The Couillard Liberals will soon approve a 400 km, $1.2 billion, 735 KV Hydro Quebec electricity line from Saguenay that will bring power from Chamouchouane to Montreal, according to La Presse.
The government is reportedly planning to bypass BAPE environmental hearings, which demanded more time for studies.
The line will snake from Lac St. Jean through such areas as Rawdon, St. Lin, Mascouche and Terrebonne before arriving in Montreal. It will create about 1,000 jobs and be completed in September 2018.
The project has met some opposition. PQ MNA Bernard Drainville objected to the plan in the National Assembly in February, describing the plan as a “luxury project that will raise electricity prices.” Drainville said that the government should instead opt for a 2011 proposal that would tweak the current system to become more efficient. That project would cost half as much without disturbing the landscape.
Demand in the eastern part of Montreal and in south Lanaudiere are growing fast, replied Energy Minister Pierre Arcand.
