COMING SOON TO THE COUNTRYSIDE NEAR YOU
HYDRO QUEBEC, IT'S TIME TO SET A HIGHER STANDARD: DON'T DECIMATE, INNOVATE!
The project:
Hydro Quebec is proposing to build a 250m x 250m transformer station at the corner of Chemin Mansville and Chemin Riddell just north of Sutton Junction in the heart of the Sutton Valley with transmission line corridors with 40m high pylons passing through communities of Cowansville, Dunham, East Farnham/Brigham requiring the cutting of more than 55 hectares of trees.
Did you know?
Hydro Québec is planning a massive, industrial-scale infrastructure project in the heart of the Sutton Valley.
The project would be located in an agricultural zone, and would endanger an important wetland that is part of the headwaters of Lac Davignon, which is the potable water source for Cowansville.
The transformer station would cover 250m X 250m (equal to 12 football fields) located on the Route des Vins near Sutton Junction and North Sutton, and would desecrate one of the finest pastoral settings in the Eastern Townships.
The new high-tension power lines would be supported by 40m high metal pylons (the height of a 12-storey building) and would require cutting approximately 6,000,000 sq, ft. (or 55 hectares) of unspoiled forest (a clearcut 40-50m wide and 16km long) through important wildlife corridors and sensitive habitats.
The project would scar one of the most iconic historic villages of the Townships and the picture postcard landscapes surrounding West Brome with transmission towers and high-tension lines.
While the project is much needed, the upgrade would not resolve the vast majority of blackouts in the region that are caused by poor maintenance of the 25kV local distribution lines.
Media
10 mai 2025 - Jérôme Savary, La Voix de l'Est:
Poste électrique de Brome: une solution alternative proposée (lire ici)
3 mai 2025 - Francis Halin, Le Journal de Montréal:
«Quand j’ouvre les rideaux le matin, je pleure»: des pylônes de la colère à Dunham (lire ici)
12 April, 2025 - CIDI FM99.1
Brome Substation and Supply Line Transmission Line Project Follow-Up Part Two (listen here)
11 April, 2025 - CIDI FM99.1
Brome Substation and Supply Line Transmission Line Project Follow-Up Part One (listen here)
5 March, 2025 - CIDI FM99.1
Brome Substation and Supply Line Transmission Line Project Follow-Up (listen here)
13 February, 2025 - CIDI FM99.1
Citizen's, Municipalities respond to Hydro-Quebec's Brome Substation and Supply Line Transmission Line (listen here)
10 février 2025 - Communique de presse, Ville de Sutton
La Ville de Sutton appelle Hydro-Québec à une meilleure écoute (lire ici)
10 février 2025 - Alexandra Duchaine et Arianne Beland, Radio-Canada:
Des citoyens de Brome-Missisquoi demandent plus de transparence à Hydro-Québec (lire ou écouter ici)
7 février 2025 - Jérôme Savary, La Voix de l'Est:
Future ligne électrique: Brome-Missisquoi renvoie Hydro à la table à dessin (lire ici)
5 février, 2025 - Youtube
Maire Benoit de la Ville de Sutton sur le consensus des maires de la région en faveur du site alternatif pour le nouveau poste et corridor a la Sablière Persons (route 104 & 139) (écouter ici).
29 January, 2025 - Gordon Lambie, CBC Radio:
Townships residents fear new Hydro-Québec project will tarnish region's rural charm. (read or listen here)
13 décembre 2024 - Jeanne Trépanier et Thomas Deshaies, Radio Canada Un projet d’Hydro-Québec inquiète des citoyens de Lac-Brome et de Sutton. (lire ou écouter ici)
3 février 2023 - Michel Laliberte, La Voix de l'Est:
Hydro-Québec exclue de Brome-Missisquoi (lire ici)
12
Football fields (size of substation)
30,000
Trees deforested
(transmission line corridor)
140
Acres of forest decimated
40m
Height of pylons
(~13 storey-building)
Estimated impact
Our
Objectives
Let’s work together to build a strong network that will last for 100 years, but let’s do it in a way that is sustainable, smartly designed, that’s respectful of the environment & rural beauty of our region, and which protects the unique cultural and touristic qualities that, after all, drive our local economies.
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There are more suitable locations for the substation and the transmission corridor.
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We agree it is long overdue for an upgrade of the hydro network serving Lac Brome and Sutton and want a solution that is appropriate for the region.
We expect a higher standard of performance from Quebec’s most important public corporation.
Let’s set a model for Hydro Québec’s infrastructure upgrades that prioritizes social, cultural and environmental factors as much as technical and financial considerations!
IMPORTANT EVENTS
Citizen-Organized Information Sessions
Dates​
February 7th. 2025 at 11AM
February 9th, 2025 at 1PM​
Location
Auberge West Brome
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Stay tuned for more events.​