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Environment

 

1,000 MW of clean emission-free power capacity

One of Canada’s largest climate change initiatives

Pumped hydro storage is the most environmentally responsible and economic energy storage solution available. That’s why TC Energy is proposing to build a pumped hydro storage facility in Meaford, Ont. The project will produce 1,000 megawatts (MW) of clean, emission-free power capacity by reducing our reliance on natural gas power production, and by reusing and recycling the excess electricity we are currently generating. It will contribute considerably to “greening the grid,” to helping clean the planet of GHG emissions.

TC Energy: Environmental Study on Georgian Bay.

Project update — April 12, 2023:

Field studies resuming this spring

We are continuing to undertake environmental fieldwork to help guide Project design.

Aquatics and terrestrial field studies are resuming in April and archaeological investigations are resuming in May. These are critical to helping us understand the environment where the Project is proposed.

The data will be used to develop the upcoming environmental and impact assessment processes.

Read the Project update

This drawing provides a general idea of the proposed lakebed transmission corridor from the proposed project location to the Wasaga Beach area to the Stayner Transformer Station.

Environment

Underground transmission line

The project will require a connection to Ontario’s electricity grid, and we plan to investigate a transmission route underwater on the lakebed of Georgian Bay from the project site at 4th CDTC, to the Wasaga Beach area, and underground from there to the Hydro One Stayner Transformer Station (TS). It is anticipated that Hydro One will be upgrading their system from Stayner TS to the final destination of Essa TS. Transmission routing will be a significant component of an environmental assessment process.

To advance a potential transmission route, we recently purchased a shoreline property in Wasaga Beach. This parcel of land is the proposed location for lakebed cables to connect with underground transmission cables. Transmission infrastructure/lines constructed on the property are expected to be buried underground.

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Clean electricity for nearly one million homes

If approved, it will be one of Canada’s largest climate change initiatives, reducing GHG emissions by an average of 500,000 tonnes; that’s the equivalent of removing 150,000 cars from Ontario roads, all while providing clean, carbon-free electricity to nearly a million Ontario homes.

Next step — The environmental assessment processes

Prior to any construction activities or operations, TC Energy will need to successfully complete rigorous and comprehensive environmental assessment processes to fully understand any potential environmental, health, social and economic impacts, as well as potential impacts on Indigenous or Treaty Rights or interests, and to demonstrate that the proposed project will be in the public interest. 

Due to the nature of the proposed project, both provincial and federal assessment processes and approvals are required. We anticipate that these processes will run concurrently and will be coordinated between the responsible federal and provincial agencies. This phase of the project is expected to be approximately three years in duration, and it will provide numerous opportunities for both TC Energy and the federal and provincial agencies to share information and receive feedback from interested stakeholders and Indigenous groups.

Environmental Assessment process (Provincial)

  • The Environmental Assessment Branch under the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will coordinate for the provincial Environmental Assessment process and will seek support from related provincial agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Conservation Authorities and others as needed.
  • The Environmental Assessment is an extensive study that considers the potential environmental and socio-economic effects, both positive and negative, of a proposal. Key components of an Environmental Assessment include: engagement with Indigenous groups; consultation with government agencies and the public; consideration and evaluation of alternatives; and, the management of potential environmental and socio-economic effects.
  • More information about the Environmental Assessment process is available here.

Impact Assessment process (Federal)

  • The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (under Environment and Climate Change Canada) will coordinate for the federal Impact Assessment process and will seek support from various federal ministries and agencies, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Parks Canada (for archaeology and heritage), Transport Canada and others depending on the issues raised.
  • The Impact Assessment process considers a wide range of potential issues including environmental, health, social and economic impacts and benefits as well as potential impacts on Indigenous and Treaty Rights.
  • The Impact Assessment results in a decision whether the proposed project is in the public interest.
  • More information about the Impact Assessment process is available here.

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