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Romaine-3 Generating Station

April 10, 2024

The Romaine-3 Generating Station (French: Centrale de la Romaine-3) is a 395 MW hydroelectric generating station on the Romaine River that is one of four generating stations in the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex in the Côte-Nord region of the province of Quebec, Canada. It is owned and operated by Hydro-Québec.

Romaine-3 Generating Station
Mista Camp, Romaine-3
Location of Romaine-3 Generating Station in Quebec
Official nameCentrale de la Romaine-3
CountryCanada
LocationLac-Jérôme, Minganie, Côte-Nord, Quebec
Coordinates51°07′51″N 63°24′49″W / 51.130860°N 63.413634°W / 51.130860; -63.413634
PurposeHydroelectric
Owner(s)Hydro-Québec
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsRomaine River
Height (foundation)95 metres (312 ft)
Height (thalweg)92.8 metres (304 ft)
Length415 metres (1,362 ft)
Reservoir
Surface area38.6 square kilometres (14.9 sq mi)
Coordinates51°06′51″N 63°24′01″W / 51.114205°N 63.400275°W / 51.114205; -63.400275
Operator(s)Hydro-Québec
Commission date2017
Turbines2 Francis vertical
Installed capacity395 MW [1]
Capacity factor0.58 [1]
Annual generation2 TWh [1]

Description edit

The dams and generating station are part of a huge hydroelectric complex with four dams that was launched in 2009 under the government of Jean Charest.[2] At maximum level, the Romaine-3 reservoir area is 38.6 square kilometres (14.9 sq mi). The drawdown level is 13 metres (43 ft).[3] Surface altitude varies from 352.8 to 365.8 metres (1,157 to 1,200 ft).[4] The main dam is the second highest in the Romaine complex after Romaine-2.[5]

There are two dams, both completed in 2017. The main retaining dam is 95 metres (312 ft) high, with thalweg height of 92.8 metres (304 ft) and length of 415 metres (1,362 ft). The holding capacity is 1,878,000,000 cubic metres (6.63×1010 cu ft). It is a rockfill dam with zoned core, built on treated rock.[6] The smaller B3 dyke is west of the main dam and contains the spillway. It is 30 metres (98 ft) high, with thalweg height 27.8 metres (91 ft) and length of 257.6 metres (845 ft). The holding capacity is 960,000,000 cubic metres (3.4×1010 cu ft). It is a concrete gravity dam built on treated rock.[7]

The main dam is between PK158 and PK159 on the river. The spillway discharges into the Romaine River at PK158. A gallery leads from a point southeast of the main dam to the generating station south of the dam at PK155 on the river.[8] A total of about 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) of tunnels were excavated, including the headrace tunnel, penstocks and a surge chamber. The headrace tunnel is 1,662 metres (5,453 ft) long, 16 metres (52 ft) wide and 12 metres (39 ft) high.[9] The generating station discharges into the head of the Romaine-2 reservoir, at a maximum elevation of 243.8 metres (800 ft).[8] The generating station has installed capacity of 395 MW.[5] Average annual energy production is 2 TWh, with a capacity factor of 0.58.[4][1]

The argument in favor for the construction of the La Romaine hydroelectric complex revolves around the positive economic and climate impacts that the project promised.

It was estimated that the project would bring about numerous economic benefits to the local population and to the large region as a whole. At the local level, the project was expected to create 975 jobs every single year throughout the project’s lifetime.[10] At the regional level, business advocates for the project stated that La Romaine would ensure the competitiveness of businesses and industries alike for the short, medium, and long term future. They argued that the project would ensure a reliable energy supply and surplus that would allow for industry growth, all at a competitive electricity price.[11] Currently, the plant has the lowest electricity rates in North America (Plante, 2023). Hydro-Québec estimated that the economic spinoff created by the project would be around 3.5 billion for the entirety of Québec and 1.3 billion for the Côte-Nord region.[10] Additionally, advocates highlighted the significant contributions that hydroelectric power generates for the Generations Fund in form of royalties. This fund benefits Québec by helping the province reduce debt and address social issues.[11]

Hydroelectric power, like other forms of renewable energy, has a much lower greenhouse gas emissions than other sources of electricity.[12] This was a prominent argument made by advocates who were in favor of the construction of the complex. The complex would create 8 TWh of electricity yearly, which would be enough to power 470,000 households.[13] Hydroelectric power can be directly attributed to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector as hydroelectricity is the main source of energy for the residential, industrial and commercial sectors in Québec.[11]

History edit

The overall Romaine project was formally launched by Jean Charest in May 2009.[14] A 150 kilometres (93 mi) road was built to provide access to the four dams.[2] The Mista camp was built at PK 118 on this road to accommodate the workers assigned to the Romaine 3 and Romaine 4 facilities. It could accommodate up to 1,744 people.[15]

