Hydro-Québec can proceed with the construction of a line in the Laurentians

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QMI agency

Monday, 28 August, 2017 21:09

UPDATE
Monday, 28 August, 2017 21:16

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Hydro-Quebec has got the last green light that it needed to be able to go forward with its proposed high-voltage power line in the Laurentians.

The project is highly disputed because of its impact on the landscape, will thus be able to move forward. The approval of the ministry of sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against climate change was the only piece that was missing to Hydro-Québec.

The activities of deforestation will be launched elsewhere as early as mid-September, in the municipalities of Mont-Tremblant, Montcalm, and Saint-Faustin–Lac-Carré, confirmed a spokeswoman for Hydro-Quebec to the QMI Agency.

The work in the areas further east, such as Val-David, Val-Morin and Saint-Adolphe-d Howard, will be launched not before the end of October, after the period of the activities of the resort take advantage of the autumnal colours.

The mayor Lapointe “devastated”

In an interview with the QMI Agency, the mayor of Saint-Adolphe-d Howard, Lisette Lapointe, is said to be “devastated” by the news. “That to me has imparted a shock,” said the former mp, who complained that Hydro-Québec has not taken account of the proposals of changes to the layout of the line brought by the village.

Figurehead of the protest movement, Ms. Lapointe denounced the “rampage” that would result from the project. “This is really, really sad […]. We are not experts, but my God they worked hard to find solutions,” has recounted with sadness the politician.

In particular, Saint-Adolphe-d Howard proposed that the new line is buried for a distance of ten miles, in order to preserve the landscape. In asserting its cause, the village reminded that the cables for the project, Northern Pass, New Hampshire, will be buried at a distance of about 100 kilometres. Same scenario for the project interconnection Hertel-New York, the lines will be 58 kilometres under the ground between The Prairie and the canada-u.s. border.

Hydro-Quebec has justified its decision of not burying the cables in the Laurentians, citing the additional cost associated with such an avenue.

“It is not possible that we have leaders who do not see that it is made in the 21st century,” said Ms. Lapointe, deploring the visual and environmental impact of the project.

The Large project-Burned – Derivation Saint-Sauveur is composed of a high-voltage power line 120 kV which will run for approximately 40 kilometres, to 100 % at the surface. According to Hydro-Québec, the new line is made necessary by the demand for energy in the Laurentians, which is growing faster than anywhere else in Quebec.