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Home > In Your Community > New Projects > Transmission System Projects
December 1, 2008 — Notice of Submission
of Environmental Assessment (EA) Report
Hydro One has completed the EA Report for the Bruce to Milton Transmission
Reinforcement Project and it has been submitted to the Ministry of the
Environment (MOE). As part of the MOE's review process, the EA Report
will be available for an 8-week period starting on December 5 to January
30, 2009 to allow for public, stakeholder, First Nations and Métis
review and comment. For more details, read our Notice
of Submission (PDF 1.2 MB).
December 1, 2008 — Bruce to Milton Connection
Newsletter #6
Read the latest issue of the project
newsletter, which includes information about the Final Environmental
Assessment Report, review process and other project activities and highlights
(PDF 1.7 MB).
November 5, 2008 — Landowner Reforestation
Program
Hydro One has developed a Landowner Reforestation Program for the Bruce
to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project. Download the Fact
Sheet to learn more about the program and who is eligible (PDF 3.3
MB).
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September 22, 2008 — Draft EA Now
Available for Review
The Draft EA for the Bruce to Milton Project is available for
public review for a 30-day period beginning September 22, 2008.
Download the Draft EA Report with
Appendices. You can also obtain the Report and Appendices
on CD by calling our toll-free Project Hotline at 1-877-345-6799.
Interested parties may also review the Draft EA Report during
normal business hours at these
locations. Your written comments about the Draft EA Report
must be received no later than October 24, 2008 and should
be submitted to:
Ms. Eniber Cabrera, Dillon Consulting
235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 800
Toronto, ON, M2J 4Y8
Fax: 416-229-4692
E-mail: BrucetoMilton@dillon.ca.
September 22, 2008 — Notice of Draft
EA Review and Public Information Centres
Read our Notice
of Draft EA Review and Public Information Centre meetings
to be held between October 6-9, 2008 (PDF 1.2 MB).
September 16, 2008 — OEB Approves
Leave to Construct Application
On Monday, September 15, 2008, the Ontario Energy Board approved
Hydro One’s application for leave to construct the double-circuit
500 kV transmission line from the Bruce Power Facility in Kincardine
to Hydro One’s Milton Switching Station, with conditions.
Read the OEB's
Press Release or view their Decision
and Order (PDF). For more information, read Hydro
One's Press Release (PDF).
September 16, 2008 — Bruce to Milton
Connection Newsletter #5
Read the latest issue of the project
newsletter, including information about the Biodiversity Workshops,
Public Information Centres, OEB Section 92 application, Niagara
Escarpment Plan, and more (PDF 2.2 MB).
September 15, 2008 — Effects and
Mitigation Workshop Summary
On July 17, 2008 Hydro One held a workshop with government EA
reviewers and First Nations to discuss the EA. A summary
of the workshop is now available for download (PDF 2.7 MB).
July 25, 2008 — Biodiversity Workshop
Summary
On June 25, 2008 Hydro One held a workshop with environmental
agencies, interest groups and First Nations to discuss the development
of a biodiversity initiative for the project. A summary
of the workshop (with appendices) is now available for download
(PDF 3.2 MB).
Municipal Advisory Group
Meeting Notes
Hydro One held a second Municipal Advisory Group meeting on May
29, 2008. These meetings are part of the consultation process
that Hydro One has undertaken to provide municipal stakeholders
with project updates. A summary
of the meeting notes is available for download (PDF 288 KB).
July 17, 2008 — Public Information
Centre #2 Report Now Available
Hydro One releases
Round Two PIC Report (PDF 733 KB) with Appendices
(PDF 7.5 MB).
May 28, 2008 — Bruce to Milton Connection
Newsletter #4
Read the latest issue of the project
newsletter, including information about the OEB Leave to Construct
Hearing, the environmental assessment process and Hydro One's
land acquisition compensation principles (PDF 2.8 MB).
May 20, 2008 — Upcoming Public Information
Centres
Hydro One will be holding Public Information Centres
starting May 26 to June 9, 2008. Read the newspaper Notice
(PDF 1.6 MB) for more information, or download the PIC
Panels (PDF 4.8 MB).
