Montréal, April 27, 2015 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased that the 735 kV Chamouchouane–Bout-de-l’Île line has been confirmed, as announced Friday, April 24 by Quebec Premier, Philippe Couillard, and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Pierre Arcand.
“A reliable energy supply is one of the decisive factors for the quality of Greater Montréal’s business environment,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “The U.S. manufacturing sector’s recovery is closely tied to the drop in price of all forms of energy. To be part of the new North American industrial dynamic, local companies must have the same advantage. Quebec and Montréal are fortunate to have access to stably priced electricity, but companies that operate here also need a stable supply.”
In its brief submitted to the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) in December, the Board of Trade argued that this project was necessary to ensure a stable supply for manufacturers and petrochemical companies located in Eastern Montréal and to respond to the anticipated increase in demand.
“The proposed project will make it possible to meet the growing demand in the metropolitan area,” Michel Leblanc said. “In Southern Lanaudière, Hydro-Québec experienced an increase of close to 50,000 subscribers over the past decade. The Régie de l’énergie clearly supported the project in its decision in March by giving it the go-ahead and finding that Hydro-Québec had demonstrated that it was an essential project.”
“The Board of Trade believes that Hydro-Québec acted as a good corporate citizen by holding over 300 meetings with the communities concerned and proposing significant mitigation measures,” Mr. Leblanc said. “The project and the line’s route have undergone many changes to limit the impact on citizens, and all of the BAPE’s environmental recommendations were taken into account. The government’s decision to go ahead with this major project is good news for the city’s economy.”
Read the Board of Trade brief presented to the BAPE by clicking here.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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