OTTAWA - August 23, 2011 - The environmental assessment of the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project has been submitted to the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The report follows a review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by the proponent, Nalcor Energy, and a 30-day public hearing held from March 3, 2011 to April 15, 2011.

Nalcor Energy proposes to construct two hydroelectric generating stations with a total capacity of just over 3000 megawatts (MW) on the lower Churchill River, together with transmission lines to connect the two generation sites to the existing Churchill Falls generation facility.

The proposed generation stations would be located at Muskrat Falls (824MW) and Gull Island (2250MW).

According to Nalcor Energy, the  Churchill River  in  Labrador  is a significant source of renewable, clean electrical energy; however, the potential of this river has yet to be fully developed.

The existing 5,428 MW Churchill Falls generating station, which began producing power in 1971, harnesses about 65 per cent of the potential generating capacity of the river.   The remaining 35 per cent is located at two sites on the lower  Churchill River, known as the Lower Churchill Project (LCP). 

Public hearings held on the project consisted of general, topic-specific and community hearing sessions that focused on the project need, purpose and alternatives; economic impacts; reservoir preparation; aquatic environment; terrestrial environment; social and cultural impacts; environmental management, monitoring and follow-up; and cross-cutting issues.

Community sessions were held for the communities of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Mud Lake, North West River, Sheshatshiu, Cartwright, Rigolet and Nain. Community sessions were also held in Sept-Îles for the Aboriginal communities in Quebec.

The Panel received submissions and heard presentations from the proponent, Aboriginal groups, federal, provincial and local governments, environmental groups, individuals and organizations interested in the potential effects of the project.

Information on the environmental assessment of the project is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, registry number 07-05-26178.