In July 2013 Alstom was awarded a contract to supply, install and commission two 200MW vertical Francis turbine-generator units, with butterfly valves and regulation systems, at Romaine-3.[16] In September 2013 Hydro-Quebec called for bids to construct the dam and embankment B3, excavate the spillway and intake channel, and undertake other related work.[17] A crushing works was built in 2014–2015 to make gravel for use in the Romaine 3 concrete.[18] In March 2015 a shovel operator died in the Romaine-3 site after the ice of a drainage channel broke under his vehicle.[14] In a separate incident, 4 workers were killed in an accident.[13]

The Romaine-3 Generating Station came into service in 2017.[5] It was inaugurated by Quebec premier Philippe Couillard and Hydro-Québec President Eric Martel in a ceremony on 19 October 2017.[2] The plant was to be connected to the Quebec electrical grid in phases.[14] In September 2017 Hydro-Québec had said it had no plans for more dams due to the present surplus of electricity.[14] Couillard confirmed that no more major projects were planned.[14] All parts of the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex were successfully completed, and Hydro-Québec inaugurated the Complex in October 2023.[13]

Environmental Impacts edit

A 2009 joint review panel on the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex highlighted the main areas of the environment that would be adversely affected by the creation of the dam and the subsequent water reservoirs would be the Woodland caribou population, birdlife, and fish populations.[11]

As a consequence of the diminishing available habitats resulting from the establishment of water reservoirs and extensive logging practices within the region, there is a projected decline foreseen in the population of Woodland caribou.[11] This anticipated decline is intricately linked to the sensitivity exhibited by caribou in their migratory behaviors towards various human-induced activities such as construction undertakings, heightened vehicular traffic, the existence of substantial structures, and amplified levels of ambient noise.[19] The unfortunate reduction in the number of Woodland caribou is poised to negatively impact the longstanding and integral traditional activities practiced by the Innu communities in the affected area.[11] It's noteworthy that in 2003, the Innu of Ekuanitshit petitioned the federal courts, seeking intervention to halt the proposed construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Romaine River (White, 2012). Their plea was rooted in profound concerns regarding the potential detrimental effects that the hydroelectric dam project could inflict upon the Woodland caribou population, recognizing the vital interdependence between the caribou's well-being and their own cultural practices and heritage.[20]

In the joint review panel, multiple organizations came forward to voice concerns for the birdlife that lives in the affected area of the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex. The species of concern included the Barrow’s Goldeneye, Sternidae, Boreal Pewee, Rusty Blackbird, and Kirtland’s Warbler.[11] There were also concerns that the transmission lines connected to the plant may interfere with migrating birds.[11] Additionally, there were allegations that Hydro-Québec had not considered the possible effects that the hydroelectric plant would have on specific species that were already experiencing population decline.[11] Overall, there was much concern over the loss of habitat due to logging and reservoir creation.[11] Most organizations called for additional studies on the effects on birdlife in the region to be completed before the project moved forward in order to determine if additional mitigation or compensation methods would be necessary.[11]

Many concerns were raised about the hydroelectric complex’s potential negative impact on the size of fish populations and on the genetic diversity of fish populations, specifically salmon populations, in the Romaine River.[11] These concerns were rooted in observations made at other rivers that hydroelectric dams have been built on. Environmental and habitat transformations caused by human activity, such as the construction of a hydroelectric dam, are recognized as the biggest reason for population decline and species loss in freshwater systems.[21] Hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin were the main cause of juvenile fish mortality as the fish attempted to migrate downstream.[22] The same study found that mitigation efforts benefited other fish species, but not salmon.[22] It was questioned whether the proposed mitigation strategies would be effective enough to alleviate the effects of the dams on fish populations. As of October 2023, mitigation efforts included the seeding of Atlantic salmon, lake trout and landlocked salmon.[23]

Another area of possible concern is bioaccumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury.[24] Bioaccumulation occurs when chemicals build up in an organism because they are taken in faster than they are expelled. These chemicals get into the organism either from the environment (like soil, water, or air) or through what the organism eats.[25] When soil is flooded, the breaking down of labile organic carbon and subsequent changes in geochemical conditions causes the production of methylmercury (MeHg).[24] In the newly created reservoirs of other Canadian hydroelectric dams, methylmercury levels have seen a 2.6-2.8 times increase in concentration.[24][26] Innu communities regularly engage in traditional hunting practices of the local wildlife.[27] However, this may cause biomagnification, exposing them to harmful levels of methylmercury.[24] A study on the bioaccumulation of methylmercury noted the following: “In northern indigenous populations, increased MeHg exposure has been significantly associated with cardiovascular risk factors for adults such as increased resting heart rate and heart rate variability, as well as increased incidence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children with high prenatal exposures. Acute MeHg toxicity is associated with widespread neurological abnormalities, paresthesia and ataxia.”[24]

