Opitciwan Cogeneration Plant project

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have determined that the Opitciwan Cogeneration Plant Project (the Project) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, with the implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures.  

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors: 

• Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples.  

• Changes to the environment and the impact of these changes on the Indigenous peoples of Canada and on health, social or economic conditions resulting from project activities. 

• Comments received from the public.  

• Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.  

NRCan, CIB, and ECCC are satisfied that the carrying out of the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and thus are able to provide financial assistant to the Proponent to undertake the Project.  

Notice of Intent

Located on the Atikamekw d'Opitciwan Obedjiwan 28 Reserve in Quebec, the Opitciwan Cogeneration Plant project is a 4.8 MW, biomass-fired power plant proposed by the Conseil des Atikamekw d'Opitciwan and the Société en Commandite Onimiskiw Opitciwan. This power plant will use forest biomass generated by the on-site sawmill to create electricity and heat for the community of Opitciwan. This project will be added to the four diesel-powered generators owned and operated by Hydro-Quebec that are currently in service and will ensure the reliability of electricity distribution. The project's footprint will be about 60,000m2 and the maximum area deforested will be 39,594m2. 

Project components include building the cogeneration plant, a fire pond and a septic leaching bed. Potential adverse impacts of the project include impacts to wildlife, including species at risk and migratory birds, through alteration or removal of habitat, impacts on wetlands, groundwater quality, soil quality, air quality during the construction phase and impacts related to accidents and malfunctions from equipment used during construction and operation. As part of the ongoing assessment, appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures are being identified. 

Indigenous Services Canada, a permitting and funding authority for the project, is conducting its own section 82 assessment of the project. The Notice of Intent can be found at the following link: Construction of a cogeneration plant (iaac-aeic.gc.ca) 

Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank must determine whether the proposed Opitciwan Cogeneration Plant project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank are inviting comments from the public on the proposed project to help inform their determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act.  

All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/Protection?culture=en-CA).  

Please submit comments in writing by September 1, 2024, to Federal_Lands-Territoire_Domanial@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca