Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities November 16, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT HISTORY ................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Class Definition .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Rationale for the Class Environmental Assessment ............................................................. 5 1.3 Similarities and Differences Among Project Types .............................................................. 6 1.4 Applicant and Proponent .......................................................................................................... 6 2.0 PURPOSE OF PROJECTS COVERED BY THE CLASS DEFINITION ...................................... 7 2.1 Transmission Lines .................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Transmission Stations ................................................................................................................ 7 2.3 New Technology ........................................................................................................................ 8 3.0 CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS ...................................................................... 12 3.1 Establish Need ......................................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Alternatives to the Undertaking ............................................................................................. 17 3.2.1 Do Nothing Alternative .......................................................................................................... 17 3.2.2 Transmission Alternatives....................................................................................................... 17 3.3 Environmental Analysis .......................................................................................................... 18 3.3.1 Study Area Definition .............................................................................................................. 18 3.3.2 Initial Notification .................................................................................................................... 18 3.3.3 Class Environmental Assessment Screening Process ......................................................... 19 3.3.4 Environmental Inventory ....................................................................................................... 21 3.3.5 Identification and Evaluation of Alternative Methods ....................................................... 22 3.3.6 Selection of Preferred Alternatives ........................................................................................ 22 3.4 Project Acceptability ................................................................................................................ 23 3.4.1 Draft Environmental Study Report ....................................................................................... 23 3.4.2 Final Notification ..................................................................................................................... 23 3.4.3 Assess Acceptability ................................................................................................................. 24 3.4.4 Review and Decision by the Minister / Part II Order Request ........................................ 25 3.5 Statement of Completion ........................................................................................................ 27 3.6 Subsequent Communication with Interested Parties .......................................................... 27 i 3.7 Effects Monitoring ................................................................................................................... 27 3.8 Addendum to the Environmental Study Report ................................................................. 27 4.0 CONSULTATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 29 4.1 Consultation Principles ........................................................................................................... 30 4.1.1 Consultation with First Nations and Métis Communities ................................................. 30 4.1.2 Consultation with Government Officials and Agencies .................................................... 31 4.1.3 Consultation with Municipalities ........................................................................................... 31 4.1.4 Consultation with the Public .................................................................................................. 32 4.2 Consultation Methods ............................................................................................................. 32 4.2 Consultation Methods ............................................................................................................. 32 4.3 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Notice Requirements ............................. 33 4.4 Notification Techniques.......................................................................................................... 33 4.4.1 Newspaper Advertisements .................................................................................................... 33 4.4.2 Direct Mail or Email ................................................................................................................ 33 4.4.3 Unaddressed Mail or Flyers .................................................................................................... 33 4.4.4 Project Website ......................................................................................................................... 34 4.4.5 Other Notification Techniques .............................................................................................. 34 4.4.6 Social Media .............................................................................................................................. 34 5.0 CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ADMINISTRATION............................................. 35 5.1 Amending this Class Environmental Assessment Document ........................................... 35 5.1.1 Minor Amendment .................................................................................................................. 35 5.1.2 Major Amendment ................................................................................................................... 36 5.2 Potential Delay in Project Implementation .......................................................................... 36 5.3 Phase-in Period ......................................................................................................................... 37 5.4 Emergency Situations .............................................................................................................. 37 5.5 Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 37 5.6 Five-Year Review ..................................................................................................................... 38 5.7 Coordination with Other Approval Processes .................................................................... 39 5.7.1 Provincial and Federal EA Coordination ............................................................................. 39 5.7.2 Coordination with other Class Environmental Assessments ............................................ 39 ii 6.0 DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROJECTS ................................................................................................................................................... 40 6.1 Transmission Lines .................................................................................................................. 40 6.1.1 Overhead Transmission Lines ................................................................................................ 40 6.1.2 Underground Transmission Lines ......................................................................................... 45 6.2 Transformer Stations ............................................................................................................... 49 6.2.1 General ...................................................................................................................................... 49 6.2.2 Basic Operation ........................................................................................................................ 49 6.2.3 Alternative Designs .................................................................................................................. 50 6.2.4 Site Requirements .................................................................................................................... 51 6.2.5 Station Equipment ................................................................................................................... 51 6.2.6 Construction ............................................................................................................................