Controversies edit

The primary controversy surrounding the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex predominantly revolves around its impact on the Innu tribal group. The construction of the complex and its associated infrastructure has directly encroached upon the traditional lands of the Innu people.[28] Specifically, the Ekuanitshit and Nutashkuan communities stand to face the most adverse consequences resulting from the implementation of this project.[11] Over the span of thousands of years, the Innu have established their livelihood through the time-honored practice of fishing for char, eel, brook trout, and whitefish in the upper reaches of the Romaine River.[27] Additionally, during the summer seasons, they have historically harvested salmon from the pools downstream of the Grandes Chutes, sustaining their cultural practices and heritage.[27] Importantly, the local Innu communities exhibit diverse perspectives regarding the merits of the project, lacking consensus on its potential outcomes and effects within their communities.[27] This divergence of opinions further complicates the resolution of the ongoing debate surrounding the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex.

Some community members view the project as an opportunity to benefit from the injection of money into the area, allowing their communities to combat the chronic poverty and unemployment on the reserves.[27] The project promised to create an average of 975 jobs each year over the lifetime of the project.[10] Hydro-Québec had to negotiate several agreements of consent with the local Innu communities, paying more than CDN$200 million over a 60-year period to compensate for the effects of the dams, roads and electric transmission lines.[14] Through these agreements, individual communities received between 14.5 and 75 million CDN.[27]

However, several Innu communities elected to not accept the compensation packages.[27] Others are not able to come to terms with the destruction of their ancestral lands fearing that their history and culture could be washed away forever.[27] An investigation and public hearing on the project in 2009 noted an elder Ekuanitshit member’s feeling on the project: “If the hydroelectric development project goes ahead today, the territory that was our beautiful land will be flooded. It is also there that I was born. It is therefore obvious that that is what we will lose, those rights—our land will be flooded. Things will never be the same because the land is our identity.”[11]

In addition to the Innu communities, Hydro-Québec reached agreements of compensation with six local Québécois communities who would also be displaced by the hydroelectric project. These agreements are estimated to be worth more than $700 million CDN.[27]