April 28, 2008 — Land Acquisition
Compensation Principles
This booklet
(PDF 1.0 MB) sets out the land acquisition compensation principles
for the Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project. A
main consideration in developing the compensation principles was
providing property owner choices, flexibility and ensuring fair
market value. It is intended to inform property owners directly
affected by the proposed widened transmission corridor about their
choices regarding the land interests required by the Project.
For more information about this document, property owners should
read our Frequently
Asked Questions (PDF 4.7 MB) or contact their assigned Hydro
One Property Agent.
April 14, 2008 — Bruce to
Milton Connection Newsletter #3
Read the latest issue of the project
newsletter, including a map of the revised Reference Route
(PDF 4.9 MB).
April 4, 2008 — MOE Approves
Revised Terms of Reference (ToR)
On April 4, 2008, Hydro One received the Minister of the Environment’s
approval of the Amended Terms of Reference (Version 3) for the
preparation of the environmental assessment (EA) of the Bruce
to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project. Hydro One is proceeding
with the EA in accordance with the approved Terms of Reference.
Read the Minister’s letter to Hydro One, as well as the Notice
of Approval (PDF 1.1 MB).
March 14, 2008 — Route Refinement
Recommendation Report
As part of the consultation undertaken by Hydro One on the refinement
options identified to date in the Bruce to Milton project, three
potential refinement areas were considered. The report
available for download below explains the analysis undertaken
by our study team to assess those refinements, that incorporated
the feedback received from landowners and other stakeholders,
and the recommendations made:
March 13, 2008 — Route Refinement
PIC Report
Route Refinement PIC
Report (PDF 200 KB) with Appendices
(PDF 4.1 MB) for the route refinement PICs held in Hanover and
Acton on November 19 and 21, 2007, respectively.
February 25, 2008 — Agency/Municipality
Workshop
As part of the consultation undertaken by Hydro One on the refinement
options identified to date in the Bruce to Milton project, agencies
and municipalities were invited to a workshop to confirm existing
information and help determine the criteria that would be used
to evaluate the reference route and potential local route refinements.
The workshop was held on January 29, 2008. A summary of the workshop
report is available for download below:
February 21, 2008 — Landowner Workshop
Hydro One has made a commitment to involve landowners at every
stage of the Bruce to Milton project. To meet this commitment,
potentially affected property owners living along the reference
route and/or within the refinement areas were invited to workshops
to confirm existing information and to help determine the criteria
that would be used to evaluate the reference route and potential
local route refinements. Workshops were held in Halton Hills on
January 26 and Hanover on February 2, 2008. A summary of these
workshops is available for download below:
February 13, 2008 — Amended
Terms of Reference
After the completion of the review period on the Amended Terms
of Reference (ToR) and consideration of the comments received,
Hydro One submitted the final Amended ToR, Version 3 to the Ministry
of the Environment for the Minister's consideration. The ToR and
the Record of Consultation are available for download below:
January 11, 2008 — Hydro
One's Environmental
Assessment Amended Terms of Reference - Revision 2, was posted
to this website on December 21, 2007 (PDF - 4.9 MB). The updated
Amended Record of Consultation is now available for download below:
December 6, 2007 — Hydro
One submitted a second Entry
onto Land application (Section 98) with the OEB for the areas
of Camp Creek and Halton Hills (Reference number EB-2007-0920).
November 30, 2007 —
Hydro One submitted an amended Leave
to Construct application (Section 92) with the OEB due to
the potential route refinements (Reference number EB-2007-0050).
November 19, 2007 —
Download Panels
(PDF 16.5 MB - high-speed internet required) from the Public Information
Centre meeting on potential route refinements, as well as detailed
maps:
Potential Route Refinement Maps
November 5, 2007 —
Hydro One will be holding additional Public
Information Centre meetings in Hanover and Acton this November
to present potential refinements to the Bruce to Milton reference
route. Read the newspaper Notice
(PDF 1.2 MB).
