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) as part of its 2007/2008 Transmission Revenue Requirement and Rate Application, to recognize the need to refurbish the transmission infrastructure between the Leaside TS and Birch Jct. The OEB in its 2007 Decision recognized the refurbishment need in Midtown Toronto and the Interdependent Electricity System Operator also supports this need. Nonetheless, Hydro One’s final plan for the Midtown Project will still be reviewed under the Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities and an Environmental Study Report filed with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and requires a Leave to Construct (Section 92) approval from the OEB.
+ Have you considered building the new circuits somewhere else?
As part of the Class EA process, Hydro One will consider a number of reasonable route options. The midtown power corridor parallels the CP rail line thus providing a cost-effective approach by utilizing an existing right of way, which is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement that encourages the use of existing infrastructure before developing new corridors. Hydro One is working diligently with CP to explore and confirm the possibility of continuing to use its land for this project. Re-locating this infrastructure could be significantly more expensive, hinge on acquiring additional property rights, and have a higher potential to disrupt city streets. The final route selection will be part of the Class EA process, with input and review by members of the community and government agencies, including the Ministry of the Environment. The OEB will take the final preferred route into consideration as part of its decision on whether this project is in the public interest including the cost of the new transmission project.
+ We’re concerned about electro-magnetic fields (EMF) around high-voltage power lines.
Will increasing capacity increase EMF?
Hydro One recognizes that some members of the public have concerns about EMF and we will work to ensure that EMF levels are minimized where possible & practical. In areas of continuous public exposure, our objective for this project is to have levels remain at current levels or decrease. We are also working with Toronto Public Health to ensure we follow the guidelines set out in the City of Toronto Prudent Avoidance Policy.
For more than 30 years, research studies have examined questions about EMF and health. Health agencies, including Health Canada and a large number of reputable scientific organizations around the world have concluded that the scientific research does not demonstrate that EMF cause or contribute to adverse health effects.
However, some scientific questions remain and these are subject of ongoing research. At present, it is Health Canada’s position that there is no compelling scientific evidence that EMF in living and school environments, regardless of locations from power transmission lines, cause ill health such as cancer.
Our objective for this project is to maintain or lower the EMF levels in areas of continuous public exposure. In addition, we plan to follow the guidelines of City of Toronto Prudent Avoidance Policy for this project and also discuss our plans with Toronto Public Health.
+ How can you maintain or lower EMF levels if you’re adding a new circuit?
Optimal phasing can be used to reduce magnetic fields. The strength of a magnetic field is dependent on many factors such as the number and height of the conductors (wires), the amount of current flow, and the spacing of the conductors. By changing the order in which conductors are strung on a tower, the magnetic fields from one circuit will affect the magnetic field from the adjacent circuit. This reduces the overall EMF levels at ground level.
+ What are the current EMF levels along the midtown power corridor and those predicted for the future?
Hydro One has done EMF modelling for the various segments of the midtown power corridor. At this stage in the Midtown Project, a preferred route has not been selected, as such we cannot provide EMF modelling for future conditions. Once the preferred route is selected the EMF measurements will be shared upon request.
+ This line services customers living west of Mount Pleasant Avenue.
Why do we have to be inconvenienced for electricity we don’t even use?
The nature of transmission systems is that very often the lines closest to where we live are not the lines that actually deliver our power. Power destined for the Rosedale, Moore Park and Summerhill neighbourhoods is actually carried by high voltage lines that travel through neighbourhoods to the north and east. The midtown power corridor serves many homes, businesses and customers critical to the economic well-being of the city and these customers all deserve a reliable supply of electricity.
+ Does this mean you are taking down the big transmission towers on the south side of the railway
right of way in Rosedale?
No. Those towers are not involved in this project. Transmission towers typically have a lifespan of about 100 years and these towers are currently operating effectively.
+ If you’ve already determined that the CP corridor is the preliminary preferred route,
why are you doing an environmental assessment for this project?
Hydro One designs, builds and operates its facilities with strict adherence to appropriate environmental regulations. In accordance with the provincial Environmental Assessment Act (EA Act), Hydro One must undertake an environmental assessment, as documented in its Class EA for Minor Transmission Facilities. While our preliminary assessment and stakeholder input suggests that paralleling the CP rail line c is the most preferable option, we are required under the EA Act to consider other routes – at this point we do not have an agreement with CP to use the corridor. Hydro One will file a draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) as required by the Class EA process with the MOE later in 2009 detailing our proposal to strengthen the midtown power corridor. We invite and encourage stakeholders in the community to participate in the consultations that will take place as part of the Class EA process.
+ Have you thought about how inconvenient this is going to be to the community?
How long will construction take?
We are mindful that the transmission corridor runs through some of Toronto’s most established neighbourhoods. Residents can expect construction impacts similar to a road upgrade or water system replacement. We are committed to working with residents, businesses and schools in an open and transparent manner to minimize the impact and inconvenience of this important project. We believe in, and we practise, a two-way approach that values your input and addresses your concerns.
+ Will there be any impact on trees along the route?
Some tree loss is to be expected, but we will take every precaution to minimize the number and replant to enhance the local environment. We will work with the community, the City of Toronto Urban Forestry Services and the Conservation Authority to ensure our landscaping plan meets with local expectations.
+ Will there be power outages during construction?
No power outages in the neighbourhood are expected during construction.
+ How can you be sure that the CP will agree to halt train service so you can do this work?
Hydro One is working with CP towards a mutually agreeable solution that would allow us to use the rail corridor and to complete this project efficiently and with minimal disruption to the community.
+ Why don’t you bury the overhead line from Leaside TS to Bayview Jct. and the Leaside TS to
Balfour Jct. line since you will be installing two new cables anyway?
There is no technical or operational requirement to make this change as these lines are currently operating efficiently.
Hydro One does not believe it could justify the additional expense associated with burying the existing lines as a prudent investment by our regulator the OEB.
+ Could you build the cable along any street or road allowance in the area?
Many roads in Toronto are already congested with underground utilities such as hydro, gas, water & sewer. There may not always be room in every street or roadway to install additional underground services. Subsurface space in Toronto road allowances is in high demand. All utilities including Hydro One have a need to update their existing infrastructures to meet the growing demands and load growth. Most upgrades require additional space.
+ How will you ensure the ravines are not damaged by the cable construction?
Hydro One will develop site-specific mitigation and strategies in consultation with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, the City of Toronto Urban Forestry Services and other interested stakeholders (including local residents) to ensure that any adverse effects to ravine natural features are avoided or minimized, and subsequently restored to ensure no loss in biological diversity.
+ Has the aging cable between Bayview Jct and Birch Jct experienced any disruptions
over the last few years?
The underground cable experienced a failure in 2002 as the result of a contractor digging into it.
+ Aren’t there other ways of supplying Bridgman TS?
Is the Leaside TS to Birch Jct. option the only way of supplying Bridgman?
Bridgman TS can also be supplied from the Manby TS in the west (Kipling/Bloor St.). However, additional transmission circuits would be required between Manby TS and Bridgman TS – a distance of over 11 km compared to 3.9 km required in the case of Leaside x Birch option. There would also be a need to add additional transformation at Manby TS. This option would also not address the issue of aging cable replacement.
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