These concerns came to a head a number of times throughout the years, causing plenty of controversies. In March 2012 Quebec Route 138 was blocked at Maliotenam by the Innu, who were demanding compensation for the power lines on their territory. In June 2015 Route 138 was blocked at Pessamit and Maliotenam, and the access road to the construction site was blocked, by construction workers demanding that more local workers be hired. At the time, there were about 2000 workers employed at the project. Out of the 2000 workers, only 170 were Québécois and 144 were members of the Innu community.[29] The work spaces of the project served as a place of conflict. There was an absence of meaningful intercultural relationships due to language barriers and separation of different trades, leading to Innu workers feeling as though they were experiencing discrimination, intimidation, and even racism.[29] Of the Innu’s that were employed, almost all of them worked in the lowest paying, bottom rung jobs.[29] Additionally, there was a high turnover rate among the Innu workers as the work culture of strict hierarchy and rigid routine directly clashed with Innu culture of flexibility and community support.[29] All of these issues lead to many Innu workers experiencing loneliness, isolation, psychological distress, and even falling into alcoholism and drug addiction.[29] In July 2015 the road to the site was blocked by the Innu of Natashquan who felt that Hydro-Quebec did not respect the agreement signed in 2008. In March 2016 a court rejected the demand by Innu families of Uashat mak Mani-utenam to stop the project. In November 2016 there was controversy over the waste of wood cut in the reservoirs.[14]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d Joint Review Panel 2009, p. 3.
  2. ^ a b c Bergeron 2017.
  3. ^ Paul 2009, p. 5.
  4. ^ a b Paul 2009, p. 7.
  5. ^ a b c Centrale de la Romaine-3, Hydro-Québec.
  6. ^ Romaine-3, Barrage de la, X2137423.
  7. ^ Romaine-3, Barrage de la, X2137424.
  8. ^ a b Paul 2009, p. 107.
  9. ^ La Romaine-3, Headrace Excavation.
  10. ^ a b c Romaine Complex. (2023, Hydro-Québec. Retrieved 12/14/23, from https://www.hydroquebec.com/projects/romaine.html
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n (PDF). Québec Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. February 2009. ISBN 978-2-550-55298-7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-12-21.[page needed]
  12. ^ Hydropower's carbon footprint. (2022, International Hydropower Association. Retrieved 12/14/23, from https://www.hydropower.org/factsheets/greenhouse-gas-emissions
  13. ^ a b c "The Romaine complex: clean energy for the next century" (Press release). Hydro-Québec. 12 October 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Inauguration de la centrale Romaine-3.
  15. ^ Paul 2009, p. 14.
  16. ^ Capkun 2013.
  17. ^ Hydro-Quebec seeks bids to build dam...
  18. ^ Crushing works : Romaine-3 hydroelectric project.
  19. ^ Mahoney, Shane P.; Schaefer, James A. (October 2002). "Hydroelectric development and the disruption of migration in caribou". Biological Conservation. 107 (2): 147–153. Bibcode:2002BCons.107..147M. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00052-6. S2CID 83948001.
  20. ^ White, Marianne (27 April 2012). "Quebec Innu challenge Ottawa on Churchill dam; Project would impact caribou, environment". Times-Colonist. p. B.5. ProQuest 1010198517.
  21. ^ Taylor, E. B.; Yau, M. M.; Mattock, A. B. (November 2014). "POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THREE SPECIES OF CO-DISTRIBUTED SALMONID FISHES IN THE PEACE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES NEAR A MAJOR PROPOSED HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA". River Research and Applications. 30 (9): 1120–1133. Bibcode:2014RivRA..30.1120T. doi:10.1002/rra.2712. S2CID 140631007.
  22. ^ a b Hvidsten, Nils Arne; Johnsen, Bjørn Ove (May 1993). "Increased Recapture Rate of Adult Atlantic Salmon Released as Smolts into Large Shoals of Wild Smolts in the River Orkla, Norway". North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 13 (2): 272–276. doi:10.1577/1548-8675(1993)013<0272:IRROAA>2.3.CO;2. hdl:123456789/3513436.
  23. ^ Ingram, E. (2023, Oct 16,). Hydro-Québec officially completes 1.55 GW Romaine hydroelectric complex. https://www.power-eng.com/news/hydro-quebec-officially-completes-1-55-gw-romaine-hydroelectric-complex/#gref
  24. ^ a b c d e Calder, Ryan S. D.; Schartup, Amina T.; Li, Miling; Valberg, Amelia P.; Balcom, Prentiss H.; Sunderland, Elsie M. (6 December 2016). "Future Impacts of Hydroelectric Power Development on Methylmercury Exposures of Canadian Indigenous Communities". Environmental Science & Technology. 50 (23): 13115–13122. Bibcode:2016EnST...5013115C. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b04447. hdl:10919/115485. S2CID 14397635.
  25. ^ Popek, Emma (2018). "Environmental Chemical Pollutants". Sampling and Analysis of Environmental Chemical Pollutants. pp. 13–69. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803202-2.00002-1. ISBN 9780128032022.
  26. ^ Bilodeau, François; Therrien, Jean; Schetagne, Roger (2 October 2017). "Intensity and duration of effects of impoundment on mercury levels in fishes of hydroelectric reservoirs in northern Québec (Canada)". Inland Waters. 7 (4): 493–503. Bibcode:2017InWat...7..493B. doi:10.1080/20442041.2017.1401702.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lathem, Alexis (18 December 2014). "Rage On, Sweet Romaine - A\J". A\J.
  28. ^ Lavoie, Kathia; Hébert, Patrick (3 September 2022). "Environmental follow-up of land use and occupation: an impact management tool for the Romaine hydroelectric complex". Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal. 40 (5): 372–383. Bibcode:2022IAPA...40..372L. doi:10.1080/14615517.2022.2082240. S2CID 249940264.
  29. ^ a b c d e Guimond, Laurie; Desmeules, Alexia (December 2018). "Indigenous minorities on major northern worksites: Employment, space of encounter, sense of place". Geoforum. 97: 219–230. doi:10.1016/j.geoforum.2018.09.007. S2CID 149524972.

Sources edit

  • Bergeron, Patrice (18 October 2017), "La centrale Romaine-3 inaugurée sur la Côte-Nord", Le Soleil (in French), retrieved 2019-10-18
  • Capkun, Anthony (31 July 2013), "Alstom supplying turbine-generator units for Hydro-Quebec's La Romaine 3", Electrical Business, retrieved 2019-10-18
  • Centrale de la Romaine-3 (in French), Hydro-Québec, retrieved 2019-10-18
  • Crushing works : Romaine-3 hydroelectric project, Groupe Gilbert, 26 June 2017, retrieved 2019-10-18
  • "Hydro-Quebec seeks bids to build dam for 395-MW Romaine 3 hydroelectric project", Hydro Review, 24 September 2013, retrieved 2019-10-18
  • "Inauguration de la centrale Romaine-3", Ici Radio Canada (in French), 19 October 2017, retrieved 2019-10-18
  • Joint Review Panel (February 2009), (PDF), Ottawa: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Quebec bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement, archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2021, retrieved December 21, 2021
  • La Romaine-3, Headrace Excavation, EBC Inc., retrieved 2019-10-18
  • Paul, Mireille (17 April 2009), Rapport d'analyse environnementale pour le projet d'aménagement du complexe hydroélectrique de la rivière Romaine ... par Hydro-Québec (PDF) (in French), retrieved 2019-10-18
  • Romaine-3, Barrage de la, X2137423 (in French), Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, retrieved 2019-10-18
  • Romaine-3, Barrage de la, X2137424 (in French), Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, retrieved 2019-10-18

