Order in Council 1499/2020

On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, by and with the advice and concurrence of the Executive Council of Ontario, orders that:

Whereas Ontario considers it necessary to expand Ontario’s transmission system in order to provide a reliable and adequate supply of electricity to the Kingsville-Leamington area in the near to mid-term to meet forecast load growth, to permit the resources and bulk facilities in the region to operate efficiently and to maintain the existing interchange capability of the Ontario-Michigan interconnection;

And whereas the Independent Electricity System Operator, the organization responsible for ensuring the reliability of Ontario’s electricity grid, issued a Bulk Planning Report, entitled the “Need for Bulk Transmission Reinforcement in the Windsor-Essex Region” (dated June 13, 2019) which recommended a new transmission line west of Chatham as the appropriate solution required to meet expected demand growth and system needs, identifying an in-service date prior to the winter of 2025-2026;

And whereas the Government has determined that the development of the transmission line project should be undertaken by a transmitter that is best positioned to ensure that the project can be developed efficiently and on a timeline that supports economic growth;

And whereas the Government has determined that the preferred manner of proceeding is to require Hydro One Networks Inc. to undertake the development of the transmission line project including any and all steps that are deemed to be necessary and desirable in order to seek required approvals;

And whereas the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines has, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the authority to issue Directives pursuant to section 28.6.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, which relate to the construction, expansion or re-enforcement of transmission systems;

Now therefore the Directive attached hereto is approved and shall be and is effective as of the date hereof.

Minister's Directive