By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
Councillors in the town of Brome Lake have passed a resolution supporting a southern route for the main transmission line of the new Brome substation.
Although the exact location of the substation itself hasn’t been determined, two routes are under consideration for the transmission line – the “southern line” which would begin in Cowansville and the “northern line” which would begin in Brigham.
“The southern line is currently privileged by Hydro-Québec for economic and technical reasons, [and] it’s also privileged by the Town of Brome Lake, given that it presents the least negative impact on bucolic landscapes and the interests of the Town of Brome Lake,” the resolution reads.
Councillors unanimously resolved to inform Hydro-Québec that the town prefers the southern route, and to send a copy of the resolution to the MRC Brome-Missisquoi, to neighbouring municipalities and to MNA Isabelle Charest.
Choosing the southern route is the “better thing to do financially and environmentally,” Brome Lake mayor Richard Burcombe told the BCN. “The distance of the southern line will be six or seven kilometres shorter than the northern one, and why pass through that beautiful land to the north, virgin forest? The southern route is down lower, the [transmission line] will be better hidden.”
He noted that the area under study for the placement of the substation has been enlarged and now includes some land on the opposite side of Route 139. “If it’s possible to have the [substation] on the western side of that [zone] it would make the transmission line even shorter, so that would be the best option.”
Burcombe referenced a resolution passed earlier this month by the town of Sutton, calling on Hydro-Québec to consider alternative locations and modalities for the substation. A Hydro-Québec representative later told the BCN that the utility was considering some of Sutton’s proposals, including adding new batteries or capacitor banks, but that others – such as adding an additional transformer or additional lines – would leave a larger construction footprint than originally planned. “I don’t want to talk about what another municipality did, but I can’t argue with engineers,” Burcombe said. “If we’re going to do something, we should do it right for the next 70 years.”
The exact location of the substation is currently up for debate. Burcombe, Sutton Mayor Robert Benoit and Cowansville Mayor Sylvie Beauregard have all expressed reservations about a site under consideration in Sutton Junction. According to a timeline on Hydro-Québec’s website, details of the “optimized” project should be announced this fall. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, and the new substation should start providing electricity to Sutton and the surrounding area in 2028. Hydro-Québec representatives were not immediately available to comment over Easter weekend.