November 2, 2007 —
The proposed EA Terms of Reference (“ToR”) for
the Bruce to Milton Project was submitted to the Ministry of the
Environment on August 4, 2007. Hydro One has amended the ToR to
address public and stakeholder comments received during the review
period and on October 30, 2007, resubmitted a revised ToR to the
Ministry of the Environment for final review. We expect a decision
on the ToR before the end of this year. Terms of Reference and
Record of Consultation documents are available for download below:
Amended ToR
with supporting
documents (PDF)
Amended
Record of Consultation (PDF 1.62 MB), with Appendices:
September 10, 2007 —
Meeting notes from the July 25-26, 2007 Agency and Municipal
Review Group Meetings are available for download below.
August 23, 2007 — On August
20, 2007, the Ontario Energy Board issued a Decision granting
Hydro One Networks Inc. (“Hydro One”) early access to
the lands proposed for the Bruce to Milton transmission line.
The decision with conditions allows Hydro One access to land until
April 1, 2009 to conduct certain survey, testing, appraisal and
investigative activities. Read the OEB
Decision and news
release.
August 3, 2007 — On August 3,
2007, Hydro One submitted its proposed
Terms of Reference ("ToR") to the Ministry of Environment
for the Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project Environmental
Assessment. This officially begins the Ministry of Environment's
30-day public review period for the Terms of Reference. Interested
stakeholders should provide their written comments about the proposed
Terms of Reference to the Ministry of Environment by September
4, 2007. Comments should be directed to:
Catherine McLennon
Special Project Officer (A)
Ministry of the Environment
Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12 A
Toronto, ON M4V 1L5
Tel: 416-314-7222/1-800-461-6290
Fax: 416-314-8452
The Ministry of Environment will forward all comments to Hydro
One for response. The Minister of the Environment will then make
a decision on whether to approve the Terms of Reference, or where
substantive issues are identified, may ask for revisions to the
document, or may reject it. If approved, the project will continue
onto the Environmental Assessment phase. All Terms of Reference
and Record of Consultation documents are available for download
below:
Proposed
Terms of Reference (ToR) (PDF 3.4 MB) and Supporting
Documentation (PDF 552 KB)
Supporting Documentation
2 Record of Consultation (PDF 1.8 MB), with Appendices:
August 1, 2007 — Download the
Bruce to Milton Keeping
You Informed (PDF 1.0 MB) and Notice
of Submission (PDF 1.0 MB) newspaper advertisements. Also
available are aerial photo maps
of the proposed Bruce to Milton line (Adobe Reader required).
July 25-26, 2007
— Agency and Municipal Review Group Meetings
As part of Hydro One's ongoing consultation activities on the
draft EA ToR document, meetings were held at Hockley Valley Resort
in Orangeville. The purpose of the meetings was to gather information
from the agencies and municipal stakeholders that may be affected
by the Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project. Agencies
and conservation authorities were invited to participate at the
July 25th, 2007 meeting, while municipal planners and elected
officials were invited to participate in the July 26th, 2007 meeting.
The meetings included presentations on various aspects of the
project by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), Hydro One and a
Ministry of the Environment representative. In addition to the
presentations, discussions took place around the questions, concerns
and issues that were raised by the participants. Hydro One considered
the information it received and the concerns voiced during those
meetings when we prepared the Proposed ToR that was submitted
to the MOE on August 3, 2007.
A summary of the proceedings of each of the meeting days is available
for download below:
July 13, 2007 — Download the
Bruce
to Milton Newsletter Issue #2 (PDF 1.7 MB) and Environmental
Assessment Fact Sheet (PDF 680 KB).
Commenting on the draft ToR is just one way you can participate
in the Environmental Assessment process for the Bruce to Milton
Transmission Reinforcement Project. We will consider your comments,
update the draft ToR and then submit a Proposed ToR on August
3, 2007 for approval by the Minister of the Environment.
To ensure your comments are incorporated into the ToR submitted
to the Ministry of Environment (MOE), comments should be directed
to: BrucetoMilton@Dillon.ca
or by mail by July 27, 2007 to BRUCE TO MILTON PROJECT
c/o Dillon Consulting Limited, 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 800,
Toronto ON M2J 4Y8.
