The Mohawk City Council of Kahnawà:ke and Hydro-Québec have signed an agreement for the joint ownership of the Hertel-New York Interconnection Transmission Line (Hertel Line) on Thursday.
They held a ceremony on the Mohawk Territory for this historic event.
“When I look to the future, one thing is clear: the immense challenge of the energy transition will require creativity and open minds,” said Sabia. “The agreement we celebrate today with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke is a true testament to that spirit of innovation.”
The official Hertel Line agreement was signed by Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Hydro-Québec Chief Executive Officer Micheal Sabia and Quebec Minister responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit Ian Lafrenière.
“This agreement is especially remarkable because it will be the first time that Hydro-Québec shares ownership of its transmission infrastructure with a third part and a First Nation community,” said chief Sky-Deer in a press release.
The Hertel Line will be a 58km, 400 kV underground transmission line that will run from the Hertel substation in La Prairie to the Richelieu River, where it will cross into New York.
The new line will carry 1,250 MW of renewable electricity to New York City, which can power up to one million homes, reads the press release.
“Kanien’kehá:ka ironworkers helped build the New York City skyline and now Kahnawà:ke will contribute to the city in a different way by transporting renewable energy to light up the very skyline that Mohawks built,” explained Chief Sky-Deer.
As part of the project agreement, Hydro-Québec is donating $10 million to the new Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Centre, making them the leading donor on the project.
The Hertel Line is set to be commissioned in 2026.
“This agreement today, gives me hope that more partnerships like this one will materialize in the future so that more communities can be included in major projects,” concluded Lafrenière in a press release.