KAHNAWAKE, QC , June14, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke ("MCK") is pleased to announce that it has reached a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Hydro-Québec to partner on the Hertel-New York Interconnection Project to transmit green renewable energy to New York City in the event that Hydro-Québec wins the energy supply contract. This is a historic achievement for both Kahnawà:ke and Hydro-Québec: the first shared ownership agreement for an export transmission line.
The MCK will become joint owners of a 400-kV underground transmission line that will run from the Hertel substation in La Prairie to the US border – where it will connect with the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a line which will be built between the Canadian border and Astoria , Queens, New York .
Per the MOU, the MCK will support the construction of the line and the project and will benefit from the revenues over a 40-year term. Please note that a number of issues remain to be negotiated and discussed before the parties sign definitive agreements if Hydro-Québec wins the bid.
As the line will be constructed on Seigneury of Sault St. Louis lands, it was important for the MCK to forge a strategic partnership with Hydro-Québec. As the Hertel Line will be carrying a renewable source of energy which will help decarbonize New York City – a city which Mohawk iron workers helped build – this project meets MCK's objectives of investing in environmentally sustainable projects.
This is a major accomplishment for Kahnawà:ke and a great step forward for Hydro-Québec in its relationship with the community, which exemplifies what it means to be a good corporate citizen. This project demonstrates that collaborating with an Indigenous community can prove to be mutually beneficial for industry and Indigenous communities alike. With the impact of COVID-19 on community funds, this project will help stabilize the community balance sheet and will help Kahnawà:ke become increasingly self-sufficient, which is a key to self-reliance.
Further developments on the project and partnership with Hydro-Québec will be announced as they become available.
http://www.kahnawake.com/pr_text.asp?ID=5554
http://news.hydroquebec.com/en/press-releases/1727
As per the MCK Communications Protocol, all media requests must be arranged through the Public Relations / Communications Unit
SOURCE Mohawk Council of Kahnawake
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