ERO number 025-0660
The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of over 800 businesses operating in Thunder Bay. We are an advocate on energy infrastructure issues in Northwestern Ontario because we know that stable, affordable electricity is vital to economic growth across our region.
I am writing to express our support for the government’s proposal to declare the Greenstone Transmission Line a priority project and to designate Hydro One as the transmitter for this project.
We also express our support for the following recommendations made by the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association’s Northwest Energy Task Force:
a) That the first phase of the line be constructed up to the Aroland First Nation and Nakina area as well as being relatively parallel to the existing highway 11 and the existing radial transmission line. This is important because all the involved area is poised for growth due to the opening of Greenstone Gold and the impending development of other mines.
b) It is the view of the NW Energy Task Force that it will be more efficient and cost effective to install both circuits during the initial construction period. Such an approach is consistent with the Ontario Government’s policy of accelerating development towards the expansion of industrial activity throughout the north and the removal of any barriers that may delay development.
c) That major transformer facilities be located at key junctions along the new line including Geraldton, Beardmore and Nakina. This approach will facilitate and speed the development of mines and community growth along the new transmission line. It will also facilitate the connection to the potential Little Jackfish Hydro-electric generation dam.
d) That every effort be made to expedite the planning and development of this strategically important line by:
- Exempting the line from the Leave to Construct requirements, and
- Assigning the line to the Ontario Class Environmental Assessment process, which according to the Energy for Generations Integrated Plan, will reduce the time required by one to two years.
Thank you for your consideration of our comments.