Environmental Assessment (EA) is a review and planning process for identifying the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects of proposed development projects, in order to consider and incorporate these into project planning and decision making. It involves predicting and evaluating a project's potential effects, as well as identifying and proposing measures to avoid or reduce adverse outcomes and to enhance any benefits. Public and stakeholder involvement is a fundamental aspect of the EA process.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, proposed development projects may be subject to provincial and/or federal EA requirements. The Labrador - Island Transmission Link was registered under the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Protection Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in January 2009, in order to formally initiate the provincial and federal EA reviews of the Project.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required for the Project, which will be prepared by Nalcor Energy following extensive public consultation. This EIS will present results of the EA, and will include the following key components:

Once completed, the EIS will be submitted by Nalcor Energy for review by government and the public, likely in 2010. Ultimately, the provincial and federal Ministers will, based on the results of the EA and its public review, decide whether the Project can proceed, and if so, under what terms and conditions.

Public and Stakeholder Consultation

Public consultation is the cornerstone of the EA process. Both the provincial and federal EA processes provide considerable opportunities for interested parties to ask questions and bring forward their issues and views about a project and its potential effects. This includes consultation by governments (as regulators), and by the proponent itself in conducting the EA.

For the Transmission Link, public input has been or will be invited by governments in the development of EA Guidelines and in the eventual review of the EA Report. Nalcor Energy is also consulting directly with the public and stakeholders through meetings and open houses, guided by its consultation principles. Websites and other mechanisms will also be used to provide Project information on an ongoing basis.