Proposed terms of reference : class environmental assessment for waterpower projects

Ontario's waterpower resources currently make up about 27 per cent of the province's energy supply, with an installed capacity of 8,150 MW. The remainder is comprised of 39 per cent nuclear, 32 per cent fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil), and 2 per cent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Of the 200 operating waterpower facilities in Ontario, two-thirds are located south of the French and Mattawa rivers. More than half of these were constructed before 1951. The waterpower facilities in Ontario range widely in capacity and energy production. Waterpower facilities consist of a main dam, a powerhouse, an auxiliary storage dam, an auxiliary block dam, penstock, tunnels, canals, weirs, aqueducts, spillways, electrical incorporation, and other auxiliary structures. A Class Environmental Assessment (EA) provides a planning process through which potential impacts can be assessed and addressed. Class EA streamlines the environmental assessment process by focusing on defined issues. The proposed waterpower Class EA will propose that undertaking be a process for the planning, designing, establishing, constructing, operating, expanding or retiring of waterpower facilities under 200 MW. 1 tab., 2 figs