FAQ: Electricity Transmission

What is the OEB's role in the construction of transmission lines?
How does the Board approve transmission project applications?
How does the Environment Ministry's process work regarding routing of electricity lines or environmental assessments?
How can I find out more about the OEB's public hearing process?

What is the OEB’s role in the construction of transmission lines?

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB or Board) approves the construction of electricity transmission lines of voltages higher than 50 kV (115 kV, 230 kV and 500 kV – voltages at which electricity is commonly transmitted) and longer than two kilometres. Board approval is not required for the construction of electricity distribution lines (voltages of 50 kV or lower).

How does the Board approve transmission project applications?

The OEB’s role is to review a transmission project’s effect on consumers with respect to prices, reliability and quality of electricity service. The Board operates as an adjudicative tribunal and carries out its functions through oral or written public hearings. When the Board receives a submission, it reviews the material, makes the information public, provides an opportunity for stakeholder input and decides whether to convene a hearing.

The Board does not have the authority to review or approve environmental issues. This is the responsibility of the Ontario Ministry of Environment. Its environmental assessment process examines construction related impacts plus determines routing and construction procedures.

How does the Environment Ministry’s process work regarding routing of electricity lines or environmental assessments?

Before new transmission lines are routed or built, projects may have to undergo an environmental assessment process.

There are three planning processes that proponents follow to meet the requirements and intent of the Environmental Assessment Act. They are as follows:

1. Environmental Screening Process: This is a self-assessment process, driven by those running a project, called proponents. The public consultation in this process allows proponents to identify and address public concerns and issues, and to provide the public with an opportunity to receive information and make meaningful input concerning the project review and development.

2. Class Environmental Assessments: Certain projects with predictable and mitigable environmental effects are grouped into classes, which have a series of environmental criteria that must be met. A proponent who receives approval for a class of undertakings does not need to obtain separate approval for each specific project, provided the class planning process is adhered to for the specific project.

During the review period, members of the public and agencies with outstanding environmental concerns will have the opportunity to request that the project be elevated. Projects can be elevated either to an Environmental Review within the Environmental Screening Process, or to an individual Environmental Assessment.

3. Individual Environmental Assessments: Some electricity projects that have the potential to cause significant adverse environmental effects must follow the individual environmental assessment process. Unlike projects planned under the Class Environmental Assessment process, each individual EA project requires the involvement of a Government Review Team and final approval by the Ontario Minister of the Environment.

To find out more detailed information regarding environmental assessment requirements for electricity projects, please contact the company or group overseeing a particular project OR refer to the Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects — available on the Ministry of the Environment’s website at http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/4021e.pdf

How can I find out more about the OEB’s public hearing process?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Board’s public hearing process, or if you would like to learn more about how to participate in oral or written hearings, please take a look at the OEB’s factsheet on The Public Hearing Process or contact the OEB at:

Telephone: 416-314-2455 (Toronto area)
1-877-632-2727 (toll-free)

E-mail: info@oeb.gov.on.ca