Residents of Otter Lake, and surrounding communities, are asking for help to protect the region from the potential impact of a new Hydro One transmission line.
The province is preparing to build a new single-circuit 500-kilovolt transmission line from Sudbury to Barrie. A series of open houses have taken place over the course of the summer, as officials look to narrow down a route for the 300-kilometre long hydro line.
Otter Lake residents are concerned a portion of this new line will run through their backyard, as the area is already home to existing power generation infrastructure. An existing Hydro One 230-kilovolt corridor line, and the Henvey Inlet Wind transmission line and switching station already run through the region.
“When considering another major transmission line through this area, we believe Hydro One must fully consider the cumulative impact of all the existing infrastructure together with the impact of what is now being proposed,” said Brenda Ulbikas, who address Seguin Township council at a meeting on Sept. 8. “The fact that an existing corridor is already here should not automatically make this community the preferred location for existing infrastructure.
Ulbikas has asked council to call on Hydro One to avoid the Otter Lake community altogether when deciding on a route for the new transmission line. However, she said if that is not possible, residents are requesting the new corridor be located to the east of the existing infrastructure, away from the community.
“The Seguin Official Plan protects the character of our lakes and established communities. So, we are asking council to ensure that those municipal planning interests are officially put before Hydro One during the route planning process,” she said.
Coun. Mario Buzynski, who owns property on Otter Lake, voiced his support during the Sept. 8 meeting.
“The only way to describe all of the facilities (near Otter Lake) is industrial landscape,” he said. “This is not acceptable to me as a councillor. If you look at our official plan, the policies there are quite clear about the view from the canoe, you shouldn’t be able to see development.”
A meeting has been scheduled with Seguin residents, and Hydro One officials on Sept. 20. Several Seguin Township councilors are expected to be in attendance.