April 10, 2024
romaine, generating, station, french, centrale, romaine, hydroelectric, generating, station, romaine, river, that, four, generating, stations, romaine, hydroelectric, complex, côte, nord, region, province, quebec, canada, owned, operated, hydro, québec, mista,. The Romaine 3 Generating Station French Centrale de la Romaine 3 is a 395 MW hydroelectric generating station on the Romaine River that is one of four generating stations in the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex in the Cote Nord region of the province of Quebec Canada It is owned and operated by Hydro Quebec Romaine 3 Generating StationMista Camp Romaine 3Location of Romaine 3 Generating Station in QuebecOfficial nameCentrale de la Romaine 3CountryCanadaLocationLac Jerome Minganie Cote Nord QuebecCoordinates51 07 51 N 63 24 49 W 51 130860 N 63 413634 W 51 130860 63 413634PurposeHydroelectricOwner s Hydro QuebecDam and spillwaysImpoundsRomaine RiverHeight foundation 95 metres 312 ft Height thalweg 92 8 metres 304 ft Length415 metres 1 362 ft ReservoirSurface area38 6 square kilometres 14 9 sq mi Coordinates51 06 51 N 63 24 01 W 51 114205 N 63 400275 W 51 114205 63 400275Operator s Hydro QuebecCommission date2017Turbines2 Francis verticalInstalled capacity395 MW 1 Capacity factor0 58 1 Annual generation2 TWh 1 Contents 1 Description 2 History 3 Environmental Impacts 4 Controversies 5 Notes 6 SourcesDescription editThe dams and generating station are part of a huge hydroelectric complex with four dams that was launched in 2009 under the government of Jean Charest 2 At maximum level the Romaine 3 reservoir area is 38 6 square kilometres 14 9 sq mi The drawdown level is 13 metres 43 ft 3 Surface altitude varies from 352 8 to 365 8 metres 1 157 to 1 200 ft 4 The main dam is the second highest in the Romaine complex after Romaine 2 5 There are two dams both completed in 2017 The main retaining dam is 95 metres 312 ft high with thalweg height of 92 8 metres 304 ft and length of 415 metres 1 362 ft The holding capacity is 1 878 000 000 cubic metres 6 63 1010 cu ft It is a rockfill dam with zoned core built on treated rock 6 The smaller B3 dyke is west of the main dam and contains the spillway It is 30 metres 98 ft high with thalweg height 27 8 metres 91 ft and length of 257 6 metres 845 ft The holding capacity is 960 000 000 cubic metres 3 4 1010 cu ft It is a concrete gravity dam built on treated rock 7 The main dam is between PK158 and PK159 on the river The spillway discharges into the Romaine River at PK158 A gallery leads from a point southeast of the main dam to the generating station south of the dam at PK155 on the river 8 A total of about 2 4 kilometres 1 5 mi of tunnels were excavated including the headrace tunnel penstocks and a surge chamber The headrace tunnel is 1 662 metres 5 453 ft long 16 metres 52 ft wide and 12 metres 39 ft high 9 The generating station discharges into the head of the Romaine 2 reservoir at a maximum elevation of 243 8 metres 800 ft 8 The generating station has installed capacity of 395 MW 5 Average annual energy production is 2 TWh with a capacity factor of 0 58 4 1 The argument in favor for the construction of the La Romaine hydroelectric complex revolves around the positive economic and climate impacts that the project promised It was estimated that the project would bring about numerous economic benefits to the local population and to the large region as a whole At the local level the project was expected to create 975 jobs every single year throughout the project s lifetime 10 At the regional level business advocates for the project stated that La Romaine would ensure the competitiveness of businesses and industries alike for the short medium and long term future They argued that the project would ensure a reliable energy supply and surplus that would allow for industry growth all at a competitive electricity price 11 Currently the plant has the lowest electricity rates in North America Plante 2023 Hydro Quebec estimated that the economic spinoff created by the project would be around 3 5 billion for the entirety of Quebec and 1 3 billion for the Cote Nord region 10 Additionally advocates highlighted the significant contributions that hydroelectric power generates for the Generations Fund in form of royalties This fund benefits Quebec by helping the province reduce debt and address social issues 11 Hydroelectric power like other forms of renewable energy has a much lower greenhouse gas emissions than other sources of electricity 12 This was a prominent argument made by advocates who were in favor of the construction of the complex The complex would create 8 TWh of electricity yearly which would be enough to power 470 000 households 13 Hydroelectric power can be directly attributed to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector as hydroelectricity is the main source of energy for the residential industrial and commercial sectors in Quebec 11 History editThe overall Romaine project was formally launched by Jean Charest in May 2009 14 A 150 kilometres 93 mi road was built to provide access to the four dams 2 The Mista camp was built at PK 118 on this road to accommodate the workers assigned to the Romaine 3 and Romaine 4 facilities It could accommodate up to 1 744 people 15 In July 2013 Alstom was awarded a