Hydro-Québec international DC power line permit

Summary#

• Hydro-Québec has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator for a permit to build and operate a 400‑kV direct current international power line.
• The CER’s Commission is asking the public for comments before it decides whether to grant the permit or ask for a higher-level certificate.

What it does#

• The application was filed on 8 July 2022 under section 248 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act.
• It proposes an underground power line about 58 km long from the Hertel substation in the municipality of La Prairie to a point in Lacolle at the Québec–New York State border. The line would connect to the Champlain Hudson Power Express project in the United States.
• The Commission wants public input on impacts, possible mitigation measures, and conditions it might attach to a permit.
• Deadline for public comments (Letters of Comment) is 24 April 2023. The applicant may file replies by 9 May 2023.
• Documents are posted on the CER website (REGDOCS item 4236464) and are available at specified offices; contact details are provided in the notice for requests and questions.

Who's affected#

• People and businesses along the planned route near La Prairie and Lacolle — they may see construction work and local impacts.
• Hydro-Québec as the applicant and its contractors.
• Municipal governments and local agencies in the area.
• Environmental groups, nearby landowners, and other stakeholders who want to comment on impacts or conditions.
• The CER and provincial review bodies, including Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs and the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, since the Commission says it wants to avoid duplicating issues already addressed in provincial processes.
• It is unclear from the notice whether any specific Indigenous communities are directly affected; the notice does not name any.

Why it matters#

• The project would add a major cross‑border electricity link that could involve months of underground construction along populated and sensitive areas.
• Public comments can influence what conditions or mitigation the regulator requires if it permits the line.
• Local residents and businesses may experience construction noise, road or access changes, and environmental effects that the regulator could address through conditions.