Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
May 19, 2011
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Community Meeting
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
North Building, Room 203B
May 19th, 2011, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Please sign in and complete a comment sheet
Project team members are available to discuss the project with you
Please feel free to ask questions
Visit us at www.torontohydro.com/bremnerstationproject
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Toronto Hydro
• 100 years of service history
• One of the largest municipal electricity distribution companies in Canada
• Over 700,000 customers, population over 2.5 million
• Peak demand of 5,000 MW( July 2005)
• Over $2.1 billion in assets
• Approx. 1,700 employees
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Background and Context - Toronto Hydro-Electric System
• The Bremner Transformer Station is proposed to
provide electricity service to a significant part of
Toronto’s downtown core
• The station will allow Toronto Hydro to replace
aging equipment at Windsor Station with a goal
of increasing reliability of supply in Toronto's city
centre
Existing Windsor Transformer Station
(Corner of John and Wellington Streets)
• The project forms part of Toronto Hydro’s
PowerUp capital program – a key
investment for reliability of electricity
supply
Proposed Location at 25 Rees Street
• The station will be built adjacent to
Toronto’s landmark Roundhouse building at
Bremner Boulevard and Rees Street
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process
Class EA Process
Why is the station required?
• This project is following the Class EA for Minor
Transmission Facilities, which is approved under
the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act
• A new electricity source is needed to replace
obsolete equipment at the existing Windsor
Transformer Station
• The Class EA process is an effective way of
ensuring that transmission projects that have a
predictable range of effects are planned and
constructed in a manner that is environmentally
acceptable
• Existing customers need to be supplied from a
new source first, then the transfer of electricity
can proceed
The purpose of this Public Information Centre is to:
• Introduce the Bremner Transformer Station and
Cable Tunnel Class EA; and
• Provide the public with the opportunity to review
project information and ask questions directly to
the project team
• The project aims to increase reliability and supply
in Toronto’s downtown core
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Project Area Characteristics
Why this location?
• The proposed location is in close
proximity to the existing Windsor
Transformer Station
• There are existing underground cables
coming from the Windsor Transformer
Station that currently supply electricity
to this area
• Once constructed, cables from the
proposed Bremner Transformer
Station will connect directly to existing
underground infrastructure
Project Area
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Project Area Characteristics
How will the Bremner Transformer
station be supplied with electricity?
• A cable tunnel link will be constructed
between the Bremner Transformer
Station and the existing Hydro One
cable tunnel at Lower Simcoe and
Front Streets
• Cable tunnel routes and shaft locations
will be evaluated as part of this project
• The new cable tunnel is proposed to
be approximately 600 metres in length,
and 30 metres below the surface of
the road
Project Area
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Description of the Proposed Project
The project includes:
• Site preparation;
• Disassembly of the Machine Shop;
• Construction of the Bremner
Transformer Station;
• A new cable tunnel to Lower Simcoe
and Front Streets;
• Site landscaping work;
• Installation of electrical equipment;
and
• Transfer of electricity from Windsor
Station to the Bremner Transformer
Station
Interior view of a typical transformer station
Increasing reliability to Toronto’s downtown core.
• The station will include space provisions for future growth
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Environmental Studies
The following environmental studies are being completed to identify and reduce
negative environmental effects throughout construction and operation:
1. Noise and Vibration Assessment
• Noise and vibration forecasts are being assessed for the construction and operation of
this project. If required, mitigation measures will be employed as per the Ministry of
the Environments’ noise guidelines
2. Human Health Impact Assessment
• Electromagnetic Field levels are being analyzed to identify exposure amounts and any
mitigation measures needed to ensure safe limits
3. Heritage Impact Assessment
• The machine shop structure adjacent to the Roundhouse will be preserved to uphold
its cultural and heritage value
4. Internal Vehicular Operations
• Toronto Hydro is working with local stakeholders, businesses and the City of Toronto
to develop a short and long term strategy for traffic movement on site
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Description of the Proposed Transformer Station – Option 1
Looking North from Rees St. and Lake Shore Blvd. - Before
Looking North from Rees St. and Lake Shore Blvd. - After
Looking South from Bremner Blvd. and Rees St. - Before
Looking South from Bremner Blvd. and Rees St. - After
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Description of the Proposed Transformer Station – Option 2
Looking North from Rees St. and Lake Shore Blvd. - Before
Looking South from Bremner Blvd. and Rees St. - Before
Looking Northeast from Lake Shore Blvd. and Rees St. - After
Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
PROGRESS OF THE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY
Next Steps
Next steps in the Class EA process include:
• An Environmental Project Report will be prepared and made available at specified
locations for a 30-day public review period
• Subject to necessary approvals, Toronto Hydro intends to proceed with the planning,
design and construction of the Bremner Transformer Station and Cable Tunnel
• Subject to necessary approvals, the intent is to begin construction in Fall 2011
Please submit and complete a comment sheet or feel free to contact one of the project
representatives below. Comments will be incorporated into the project record and used
to assist Toronto Hydro in the planning, design and construction of this project.
Suzanne R. Yelle, P. Eng., ing
Manager, Construction
Major Turnkey Projects,
Toronto Hydro
14 Carlton Street
Toronto, ON M5B 1K5
Phone: 416-542-3364
Email: syelle@torontohydro.com
Andreas Houlios, B.E.S. Hons.
Environmental Planner
IBI Group
Suite 200, East Wing
360 James Street North
Hamilton, ON L8L 1H5
Phone: 905-546-1010 ext. 2209
Email: andreas.houlios@ibigroup.com
Pam Foster, M. Pl., MCIP, RPP
Senior Planner
Planning & Environmental Design
MMM Group Limited
100 Commerce Valley Drive West
Thornhill, ON M5B 1K5
Phone: 905-882-4211 ext. 2244
Email: fosterp@mmm.ca