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MILTON, ON, June 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, Hydro One announced the successful completion of its Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project with the Energy Minister Chris Bentley and Hydro One President and CEO, Laura Formusa, tightening a bolt on the last tower of the 180 km line and finalizing its connection to Ontario's electricity grid.

The achievement marks the largest expansion of Ontario's electricity transmission system in more than two decades and translates into 3,000 Megawatts (MW) of new clean energy -  enough electricity to power more than 10 per cent of the province's electricity needs - from the output of two refurbished Bruce Power nuclear reactors and committed renewable energy sources.

"Today marks a major milestone in Ontario's electricity infrastructure and we are paving the way for future that offers new technologies while delivering clean, renewable power for growing communities and generations to come," said Minister Chris Bentley.

"We are proud to celebrate the partnerships built and strengthened as a result of the construction of this line," said Formusa.  "The project was made possible through a shared commitment from the residents, businesses, municipalities, conservation groups and First Nations and Métis groups along the corridor."

The double-circuit 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line extends from the Bruce Power complex in Kincardine to Hydro One's Switching Station in Milton, spanning through diverse natural areas, farm land and residential areas.

As part of the project, Hydro One developed an innovative and award-winning biodiversity initiative to create and enhance natural habitat in partnership with community-based organizations, First Nations and Metis and municipalities. Hydro One was recognized by the Canadian Electricity Association and Corporate Knights for this approach.

The project received Ontario Energy Board Section 92 Leave to Construct approval on September 15, 2008 and Environmental Assessment approval on December 16, 2009. Construction on the project started in 2010 and represents an investment of $700 million into Ontario's electricity system.

Construction of the Bruce to Milton line meant more than 922,000 person-hours of employment in Ontario, creating 500 jobs.

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 km high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 123,000 km low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.

Image with caption: "Minister Chris Bentley and Hydro One President and CEO, Laura Formusa tighten the last bolt on the final tower in the Bruce to Milton transmission project. (CNW Group/Hydro One Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120619_C2381_PHOTO_EN_15295.jpg