contract to supply install and commission two 200MW vertical Francis turbine generator units with butterfly valves and regulation systems at Romaine 3 16 In September 2013 Hydro Quebec called for bids to construct the dam and embankment B3 excavate the spillway and intake channel and undertake other related work 17 A crushing works was built in 2014 2015 to make gravel for use in the Romaine 3 concrete 18 In March 2015 a shovel operator died in the Romaine 3 site after the ice of a drainage channel broke under his vehicle 14 In a separate incident 4 workers were killed in an accident 13 The Romaine 3 Generating Station came into service in 2017 5 It was inaugurated by Quebec premier Philippe Couillard and Hydro Quebec President Eric Martel in a ceremony on 19 October 2017 2 The plant was to be connected to the Quebec electrical grid in phases 14 In September 2017 Hydro Quebec had said it had no plans for more dams due to the present surplus of electricity 14 Couillard confirmed that no more major projects were planned 14 All parts of the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex were successfully completed and Hydro Quebec inaugurated the Complex in October 2023 13 Environmental Impacts editA 2009 joint review panel on the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex highlighted the main areas of the environment that would be adversely affected by the creation of the dam and the subsequent water reservoirs would be the Woodland caribou population birdlife and fish populations 11 As a consequence of the diminishing available habitats resulting from the establishment of water reservoirs and extensive logging practices within the region there is a projected decline foreseen in the population of Woodland caribou 11 This anticipated decline is intricately linked to the sensitivity exhibited by caribou in their migratory behaviors towards various human induced activities such as construction undertakings heightened vehicular traffic the existence of substantial structures and amplified levels of ambient noise 19 The unfortunate reduction in the number of Woodland caribou is poised to negatively impact the longstanding and integral traditional activities practiced by the Innu communities in the affected area 11 It s noteworthy that in 2003 the Innu of Ekuanitshit petitioned the federal courts seeking intervention to halt the proposed construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Romaine River White 2012 Their plea was rooted in profound concerns regarding the potential detrimental effects that the hydroelectric dam project could inflict upon the Woodland caribou population recognizing the vital interdependence between the caribou s well being and their own cultural practices and heritage 20 In the joint review panel multiple organizations came forward to voice concerns for the birdlife that lives in the affected area of the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex The species of concern included the Barrow s Goldeneye Sternidae Boreal Pewee Rusty Blackbird and Kirtland s Warbler 11 There were also concerns that the transmission lines connected to the plant may interfere with migrating birds 11 Additionally there were allegations that Hydro Quebec had not considered the possible effects that the hydroelectric plant would have on specific species that were already experiencing population decline 11 Overall there was much concern over the loss of habitat due to logging and reservoir creation 11 Most organizations called for additional studies on the effects on birdlife in the region to be completed before the project moved forward in order to determine if additional mitigation or compensation methods would be necessary 11 Many concerns were raised about the hydroelectric complex s potential negative impact on the size of fish populations and on the genetic diversity of fish populations specifically salmon populations in the Romaine River 11 These concerns were rooted in observations made at other rivers that hydroelectric dams have been built on Environmental and habitat transformations caused by human activity such as the construction of a hydroelectric dam are recognized as the biggest reason for population decline and species loss in freshwater systems 21 Hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin were the main cause of juvenile fish mortality as the fish attempted to migrate downstream 22 The same study found that mitigation efforts benefited other fish species but not salmon 22 It was questioned whether the proposed mitigation strategies would be effective enough to alleviate the effects of the dams on fish populations As of October 2023 mitigation efforts included the seeding of Atlantic salmon lake trout and landlocked salmon 23 Another area of possible concern is bioaccumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury 24 Bioaccumulation occurs when chemicals build up in an organism because they are taken in faster than they are expelled These chemicals get into the organism either from the environment like soil water or air or through what the organism eats 25 When soil is flooded the breaking down of labile organic carbon and subsequent changes in geochemical conditions causes the production of methylmercury MeHg 24 In the newly created reservoirs of other Canadian hydroelectric