The Canadian electrical energy industry is crucial for powering homes, businesses, and industries across the country, driving economic activity and supporting daily life.
Electrical distributors, as owners and operators of kilometres of lines, transformers, and distribution sites, face substantial environmental liability. With sizeable investments in property and equipment, every distribution company owes it to themselves to be informed about the status of their potential environmental risks.
Our portfolio encompasses a diverse range of past power generation and distribution projects, including:
- Review of analytical results, ECAs, site imagery, and subsurface regional geology
- Completion of an online EASR submission for power generation site dewatering
- Preparation of Water Taking and Discharge reports as required by EASR regulations
- Monitoring air and water quality to ensure compliance with government regulations
- Implementing protective measures to mitigate environmental impacts on the site and surrounding areas
- Monitoring air pollution measures to reduce emissions of pollutants, such as the release of airborne emissions from smokestacks
- Ensuring compliance with all regulations that govern excess soil and hazardous waste management
- On-site testing to quickly identify and characterize contamination at active hydro sites
- Portfolio reviews including screening assessments on transformer-housing electrical distribution sites and wind turbine sites
- UAV footage to support maintenance checks on hydro generating equipment
- Phase One and Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments
- Soil and groundwater remediation programs
AEL has completed hundreds of investigations and remediations at hydro utility sites including environmental screening assessments at a portfolio of transformer-housing electrical distribution sites.
Common Environmental Issues at Hydro Utility Sites
Due to the industrial nature of electrical generation and distributions sites, there is a high likelihood that one or more of the following contaminants is present at a company’s distribution sites:
Arsenic
Very common contaminant due to its common historical use as a herbicide (in the form of arsenic trioxide) at distribution sites across Ontario
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Manufactured as an insulating fluid in electrical transformers prior to its ban in 1977. Often included in “transformer oil”, it may still be present in old transformers manufactured before 1977.
Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHCs)
Transformer oils generally show up as petroleum hydrocarbons during an environmental investigation. Although different in composition from automotive oils and fuels, they fall under similar restrictions in the environmental regulations.
Solutions for Hydro Utilities
AEL’s years of experience at high-hazard electrical sites allow our staff a comprehensive understanding of the environmental issues experienced at utility properties and the expertise to work safely in these environments.
Discuss your site-specific needs with one of our experienced environmental professionals today.
AEL Environment is Trusted by
What Our Customers Have To Say
AEL worked with us to assess, remediate, and file RSCs for a number of our sites. They used innovative technology in efficient ways, reducing the cost and working within our time frames. Their team is technically strong, and also able to communicate well.
Vince Polsoni, Manager of Station Sustainment
PowerStream Inc.
Every Property Has a History, We Can Help You Interpret the Past to Prepare for the Future
AEL environment is focused on creating tailored solutions based on your end goals for each property.
Let’s talk, and our team will guide you through the process.
Our Process
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1. Discover
Every property is unique. We will listen carefully and seek clarity to ensure we understand your site’s unique details and goals.
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2. Identify
We will recommend an optimal approach, innovative and cost-effective services and solutions for your site, focused on achieving your desired outcome.
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3. Analyze
Once authorized, we will complete the required research, testing, consulting or reports to required standards. We take the time to review any results and reports together.