The MOE will then initiate its own public review and you can
also comment on the proposed ToR during this review period. A
formal notice will be published in newspapers advising that the
document has been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and
the process for providing comments. Learn more about the environmental
assessment process.
June 25, 2007 — Hydro One releases
Round
One PIC Report (PDF 1.6 MB) with Appendices
(PDF 18 MB - High-speed connection required).
April 30, 2007 — Hydro One begins
Public Information Centres (PICs) across Ontario.
Download PIC Panels: Portrait
(PDF 5.3 MB) and Landscape
(PDF 7.0 MB).
April 18, 2007 — Hydro One announces
the start of Environmental Assessment and Public Information Centres:
Notice
of Commencement Newspaper Advertisement (PDF 1.3 MB).
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The Bruce to Milton transmission line is one of several projects that
Hydro One is undertaking to meet Ontario’s needs for the 21st century.
As our population and economy continue to grow, we need to ensure we have
the power to light our homes and businesses in the future. The Bruce to
Milton Project supports the Province’s climate change and clean air
initiatives by providing transmission capability to reliably and safely
deliver an additional 3,000 megawatts (MW) of energy from clean and renewable
sources – enough power for Milton, London, Guelph, Chatham, Mississauga,
Brampton, Hamilton and St. Catharines, combined.
 The
Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has recommended Hydro One begin the approvals
process required to build the new transmission line that would deliver
power from clean renewable and nuclear sources in the Bruce area to Ontario’s
electricity consumers. To provide the necessary transmission capability,
Hydro One is proposing to build a new 180 kilometre double-circuit 500,000
volt (500 kV) transmission line from the Bruce Power facility in Kincardine
to Hydro One’s Milton Switching Station in the Town of Milton. The
earliest in-service date for the new line is the end of 2011. Read
the OPA's letter to Hydro One (PDF 1.8 MB) or visit their project
web page.
 Before
this project can be built, a number of approvals are required, including
Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and Environmental Assessment (EA) approvals.
This is an exciting time in the development of Ontario’s transmission
infrastructure. As we move forward on the clean energy corridor, Hydro
One is committed to working with residents, businesses, Aboriginal groups
and the communities we serve in an open, fair and transparent manner,
providing consultation opportunities throughout the process to ensure
we continue to deliver reliable and affordable electricity across Ontario.
Read
Hydro One's News Release
Read
the OPA's News Release
Read
our Frequently Asked Questions
Read
the Project Newsletter: Bruce to Milton Connection - March 2007 (PDF
2.9 MB)
Read
the Project Newsletter: Bruce to Milton Connection - July 2007 (PDF
1.7 MB)
Read
the Project Newsletter: Bruce to Milton Connection - April 2008 (PDF
4.9 MB)
Read
the Project Newsletter: Bruce to Milton Connection - June 2008 (PDF
2.7 MB)
Read
media coverage: Toronto
Star, Canadian
Press, Kitchener
Record
Watch
a fly-over video of sections of the proposed line:
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The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) was established
by the Government of Ontario in 2004. Its role is to ensure a long-term
supply of electricity for the Province. This includes a variety of
responsibilities, including conservation and demand management initiatives,
preparing a long-term integrated power system plan (IPSP), and ensuring
investments in new electricity resources. www.powerauthority.on.ca |
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The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulates Ontario’s
natural gas and electricity industries. The OEB is responsible for
ensuring construction and operation of proposed transmission facilities
are in the public interest. In carrying out this mandate, the OEB
considers the impacts that the project may have upon consumers with
respect to prices, as well as matters that concern the reliability
and quality of electricity service. When the OEB receives an application,
it reviews the material, makes the information public and provides
an opportunity for stakeholder and Aboriginal input. www.oeb.gov.on.ca
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The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) works to
protect, restore and enhance the natural environment through tough
legislation and enforcement, innovative programs and initiatives,
strong partnerships, and public engagement. The Ministry works to
provide all Ontarians with safe and clean air, land and water. www.ene.gov.on.ca |
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Hydro One Networks Inc. is responsible for delivering electricity
safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses in the
Province. We own and operate Ontario’s 29,000 kilometre high-voltage
transmission network, and our job also includes building new transmission
facilities. www.hydroonenetworks.com
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Along with meeting the technical need to deliver the additional
power, making best use of existing infrastructure was a critical factor
in the OPA’s determination of the Bruce to Milton route. The use
of existing transmission corridors before the development of new ones
is consistent with the Province’s land use policy. Read
the OPA's letter to Hydro One (PDF 1.8 MB).