dams methylmercury levels have seen a 2 6 2 8 times increase in concentration 24 26 Innu communities regularly engage in traditional hunting practices of the local wildlife 27 However this may cause biomagnification exposing them to harmful levels of methylmercury 24 A study on the bioaccumulation of methylmercury noted the following In northern indigenous populations increased MeHg exposure has been significantly associated with cardiovascular risk factors for adults such as increased resting heart rate and heart rate variability as well as increased incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD among children with high prenatal exposures Acute MeHg toxicity is associated with widespread neurological abnormalities paresthesia and ataxia 24 Controversies editThe primary controversy surrounding the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex predominantly revolves around its impact on the Innu tribal group The construction of the complex and its associated infrastructure has directly encroached upon the traditional lands of the Innu people 28 Specifically the Ekuanitshit and Nutashkuan communities stand to face the most adverse consequences resulting from the implementation of this project 11 Over the span of thousands of years the Innu have established their livelihood through the time honored practice of fishing for char eel brook trout and whitefish in the upper reaches of the Romaine River 27 Additionally during the summer seasons they have historically harvested salmon from the pools downstream of the Grandes Chutes sustaining their cultural practices and heritage 27 Importantly the local Innu communities exhibit diverse perspectives regarding the merits of the project lacking consensus on its potential outcomes and effects within their communities 27 This divergence of opinions further complicates the resolution of the ongoing debate surrounding the La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex Some community members view the project as an opportunity to benefit from the injection of money into the area allowing their communities to combat the chronic poverty and unemployment on the reserves 27 The project promised to create an average of 975 jobs each year over the lifetime of the project 10 Hydro Quebec had to negotiate several agreements of consent with the local Innu communities paying more than CDN 200 million over a 60 year period to compensate for the effects of the dams roads and electric transmission lines 14 Through these agreements individual communities received between 14 5 and 75 million CDN 27 However several Innu communities elected to not accept the compensation packages 27 Others are not able to come to terms with the destruction of their ancestral lands fearing that their history and culture could be washed away forever 27 An investigation and public hearing on the project in 2009 noted an elder Ekuanitshit member s feeling on the project If the hydroelectric development project goes ahead today the territory that was our beautiful land will be flooded It is also there that I was born It is therefore obvious that that is what we will lose those rights our land will be flooded Things will never be the same because the land is our identity 11 In addition to the Innu communities Hydro Quebec reached agreements of compensation with six local Quebecois communities who would also be displaced by the hydroelectric project These agreements are estimated to be worth more than 700 million CDN 27 These concerns came to a head a number of times throughout the years causing plenty of controversies In March 2012 Quebec Route 138 was blocked at Maliotenam by the Innu who were demanding compensation for the power lines on their territory In June 2015 Route 138 was blocked at Pessamit and Maliotenam and the access road to the construction site was blocked by construction workers demanding that more local workers be hired At the time there were about 2000 workers employed at the project Out of the 2000 workers only 170 were Quebecois and 144 were members of the Innu community 29 The work spaces of the project served as a place of conflict There was an absence of meaningful intercultural relationships due to language barriers and separation of different trades leading to Innu workers feeling as though they were experiencing discrimination intimidation and even racism 29 Of the Innu s that were employed almost all of them worked in the lowest paying bottom rung jobs 29 Additionally there was a high turnover rate among the Innu workers as the work culture of strict hierarchy and rigid routine directly clashed with Innu culture of flexibility and community support 29 All of these issues lead to many Innu workers experiencing loneliness isolation psychological distress and even falling into alcoholism and drug addiction 29 In July 2015 the road to the site was blocked by the Innu of Natashquan who felt that Hydro Quebec did not respect the agreement signed in 2008 In March 2016 a court rejected the demand by Innu families of Uashat mak Mani utenam to stop the project In November 2016 there was controversy over the waste of wood cut in the reservoirs 14 Notes edit a b c d Joint Review Panel 2009 p 3 a b c Bergeron 2017 Paul 2009 p 5 a b Paul 2009 p 7 a b c Centrale de la Romaine 3 Hydro Quebec Romaine 3 Barrage