By : Matthew Elder.
After extensive public consultation and citizen-group pressure, Hydro- Québec is considering another route for its powerline from Cowansville to a planned new substation between Brome and Sutton.
inside the red box). A fourth route along Routes 104 and 139 is being studied.
A power corridor approximately along Routes 104 and 139 could be an alternative to three proposed routes to the south, much of which would be through forest and farmland requiring extensive land expropriation. In addition to this route, Hydro is considering lowering the height of the transmission towers by as much as five to nine meters from originally proposed 45 metres.
Location of the New Substation
The new Brome substation is to replace an existing facility in downtown Knowlton. Hydro has earmarked a territory between Routes 139 and 215 for the new substation, with the original planned location just north of Sutton Junction near the hamlet of Mansville. However, the electricity utility now is contemplating a location west of Route 139.
Opposition and Electrical Capacity Debate
The town of Sutton, in conjunction with a local citizens group, Groupe exigeons plus de Hydro-Québec (Ask More from Hydro-Québec), had challenged Hydro’s planned routes and substation location, as well as the electrical capacity of the infrastructure. Hydro says it needs to upgrade its existing 49-kilovolt network to 120 kV. The opposing parties argued only 69 kV was needed, which Hydro has rejected.
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