TORONTO — A hearing into the merits of competing bids to construct a new transmission line across the north shore of Lake Superior began Tuesday in Toronto.
The Ontario Energy Board is considering proposals for the East-West tie line from NextBridge and Hydro One.
The 450-kilometre, 230-kilovolt double-circuit line will roughly parallel an existing line between Wawa and Thunder Bay, and will improve the reliability of electricity supply to northwestern Ontario.
In 2013, the OEB designated NextBridge to develop the project, but in 2017 Hydro One came up with its own proposal, dubbed the Lake Superior Link.
Hydro One said its plan was tens of millions of dollars cheaper than the NextBridge scheme.
However, the Common Voice Northwest Energy Task Force said last week that it found gaps in Hydro's costing, including an under-estimate of the cost of Indigenous consultation and accommodation.
Six First Nations along the route are partners in the NextBridge plan.
Its proponents, including area municipalities and First Nations, have complained the OEB allowed Hydro One to submit a proposal "at the final hour," saying this has put in jeopardy the entire transmission project and its associated employment and business opportunities.
A decision was initially expected sometime this fall, but the OEB has said that because of the significance of the project, it will take "the necessary time" to reach its conclusion.
The hearing is scheduled to conclude on Oct.12.
