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How is hydro regulated?

Hydro dams and plants are subject to many provincial and federal standards and regulations.

In most provinces, they are licensed or authorized under provincial legislation. These licenses set out operating guidelines for different aspects of a plant’s operation, including river flows.

The federal government also assesses and approves new hydro plants. Under Canada’s Fisheries Act, for example, federal regulators may consider a project’s potential impacts on local fisheries and the different options available, including the use of fish passageways.

Full compliance with these and other regulations is a basic goal for power companies. Power companies and regulators work together to manage water flows and levels, control flooding, limit erosion and meet different environmental, commercial and recreational interests.

Source of image: Hydro-Québec View larger

Before they can be built, proposed hydro projects must go through involved regulatory processes that look at their potential impacts on the environment and local community. Different aspects of the project development — water flow, water quality, wildlife protection, water shed management and the well-being of local communities — are considered.