Energy Task Force News Release
The Common Voice Northwest Energy Task Force reacted positively today to the announcement by the Ontario Government that they would provide the Minister of Energy “with the ability to identify priority transmission projects to ensure that critical transmission infrastructure is built in a timely manner.”
“For over six years now the Energy Task Force has been pressuring the Government of Ontario to make sure that new transmission lines are constructed in the Northwest in time for a number of mines to be able to connect to the grid in a timely manner,” said Co-Chair, Iain Angus.
“New transmission lines to Greenstone, Pickle Lake and Red Lake are not only essential but time sensitive to the economic growth of those communities and the Northwest.
“We are pleased that the Government has recognized the importance of streamlining the process for approvals by eliminating the Ontario Energy Board ‘needs test’ that is currently required for any new transmission line. It will be up to the Ontario Cabinet to make a decision that a line is needed for economic development reasons and as a result will shorten the now seven-year span required to get a transmission line in place.”
The Energy Task Force called on all parties in the Legislature to give speedy passage to the legislation. “With planning already underway for the line to Pickle Lake, and at the early stages for the Ear Falls and Greenstone lines, it is essential that the Government and the Ontario Energy Board be quickly given this new tool to assist in the growth in the Northwest,” concluded Co-Chair, Larry Hebert.