The need and rationale for a new transmission line is
discussed in more detail in the OPA’s Transmission
Discussion Paper #5 and Discussion
Paper #7, which can be downloaded from www.powerauthority.on.ca
and will be available at Public Information Centres
in the weeks to come.
The OPA has also recommended the
installation of two near-term measures and two interim measures to ensure
reliable power transmission from the Bruce area to points east until
the new 500kV line can be placed in-service in late 2011:
Near-term Measures
- Increase the capacity of the existing 230kV lines from Hanover
to Orangeville by raising the height of the existing wires on some
of the existing towers.
- Install voltage support facilities at existing Hydro One stations
in the western GTA and southwestern Ontario. Additional voltage support
facilities beyond these may be required if the 500kV line in-service
date is delayed beyond 2011.
Interim Measures
- Expand the capability of the existing generation rejection scheme
in the Bruce area.
- Install series compensation on the existing Bruce to Longwood and
Longwood to Nanticoke 500 kV lines. Its use is subject to a delay
of in-service of the 500kV line beyond 2011, and technical acceptability
that is the subject of a due diligence study to be conducted by the
OPA. Hydro One is also assisting the OPA in this study.
The target in-service date for these
measures is 2009. The OPA has noted that the interim measures are not
alternatives to the new transmission line as a long-term solution since
they increase the risk to the security and reliability of the power system.
Aside from series compensation which requires EA approval, the other measures
do not require EA or OEB approvals.
The Bruce to Milton project requires a widening of the existing corridor
by approximately 53m - 61m. The widening will make it necessary for Hydro
One to obtain additional land rights, starting with discussions with property
owners. In parallel with these discussions, Hydro One will also prepare
to expropriate easements, and in a limited number of cases purchase property
for the widened corridor to meet the project schedule. Payment for expropriated
lands will be based on market value. Hydro One plans to install the new
towers in line with the existing ones to minimize visual impacts, subject
to any environmental and technical constraints.
We appreciate that acquiring property rights can be inconvenient and
disruptive to owners. Hydro One will deal with every affected land owner
in a fair, open and consistent manner. In summer 2007, a Hydro One property
agent will be contacting directly affected property owners to discuss
the land acquisition process and answer questions about the project. In
the meantime, you can contact us toll-free at 1-877-345-6799 or
at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com.
Land Acquisition Compensation Principles
This booklet
(PDF 1.0 MB) sets out the land acquisition compensation principles for
the Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project. A main consideration
in developing the compensation principles was providing property owner
choices, flexibility and ensuring fair market value. It is intended to
inform property owners directly affected by the proposed widened transmission
corridor about their choices regarding the land interests required by
the Project. For more information about this document, property owners
should read our Frequently
Asked Questions (PDF 4.7 MB) or contact their assigned Hydro One Property
Agent.
Click on a letter along the chosen route below to see the proposed tower
design and specifications (in PDF format):
This project is subject to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment
Act (EAA) and an Individual Environmental Assessment will be completed.
There are four key phases of the EA
process:
- EA Terms of Reference Preparation
- EA Terms of Reference Review and Approval
- EA Study Preparation
- EA Study Review and Approval
A Terms of Reference establishes the framework for the preparation and
review of the EA. It outlines how the EA will be conducted and helps ensure
that the public, Aboriginal peoples and government agencies know what
will be considered. The Terms of Reference is subject to approval by the
Minister of the Environment.
This EA Study will focus on the transmission route from Bruce to Milton.
