A spokesperson for Manitoba Hydro says they are hoping to begin construction of the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project this winter.

The Clean Environment Commission has approved the proposed transmission line to Minnesota. Bruce Owen commends the Commission on doing a good job of reviewing the route selection process.

"For anyone to suggest that they shucked landowners' concerns aside and gave Manitoba Hydro a green light to build this line, that's not accurate," says Owen.

He notes the Clean Environment Commission, the hearings, the report and all the questions asked were specific and in-depth.

"They reviewed this in a full and proper way, considering everybody's concerns," he says. "It wasn't one-sided in any shape or form."

Owen says this is an international route, which brings about the next challenge. Hydro is now focusing its attention on hearings at the National Energy Board.

"That's our focus right now is making sure we've got our materials all in place and that the Energy Board hearing is as efficient as possible," he adds.

According to Owen, a date for these hearings has not been set. He is also not certain whether the project can be nixed at the National Energy Board level. Though he says they do not anticipate that happening.

Residents of southeast Manitoba witnessed the construction of Bipole 3 in their backyard this year. By comparison, Owen says the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project will be a lot smaller. This one will be an alternating current, compared to Bipole 3 which is a high voltage direct current transmission line. Owen notes alternating current towers are not as large. According to Owen, Bipole 3 should be fully in service by July of next year.

In February of 2016, some landowners near Mitchell held a protest, preventing Manitoba Hydro from being able to access land for Bipole 3. Owen says Hydro doesn't know whether similar protests might happen during construction of the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project. He says there has been no indication of that yet, noting this is a lot smaller footprint than Bipole 3.

"We do have a full and tried and true biosecurity process in place to protect the field and if there is issues we will deal with them as best as we can," he says.

Read More:

Clean Environment Commission Approves Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project