Dave Ogilvie
A public information meeting was held last Tuesday (Aug. 25) in the Chapple Hall by staff and engineers from Hydro One Networks Inc., the company responsible for the transmission and distribution of electrical power in Ontario.
The purpose of the open house was to provide the public with information about the proposed new transformer, which would be located beside the existing hydro line between Barwick Road and Westover Road, about 150 metres north of Highway 11.
Interested citizens were given the opportunity to review panels and maps outlining the criteria used to select the preferred site and to speak directly with members of the project team.
The Hydro One reps were looking for feedback on the preferred site and other aspects of the project.
Their presentation also outlined the next steps in project planning, approvals, and implementation of the construction of the transformer.
On hand to view the presentation, and to assist in answering questions, were the reeve of Chapple and members of council.
“We’re totally behind this project,” said Coun. Mark Hyatt. “We think it will be great for the district.”
The proposed transformer will consist of two 115/44 kilovolt (kV) and will occupy a 150-metre by 150-metre section of a parcel of land presently owned by the Municipality of Chapple.
The existing power line which enters the area from the north will split at Barwick, with one line running west to Rainy River and the other running east towards Fort Frances.
According to Hydro One, the new transformer station in Chapple will improve the electricity supply and provide more capacity to the communities in the district.
The preferred site also would include a small prefabricated building to house the station’s protection, control, and telecom facilities, appropriate fencing, landscaping, lightning masts, and grounding and environmental controls.
There were a couple of concerns expressed by citizens living close to the proposed site. One was the affect it would have on the value of surrounding properties.
“We’re concerned that the location of the transformer will devalue our property,” said Heather Oltsher.
“We have the OSB mill and the cell tower in front of us, and now the transformer behind us,” she noted. “That can’t be good if we try to sell.”
Marylena Stea, community relations officer with Hydro One, said five sites were considered.
They were evaluated against five main criteria: environmental issues, socio-economic factors, technical criteria, cost, and public and stakeholder feedback.
After much consideration by Hydro One and several meetings with Chapple council, the preferred site was chosen as the one that best fit all of the various criteria.
Hydro One reps at last Tuesday’s open house felt the proposed transformer station would not have a negative effect on the value of surrounding property, but added they are more than willing to discuss these concerns with the various property owners.
Another concern expressed by several residents last Tuesday was the effect of the electric and magnetic fields created by the new transformers on the health of people living in the vicinity.
Health Canada’s position on the subject is that the frequencies produced by such projects are so low that they present no known health risk.
Anyone with concerns in this area, who may require additional information, can contact Health Canada at 1-613-954-6699 or via e-mail at CCRPB-PCRPCC@hc-sc.gc.ca
Hydro One’s transformer project in Chapple is subject to the provincial Environmental Assessment Act in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities.
The Class EA process, according to the information provided, is an “effective way of ensuring that minor transmission projects that have a predictable range of effects are planned and carried out in a manner which is environmentally-acceptable.”
Following the consultation process, a draft environmental study report will be available for review and comment by all stakeholders. The copy of this draft report will be available this fall while the final report is due before the end of the year.
The planned start of construction is slated for the fall of 2011, with a planned in-service date of the fall of 2012.
Anyone wishing to contact Hydro One about the project can call Stea at 1-877-345-6799 or reach her via e-mail at community.relations@hydroone.com
More information also can be found at www.hydroonenetworks.com/newprojects among the list of current projects.
