MCK and Hydro-Quebec sign Hertel Transmission Line agreements

04/18/2024

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and Hydro-Quebec signed the project agreements to formalize the historic joint ownership of the Hertel-New York Interconnection Transmission Line (�Hertel Line�) today, at a ceremony held on the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.

The agreements, signed by Oh�n:ton �:iente ne Ratits�nhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Hydro-Qu�bec Chief Executive Officer Michael Sabia, and Qu�bec Minister responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit, Ian Lafreni�re, officially designate the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke and Hydro-Qu�bec as co-owners of the Hertel Line, once in-service, via the Horizon Kahnaw�:ke Hydro-Qu�bec Limited Partnership.

Upon commissioning in 2026, the Hertel Line will be a 58 km, 400 kV underground transmission line that will run from the Hertel substation in La Prairie to the Richelieu River, where it will cross into New York State. The Hertel Line will carry 1,250 MW of renewable electricity to New York City, enough to power 1 million homes.

�Kanien�keh�:ka ironworkers helped build the New York City skyline and now Kahnaw�:ke will contribute to the city in a different way by transporting renewable energy to light up the very skyline Mohawks helped build,� said Oh�n:ton �:iente ne Ratits�nhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky- Deer. �This agreement is especially remarkable because it will be the first time that Hydro-Qu�bec shares ownership of its transmission infrastructure with a third party and a First Nation community.�

�When I look to the future, one thing is clear: the immense challenge of the energy transition will require creativity and open minds. The agreement we celebrate today with the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke is a true testament to that spirit of innovation," said Michael Sabia, President and CEO of Hydro-Qu�bec. �I hope this agreement will serve as an example of how we can work differently with other Indigenous partners across Qu�bec. A new way of working, which is at the heart of the idea of economic reconciliation."

�The agreement signed today, gives me hope that more partnerships like this one will materialize in the future so that more communities can be included in major projects,� said Ian Lafreni�re, Minister responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit.

As part of the project agreements, Hydro-Qu�bec is pledging a $10M donation to the new Kahnaw�:ke Cultural Arts Center, to become the leading non-government donor on the project. The donation demonstrates the close ties forged between Kahnaw�:ke and Hydro-Qu�bec in recent years.

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Media Inquiries

Lisa Lahache, Political Press Attach�
Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke
mckmedia@mck.ca / 450-632-7500


Lynn St-Laurent, Senior Communications Advisor
Hydro-Qu�bec External Relations
St-laurent.Lynn@hydroquebec.com / 514-289-5005


Maxime Tardif, Press Secretary
Secr�tariat for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, Government of Qu�bec
Maxime.Tardif@mce.gouv.qc.ca / 418-528-8407