Proposal to build a 315-25 kV substation at St-Jean and a 315 kV Supply Line in Dollard-Des Ormeaux - The BAPE will hold a public information session on March 30 in Pointe-Claire

QUÉBEC CITY, March 1, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE) will hold an information session on Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie's Proposal to build a 315-25 kV substation at St-Jean and a 315 kV distribution line in Dollard-Des Ormeaux. The session, which will be attended by the promoter, will be led by a BAPE representative and will take place on Wednesday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m., in the Champagne Room of the Holiday Inn and Suites Hotel, at 6700, Route Transcanadienne in Pointe-Claire. The purpose of the information session is to provide information for the general public on the project, the environmental impact assessment and review procedure, the public consultation process and the BAPE's role. The session forms part of the mandate entrusted to the BAPE by David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, under which the BAPE is required to make the impact assessment and full project file available to the public. The public information and consultation period for this project begins today and will end on April 15, 2016.

During the 45-day period information and consultation period, any citizen, group, municipality or other body may apply to the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change for a public hearing. Where applicable, a BAPE commission may then be asked to conduct an inquiry into the project and consult the general public.

WHERE CAN THE PROJECT DOCUMENTATION BE CONSULTED?

The general public can learn more about the project by reading the impact assessment carried out by the promoter, as well as other documents describing the project and its repercussions for the environment. Beginning today, and until April 15, 2016, these documents are available for consultation at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Public Library, 12001, Boulevard De Salaberry, Dollard-Des Ormeaux.

The complete file is also available in Québec City at the BAPE offices located at 575, Saint-Amable, Suite 2.10, in Montreal at the Legal Sciences Library of the Université du Québec à Montréal, Pavillon Hubert-Aquin, 400, Sainte-Catherine Est, Room A-M100, and on the BAPE website at www.bape.gouv.qc.ca, under the heading "Mandats en cours".

THE PROJECT

Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie plans to convert the Saint-Jean substation's current voltage of 120-12 kV to 315-25 kV, in order to meet future growth in demand. The new substation will occupy an area of 26,000 m², mainly on the site of the current substation located at the junction of Saint-Jean Boulevard and De Salaberry Boulevard in Dollard-Des Ormeaux. The project will require the construction of a building that will be visible from De Salaberry Boulevard, as well as the installation of new electrical equipment. To meet the City of Montreal's network development needs, the promoter also plans to construct a new 315 kV aerial line between the Saint-Jean substation and the Sources substation. The new line will run along the right-of-way of the existing 120 kV line connecting the two substations, over a distance of approximately 3 km.

The cost of the project is estimated at $90 M: $76 M for the substation and $14 M for the line. Work would begin in the winter of 2016 and the facilities would be brought into service in the spring of 2019. The existing substation would remain operational throughout the construction period, and the 120-12 kV equipment would not be dismantled until the new 315-25 kV equipment has been installed and made operational.

The repercussions anticipated by the promoter and the mitigation measures proposed in the impact assessment

This project is located in an urban area, and its main repercussions would affect the human community. The promoter's impact assessment notes that, for neighbouring residences, noise levels at the substation would exceed the established noise limit of 46 dBA by between 1 and 5 dBA during the period when the 120-12 kV and 315-25 kV facilities are in operation at the same time. The assessment also mentions landscape impacts arising from the presence of new buildings and equipment.

To mitigate the project's impacts on noise levels, the promoter plans to build sound abatement walls near the new facilities, and to install sound insulation covers around the existing transformers. On the other hand, once the current facilities (120-12 kV) are taken off-line, the noise will fall below its current level. An architectural fence around the substation boundary, along with landscaping and recreational facilities, are also planned to mitigate the substation's visual impact and improve landscape quality in the supply line right-of-way, thereby encouraging neighbouring residents to make use of it.

APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC HEARING

Any individual, group, body or municipality that would like the project to be discussed and assessed publicly may apply for a public hearing during the public information and consultation period. Applications for hearings must be sent in writing, by April 15, 2016, to the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, at 675, Boulevard René-Lévesque East, 30^th Floor, Québec City (Québec) G1R 5V7. Applicants must state the grounds for their request and explain their interest in the environment affected by the project.

WHAT IS THE BAPE?

The Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement is a neutral public agency that reports to the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. Its mission is to inform government decision-making from a sustainable development standpoint that encompasses ecological, social and economic elements. To carry out this basic mission, the BAPE provides information, carries out inquiries and consults the general public on projects or issues impacting environmental quality that are submitted to it by the Minister. The BAPE then prepares inquiry reports that are made public. Consequently, the BAPE plays a purely advisory role and has no decision-making power.

Anyone who would like additional information may contact Karine Lavoie, by telephone at 418 643-7447 or toll-free at 1 800 463-4732, ext. 536, or by e-mail at [email protected].

SOURCE Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement

Karine Lavoie, Communications Advisor, In collaboration with Karim Chami, Analyst, 418 643-7447, ext. 536 or 1 800 463-4732