230/25‑kV Bonsecours Substation and 230‑kV Supply Line

Let’s talk

Regional consultation

In spring 2022, Hydro‑Québec initiated a regional consultation with elected officials and managers at the municipal, provincial and federal levels, environmental groups and economic players affected by Estrie’s electrical system upgrade. These first meetings made it possible to discuss our vision for the development of the transmission system in the region and to gather feedback and suggestions on the project.

So far, the stakeholders we’ve met with understand the need to upgrade the system in order to support the region’s current and future energy needs. The discussions focused primarily on Hydro‑Québec’s collaboration with the host community, the preservation of the landscape, human and environmental impacts and possible mitigation measures.

Concrete support for community development

Hydro‑Québec sees its projects as an opportunity to participate in the development of host communities. Accordingly, through its Integrated Enhancement Program (IEP), it makes funding available to eligible organizations to carry out initiatives that improve community life. Initiatives can involve the environment, municipal, community or recreational infrastructures, or support for tourism or regional development.

Communication

Hydro‑Québec is currently deploying various communication tools and participating in different forums in order to consult the groups affected by and interested in the project. In this regard, Hydro‑Québec organizes open houses for the general public to foster constructive discussions with citizens. Hydro‑Québec will conduct a follow‑up and pursue its discussions with the community following those activities and throughout the entire project

Our public participation process

Pre‑consultation

During this initial phase, we meet with the host community. Generally, we consult the MRCs, municipalities, cities, organizations involved in environmental matters, such as the UPA, and certain local economic organizations. We present our study area and ask for comments and concerns from the host community in order to begin an analysis of the possible route variants.

Information sharing is critical at this stage as it allows us to study the host environment and develop the feasible route variants that will be presented to the public during the consultation phase.

Consultation and presentation of the project

During this stage, we once again consult the stakeholders in the host community and we meet with the public to do the following:

  • Present the line routes under study
  • Present the modifications to the project design (height of the towers, width of the right‑of‑way, etc.)
  • To encourage cooperation with the host community, we speak to the landowners concerned about possible improvements and upcoming steps
  • Collect comments, concerns and questions from organizations and the public regarding route variants and questions about the substation.

Announcement of selected solution

During this last phase of our public participation process, we present the results of our analysis following our environmental studies and our consultation activities.

During this step, we do the following:

  • Present the selected route variant
  • Hold discussions with concerned landowners and community organizations in order to ensure an optimal integration of the new line in the community
  • Integrate the community’s opinions in our environmental assessment process in order to choose the type of tower that is best suited to the host community.

Frequently asked questions

How will those who own properties affected by the acquisition or the addition of a servitude be compensated?

Persons whose properties are directly affected by the right‑of‑way of a servitude are compensated based on the market value of their properties. The situation specific to each owner is taken into account.

For properties located on farms or in woodlands, the Hydro‑Québec–UPA Agreement on the Siting of Power Lines on Farms and in Woodlands establishes compensation parameters to obtain the necessary real estate rights. The situation specific to each owner is taken into account.

Do electric and magnetic fields (EMF) have any health impacts?

Over the past 40 years, many scientific studies of electric and magnetic fields have been carried out all over the world by organizations independent from Hydro‑Québec. The results of all of such studies show that exposure to electric and magnetic fields does not pose any recognized health risks.

For more information, consult our website on this subject.

What are the main steps involved in building a line and a substation?

Will the project improve the quality of the system in the region?

Existing transmission facilities are aging and do not have the capacity to ensure the desired quality and continuity of service. People in the region are regularly affected by power outages, and the system has major operating constraints, especially in winter. In addition, the system’s current capacity is limiting the development of commercial, industrial and recreational infrastructure in many areas.

We are aware of the problems with the regional system that serves you and we have shared this information with political, economic, environmental and agricultural stakeholders, as well as with land use planners in the region.

Modernization projects for the Estrie system, which include the construction of Bonsecours substation and the Stukely–Bonsecours line, will meet the region’s current and long-term needs.

What are the next steps and mitigation measures that will be put in place to reduce the impact of the work and new facilities on the environment?

Once the line route is selected, the detailed engineering work begins. Each structure is positioned on the basis of technical and environmental study results and conditions observed in the field. We also take into account our discussions with affected property owners.

In addition, an environmental assessment conducted specifically for the project makes it possible to determine, by taking into account the detailed environmental inventories, all of the mitigation measures to be put in place during or after the construction work in order to minimize the impacts on the environment.

How will Hydro‑Québec help owners prevent snowmobiles and ATVs from circulating on rights‑of‑way on private land?

In agricultural or vacation areas, the Hydro‑Québec system is almost always on private land.

Access to line rights‑of‑way is prohibited unless owners authorize their use. Hydro‑Québec will work with concerned owners and organizations to determine the best ways to limit access to line rights‑of‑way.

New 230/25‑kV Bonsecours Substation and 230‑kV Supply Line [in French only]

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