Report calls for new lines in Hydro corridor
by Bruce Haire

The Hydro corridor that extends south from Sudbury, around Barrie, through Essa, New Tecumseth, King and Vaughan to the Clairville substation will likely see added lines.

The Ontario Power Authority filed "Ontario's Integrated Power System Plan" with the Energy Board this past week.

While most public electricity debate has focussed on new generation projects and conservation, it is the "Enhancing Transmission" section that will have the most effect locally.

Power is expected to be brought in from Manitoba, from new hydroelectric dams on rivers flowing into James Bay and from hydro projects in Quebec.

The OPA wants to increase the capacity across the North and "from Sudbury to Barrie and from Barrie to the GTA."

The last major battle over transmission occurred in 1990 in this area.

Then Ontario Hydro wanted to expand the local 500 kv corridor or create a new one east of Lake Simcoe and develop another large east-west corridor south of Lake Simcoe.

An organization developed that had strong local backing to the STR plan (Sudbury to Toronto Reinforcement) called ROOSTR (Residents of Ontario Opposing STR).

Two of the lead members were Bob Griffin and Joan Smith of the 7th Line of New Tecumseth.

Smith said she didn't know if another organization would develop.