DOLLARD-DES-ORMEAUX – About 200 concerned Dollard-Des-Ormeaux residents overflowed a conference room at the Holiday Inn in Pointe-Claire on Wednesday night.
Residents were invited to an information session organized by BAPE to discuss the installation of a second above-ground transmission line in the West Island city.
It’s the first step before actual hearings take place in late April on the proposed multi-million Hydro-Quebec project.
READ MORE: DDO residents fight Hydro-Quebec plan to build more transmission lines
The line would be about three kilometres long, running from Saint-Jean Boulevard to Des Sources Boulevard.
It would result in eleven 52-metre high pylons that would go adjacent to the existing ones, which tower 20 metres over about 400 homes in the area.
Residents want to see that line built underground.
“It’s like five of my houses stacked one on top of the other,” said Peter Dileo, whose backyard would have a direct view to one of the pylons.
“It’s just huge and our biggest complaint is Hydro is not taking us seriously.”
Dollard-Des-Ormeaux city councillor Morris Vesely agrees.
“It seems like this project was thrust upon us,” he said.
“In my opinion it’s a James Bay-type project that is going right through the middle and the heart of Dollard-des-Ormeaux.”
The city said more power is needed, but told Global News what was upsetting to them and residents is the way Hydro-Quebec handled the issue.
“We’re trying to get more information and it’s not forthcoming,” said Vesely.
“If it was forthcoming and everyone was above board and talking to us in a professional manner, we would consider it.”
READ MORE: Finance Minister won’t take sides on controversial new Hydro-Quebec line
Hydro-Quebec said they’ve done their homework and building the line underground is more complicated than it seems.
“Hydro-Quebec would have to build two imposing electrical installations at each end of the existing rights of way,” said Jean-Phillippe Rousseau, a spokesperson for Hydro-Quebec.
It all boils down to cost.
The overhead power lines would cost $14 million.
Putting them underground would cost about $59 million and, according to Rousseau, Hydro-Quebec customers will ultimately end up footing the bill.
However, that is not enough of an argument for Dileo.
“We’re gonna fight ’til the end, and there’s no question, no doubt. If need be, we’ll look into injunctions,” he said.
BAPE is expected to hand out its report to Quebec’s environment ministry in August.
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