1. Home
  2. newsroom
Hydro One seeking feedback on the Waasigan Transmission Line draft Environmental Assessment (EA) Report as the public review period comes to a close

Successful development of the Waasigan Transmission Line depends on input from Indigenous communities, residents, property owners, government officials and agencies, and businesses

THUNDER BAY, June 30, 2023 – With nearly one week remaining in Hydro One’s public review period for the proposed Waasigan Transmission Line draft Environment Assessment (EA) Report, the company urges Indigenous communities, residents, property owners, government officials and agencies, and businesses to provide feedback by Friday, July 7, 2023, at 4 p.m. Hydro One’s public review period for the draft EA Report ensures the transmission line is built with local interests in mind by collecting community input before it’s submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for review, consultation and decision this fall.

“Listening to the community is a core part of what we do at Hydro One, and we are using every measure available to us to continue to engage in a meaningful and transparent way throughout the life cycle of this project,” said Sonny Karunakaran, Director, Project Delivery, Hydro One. “We’ve heard questions and comments from the community about the project and are utilizing this valuable feedback to help shape the delivery solutions as we prepare for construction.”

In particular, Hydro One would like to know:

  • Are there additional actions to avoid or minimize effects that you want to see us take?
  • Do you have questions about the overall assessment or specific parts of the assessment?
  • Do you have any other comments about the draft EA Report that you want us to consider?

Earlier this month, Hydro One hosted four Community Open Houses for members of the public to review, ask questions and provide feedback about the draft EA Report.

Following the public review period, the company will consider all comments and questions received and adjust the draft EA Report, as necessary, before it’s finalized. A final version of the report will be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

The draft EA Report was released on May 17, 2023. It details engagement throughout the environmental assessment process, the route selection process, identifies potential effects to the natural and socio-economic environments and identifies measures Hydro One will use to avoid or minimize any negative impacts of the project. Overall, the report concludes that the benefits of the project outweigh any potential impacts, which it finds can be effectively managed using environmental protection measures.

The project is being built in partnership with nine First Nations in the region who will have the opportunity to invest in a 50 percent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project. Completion of the line is contingent on Indigenous and stakeholder consultation as well as regulatory approvals.

Indigenous communities, residents, property owners, government officials and agencies, and businesses are encouraged to submit feedback on the draft Environmental Assessment Report by July 7, 2023. To read the draft report, and supplemental materials, and share comments, visit HydroOne.com/Waasigan. To read the highlights document, click here.

 

 -30-

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.sedar.com or www.sec.gov.

For further information: Media can contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868.