Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, left, speaks to reporters as Hydro Quebec president Thierry Vandal looks on at a news conference Friday, April 24, 2015 in Montreal. Hydro Quebec is building a new power transmission line at a cost of $1.4 billion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Republished April 24, 2015 - 3:14 PM
Original Publication Date April 24, 2015 - 1:45 PM
MONTREAL - Quebecers will welcome the construction of a new 400-kilometre Hydro-Quebec transmission line even though there's still some opposition to the project, Premier Philippe Couillard said Friday.
The new 735-kilovolt power line will go from the Lac-Saint-Jean region, about 200 kilometres north of Quebec City, to Montreal.
''It's been 20 years since the last time we built such a line," the premier told a news conference, adding it would create jobs in several regions.
''It is a necessary project. It is not only good for the stability of the network. It is good for Quebec as a whole.''
Couillard told a news conference Quebecers will be happy to see construction of the $1.4-billion line go ahead over the next 18 months.
The line has faced opposition from a citizens group as well as a number of municipalities, environmental groups and farmers.
The province's environmental review board also did not give the so-called Chamouchouane-Bout-de-l'Isle project its approval.
But the plan did get the nod from Quebec's energy board and the agency that oversees protection of agricultural territory.
An information sheet provided by Hydro-Quebec said 300 meetings and exchanges have been held with the communities involved since 2010.
It said that, in light of concerns that were expressed, the utility proposed a new route located to the west of the initial one.
Hydro said the project will considerably reduce electricity losses, reinforce the main transmission network and increase the network’s operating flexibility.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015