de la X2137423 Romaine 3 Barrage de la X2137424 a b Paul 2009 p 107 La Romaine 3 Headrace Excavation a b c Romaine Complex 2023 Hydro Quebec Retrieved 12 14 23 from https www hydroquebec com projects romaine html a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Romaine Hydroelectric Complex Project Investigation and Public Hearing Report PDF Quebec Bureau d audiences publiques sur l environnement February 2009 ISBN 978 2 550 55298 7 Archived from the original PDF on 2021 12 21 page needed Hydropower s carbon footprint 2022 International Hydropower Association Retrieved 12 14 23 from https www hydropower org factsheets greenhouse gas emissions a b c The Romaine complex clean energy for the next century Press release Hydro Quebec 12 October 2023 a b c d e f g Inauguration de la centrale Romaine 3 Paul 2009 p 14 Capkun 2013 Hydro Quebec seeks bids to build dam Crushing works Romaine 3 hydroelectric project Mahoney Shane P Schaefer James A October 2002 Hydroelectric development and the disruption of migration in caribou Biological Conservation 107 2 147 153 Bibcode 2002BCons 107 147M doi 10 1016 S0006 3207 02 00052 6 S2CID 83948001 White Marianne 27 April 2012 Quebec Innu challenge Ottawa on Churchill dam Project would impact caribou environment Times Colonist p B 5 ProQuest 1010198517 Taylor E B Yau M M Mattock A B November 2014 POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THREE SPECIES OF CO DISTRIBUTED SALMONID FISHES IN THE PEACE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES NEAR A MAJOR PROPOSED HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA River Research and Applications 30 9 1120 1133 Bibcode 2014RivRA 30 1120T doi 10 1002 rra 2712 S2CID 140631007 a b Hvidsten Nils Arne Johnsen Bjorn Ove May 1993 Increased Recapture Rate of Adult Atlantic Salmon Released as Smolts into Large Shoals of Wild Smolts in the River Orkla Norway North American Journal of Fisheries Management 13 2 272 276 doi 10 1577 1548 8675 1993 013 lt 0272 IRROAA gt 2 3 CO 2 hdl 123456789 3513436 Ingram E 2023 Oct 16 Hydro Quebec officially completes 1 55 GW Romaine hydroelectric complex https www power eng com news hydro quebec officially completes 1 55 gw romaine hydroelectric complex gref a b c d e Calder Ryan S D Schartup Amina T Li Miling Valberg Amelia P Balcom Prentiss H Sunderland Elsie M 6 December 2016 Future Impacts of Hydroelectric Power Development on Methylmercury Exposures of Canadian Indigenous Communities Environmental Science amp Technology 50 23 13115 13122 Bibcode 2016EnST 5013115C doi 10 1021 acs est 6b04447 hdl 10919 115485 S2CID 14397635 Popek Emma 2018 Environmental Chemical Pollutants Sampling and Analysis of Environmental Chemical Pollutants pp 13 69 doi 10 1016 B978 0 12 803202 2 00002 1 ISBN 9780128032022 Bilodeau Francois Therrien Jean Schetagne Roger 2 October 2017 Intensity and duration of effects of impoundment on mercury levels in fishes of hydroelectric reservoirs in northern Quebec Canada Inland Waters 7 4 493 503 Bibcode 2017InWat 7 493B doi 10 1080 20442041 2017 1401702 a b c d e f g h i Lathem Alexis 18 December 2014 Rage On Sweet Romaine A J A J Lavoie Kathia Hebert Patrick 3 September 2022 Environmental follow up of land use and occupation an impact management tool for the Romaine hydroelectric complex Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 40 5 372 383 Bibcode 2022IAPA 40 372L doi 10 1080 14615517 2022 2082240 S2CID 249940264 a b c d e Guimond Laurie Desmeules Alexia December 2018 Indigenous minorities on major northern worksites Employment space of encounter sense of place Geoforum 97 219 230 doi 10 1016 j geoforum 2018 09 007 S2CID 149524972 Sources editBergeron Patrice 18 October 2017 La centrale Romaine 3 inauguree sur la Cote Nord Le Soleil in French retrieved 2019 10 18 Capkun Anthony 31 July 2013 Alstom supplying turbine generator units for Hydro Quebec s La Romaine 3 Electrical Business retrieved 2019 10 18 Centrale de la Romaine 3 in French Hydro Quebec retrieved 2019 10 18 Crushing works Romaine 3 hydroelectric project Groupe Gilbert 26 June 2017 retrieved 2019 10 18 Hydro Quebec seeks bids to build dam for 395 MW Romaine 3 hydroelectric project Hydro Review 24 September 2013 retrieved 2019 10 18 Inauguration de la centrale Romaine 3 Ici Radio Canada in French 19 October 2017 retrieved 2019 10 18 Joint Review Panel February 2009 Romaine Hydroelectric Complex Project PDF Ottawa Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Quebec bureau d audiences publiques sur l environnement archived from the original PDF on December 21 2021 retrieved December 21 2021 La Romaine 3 Headrace Excavation EBC Inc retrieved 2019 10 18 Paul Mireille 17 April 2009 Rapport d analyse environnementale pour le projet d amenagement du complexe hydroelectrique de la riviere Romaine par Hydro Quebec PDF in French retrieved 2019 10 18 Romaine 3 Barrage de la X2137423 in French Ministere de l Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques retrieved 2019 10 18 Romaine 3 Barrage de la X2137424 in French Ministere de l Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques retrieved 2019 10 18 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Romaine 3 Generating Station amp oldid 1194024160, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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