Ring of Fire transmission line could connect communities

Tim Butters, an OPA communications advisor, said that given the recent announcement of the all-season road between Nakina and the proposed Ring of Fire mines, the OPA is looking at the Nipigon to Ring of Fire transmission line “in more detail.”

While Butters noted that no decisions on the transmission corridor have yet been made, he said the plan could involve connecting a number of remote First Nations to the southern electricity grid.

“(The Nipigon to Ring of Fire corridor) may be able to connect up to five remote First Nation communities to the Ontario grid, including Marten Falls First Nation, Eabametoong First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation, Webequie First Nation and Nibinamik First Nation,” Butters wrote in an email to Wawatay News.

Matawa First Nations have long argued that their communities should be connected to southern electricity grids as part of any development in the Ring of Fire.

Chief Eli Moonias of Marten Falls First Nation told Wawatay News in April 2012 that the plan to power Ring of Fire mines on diesel fuel was disrespectful not only to the natural environment, but to the local communities that rely on diesel fuel for power.

“We want infrastructure out of the development, and a new powerline will do this,” Moonias said. “The province should support this for environmental reasons over diesel, and the federal government should support this long-range outlook as a grid connection will eliminate costly community diesel generation systems.”

Greenstone’s mayor welcomed the announcement that a possible east of Lake Nipigon transmission corridor is being considered.

The transmission line running east from Lake Nipigon was part of Greenstone’s Kick Start for the Northwest plan released in 2011.

Mayor Renauld Beaulieu said transmission lines serve as “ribbons of prosperity.”

“A shared road and transmission corridor north from the Nakina area would align with the provincial policy statement that requires consideration of multi-use transportation/utility corridors,” Beaulieu said. “Even more importantly, a stable electrical supply for First Nation communities currently dependent on diesel generators can address a lot of social and economic disadvantages.”

Butters said the OPA was directed in February 2011 by Ontario’s minister of Energy to develop a plan to connect Ontario’s remote First Nation communities in the northwest to the southern electricity grid.

He said that the Northwest Ontario First Nation Transmission Planning Committee was established to determine whether “it is feasible and cost-effective to connect remote First Nation communities to Ontario’s electricity system.”

The committee is currently working with the OPA in examining the technical and economic viability of these connections, Butters said.

As for the Nipigon to Ring of Fire transmission line, Butters said no decisions have been made.

“When this plan is complete, results will be made available,” he said.