28°c Partly cloudy
15°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Environmental hearing could delay Bipole III
Hydro looking at new timetable
Manitoba Hydro is looking at a possible delay in the construction of its controversial Bipole III transmission line project.
The Crown utility has said it wanted the 1,400-kilometre line in service by 2017, but that could be pushed back after an environmental hearing into the project was extended by about five months on Tuesday.
Manitoba Hydro spokesman Glenn Schneider said the extension of the Clean Environment Commission's (CEC) hearing could delay the start of work on the line, which is to run from Gillam in northern Manitoba to south of Winnipeg.
"It might, depending on the circumstances," Schneider said, adding Hydro is looking at a new construction timetable. "We may lose a couple of months of the winter construction season."
The hearing was extended when Hydro lawyer Douglas Bedford told the CEC that Hydro, reversing an earlier position, would file a supplemental environmental assessment on its revised route for Bipole III. The document will be filed on Jan. 28. The CEC had set Nov. 27 as the end of the hearing, but the supplemental information to be filed by Hydro extends the hearing into April.
Hydro filed documents recently saying it wanted to alter the line's route to bypass caribou and moose habitat. But it balked about filing a supplemental environmental assessment, saying by doing so it would jeopardize its target of having Bipole III in service by 2017.
"This isn't the Manitoba Hydro show," Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) lawyer Jason Madden told the CEC panel, saying the Environment Act requires Hydro to file a supplemental assessment.
The CEC did not have the power to order Hydro to submit a supplemental environmental assessment -- only the province can do that under the act.
"We don't issue the (environmental) licences," CEC chairman Terry Sargeant said. "We offer advice and recommendations to the minister (Gord Mackintosh) who issues the licence.
"We also don't have the authority to tell Hydro what or how to do things. What our authority is, to sit in judgment if you will, of what Hydro puts on the table and it's always open to us, if they don't put sufficient information on the table, it's open to us to recommend to the minister that he not issue a licence."
Pine Creek First Nation acting Chief Charlie Bushie said the extension of the hearing gives Hydro time to properly consult with his community of 1,300 people.
Bipole III is to pass three kilometres west of Pine Creek and there is concern it will increase spring runoff on the Duck River, which passes through his community.
"We're already saturated," Bushie said.
"The risks are higher each year. We need a drainage plan. We need a proper commitment."
The CEC hearing continues today with a presentation by MMF president David Chartrand.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 14, 2012 A6
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Glover quits quarrel over election costs
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Bar closing at Royal Albert
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Traffic heavy as Bomber fans flock to U of M
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- City's first urban reserve born
- On board with the Snowbirds
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.