It will consider design alternatives (e.g., tower types and locations
on the corridor and access route locations), measures to avoid and minimize
effects and identify advantages, disadvantages, and net effects of the
project.
We have completed the 30-day Draft EA review process and are now in Phase
4 of the EA process. Our team has received comments from agencies, the
public and First Nations and Métis Communities. We are compiling
the comments received and where appropriate, will be incorporated into
the final EA Report which is expected to be submitted to the MOE later
in November. At that time, the MOE will initiate its review and decision-making
process which will allow for a second comment period for agencies, the
public and First Nations and Métis Communities to participate.
Information specifically related to the EA process may be found on the
following pages of the MOE website:
In March 2007, Hydro One filed two applications with the OEB related
to the Bruce to Milton Project:
Leave to Construct Approval
The project is also subject to "Leave to Construct" approval
under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Act. The OEB
review of Hydro One's application for leave to construct approval also
includes provision for public consultation. Download a copy of the application
filed with the OEB on Thursday, March 29, 2007. Read the OEB
letter to landowners clarifying their role in the process (sent
May 25, 2007).
Early Access to Land
Early access would allow Hydro One employees and representatives to access
properties along the proposed line to undertake a limited number of activities
(including field and legal surveys and soil testing) during 2007. If you
are an affected property owner, Hydro One will communicate with you before
entering onto your land. Download a copy of the application
(filed with the OEB on Friday, March 30, 2007). Read the OEB
letter to landowners clarifying their role in the process (sent May
25, 2007).
To learn more about the OEB's role in approving the construction of transmission
lines, including information on provisions for public consultation, please
visit their website.
To view OEB Applications related to the Bruce to Milton project, visit
http://www.oeb.gov.on.ca/OEB/Industry+Relations/OEB+Key+Initiatives/Bruce-Milton+Transmission+Proceeding/Bruce-Milton+Transmission+Proceeding.
Download stakeholder presentations and notices by Hydro One below:
- October 3, 2008 - Public
Information Centre Panels (PDF 3.9 MB)
- September 22, 2008 - Notice
of Public Information Centres (PDF 1.2 MB)
- May 27, 2008 - Public
Information Centre Panels (PDF 4.8 MB)
- May 20, 2008 - Notice
of Public Information Centres (PDF 1.6 MB)
- November 19, 2007 - Public
Information Centre Panels (PDF 16.5 MB - high-speed internet connection
required)
- April 30, 2007 - Public
Information Centre Panels 01 (PDF 5.3 MB - Portrait)
- April 30, 2007 - Public
Information Centre Panels 02 (PDF 7.0 MB - Landscape)
- April 18, 2007 - Notice
of Commencement Newspaper Advertisement (PDF 1.3 MB)
- April 10, 2007 - The
Township of East Garafraxa Council Presentation, Hydro One (PDF
3.2 MB)
- April 10, 2007 - The
Township of East Garafraxa Council Presentation, OPA (PDF 550 KB)
Our third round of PICs has been scheduled for October 6 to 9, 2008.
We encourage you to attend one of the PICs, where you will have the opportunity
to learn more about the Draft EA Report and supporting studies and plans,
provide your input, and discuss any issues or concerns with our project
team. The Draft EA Report will be available at the PICs, as well as information
and maps illustrating:
- Socio-economic and natural environment findings
- Project effects and mitigation measures
- Visual effects assessment.
Monday, October 6, 2008
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Hanover Regional Aquatic Centre, Auditorium
269 7th Avenue, Hanover
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Tuesday, October 7, 2008
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Egremont Optimist Centre
392137 Grey Road 109, Holstein
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 197
15 Wright Avenue, Acton
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Thursday, October 9, 2008
4:00 -8:00 p.m.
East Garafraxa Public School
063066 County Rd. 3, Marsville
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For more information, please contact:
Enza Cancilla, Manager, Public Affairs
Hydro One Networks Inc.
483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON M5G 2P5
Tel: 1-877-345-6799 or 416-345-6799
Fax: 416-345-6984
E-mail: Community.Relations@HydroOne.com
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