Council, residents insist Hydro One include 401 corridor as possible route for transmission lines

ABERFOYLE – Puslinch council took a firm stance with Hydro One officials on Sept. 16.

But it remains to be seen how much sway the township has over what the company will eventually do as it plans to build a transformer station and transmission lines through Puslinch to Preston.

Hydro One officials had delegated to council in March to explain that the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has identified that increased electricity capacity is needed in Cambridge, Guelph and Wellington County.

They also noted Hydro One intends to build a transmission station on property it owns in Puslinch and a transmission route through Puslinch to the existing one in Preston.

Back in March it seemed a far-away venture and that there would be ample consultation with the township and its residents.

However, in August Hydro One announced the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process had commenced and four proposed transmission routes are under consideration. All four zigzag across the township.

The citizen’s group Help Protect Puslinch proposed a route along Highway 401 that would impact fewer private residences, cut across fewer farms and keep the unsightly towers beside the already unsightly highway, they said. 

And council agreed.

But on Sept. 16, Sonny Karunakaren, VP of  strategic projects and partnerships at Hydro One, told council the company considered a corridor along the 401, but it was rejected for many reasons.

He maintained the four routes on which Hydro One is seeking feedback are the only viable options and the only that are part of the EA. He explained the 401 corridor won’t work because:

• the province has new buffer requirements along transportation corridors and there isn’t room for the towers;
• aggregate pits cannot be crossed by transmission towers;
• there are significant woodland and wetlands along the corridor;
• Reid’s Field Airport is situated along the 401 corridor means the towers can’t be nearby;
• two OnRoute service centres are in the way; and
• heavy urbanization in Preston rules out adding transmission towers there.

That was the first time councillors had heard any reasons why the 401 corridor was not a viable option, and they suggested Hydro One present that argument at the open house it was hosting the next day.

“It would benefit the community to have that articulated,” said councillor Russel Hurst.

Councillor John Sepulis kept pressing for the 401 option, asking who the township could talk to in order to keep it under consideration. He suggested the township could take its concerns to the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

“We’re serious about this. We want it to be included,” Sepulis said, later adding, “Sorry to be hard on you; I’m fighting for the community here.”

Karunakaren said a technical advisory committee will be struck and that group will determine which of the four suggested routes is most viable. He expected the preferred option would be ready to present at a second open house in the spring.

To questions from council, he said Hydro One works with individual landowners and can adjust tower placements to some extent. Sometimes the company will purchase an easement and in extreme cases will purchase the property outright, install the towers and then sell the land afterward.

Council passed a resolution at the Sept. 16 meeting stating that:

• representatives from Help Protect Puslinch and the Mill Creek Stewards should be on the EA technical advisory committee (TAC);
• the township’s technical experts will review the EA report when it is completed and sufficient funds will be included in the 2027 budget for that; and
• Hydro One hold will hold a public meeting as opposed to an open house to provide information to residents.

Hydro One did hold an open house at the Puslinch Community Centre on Sept. 17 and it was well attended, with at least 100 residents present. That followed a public meeting in Cambridge on Sept. 15, where some 80 residents came out.

There was no presentation, however. Huge maps were spread out on tables around the rooms and Hydro One staff circulated around, answering residents’ questions one-on-one.

Karunakaren was present and told the Advertiser Hydro One truly does rely on public feedback as it determines its routes.

He said the open house format doesn’t lend itself to making a presentation, but they heard council’s message and will consider making a presentation to residents in the future.

He said it’s “highly unusual” to have community members on the TAC committee. It’s usually subject matter experts like engineers and environmental planners, township planners and representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of the Environment.

He noted the value of the open house is in the feedback – locals with local knowledge that can inform the field studies.

Sepulis also attended the open house, and while people showed up, “they don’t know what questions to ask,” he said.

“It would be better to have a public meeting,” he added.

In an email after the open house, resident John McNie stated he had a good discussion with one of the Hydro One reps, “and the 401 corridor route seemed viable and therefore worthy of being part of the next evaluation step along with their proposed four routes.”

“We would like the public information meeting to have them confirm this reconsideration publicly,” he stated.