2025-Aug-27
TC Energy Begins Underwater Drilling in Georgian Bay
A large barge has appeared on Georgian Bay near Meaford, marking the start of TC Energy’s geotechnical testing for their proposed $7 billion pumped storage facility. However, the project still lacks crucial approvals from both the federal and Ontario governments, raising concerns about oversight and accountability. The testing, which began on July 28, will run through the end of September and aims to evaluate the geological conditions beneath the lakebed.
TC Energy has engaged WSP, a top Canadian engineering firm, to oversee the geotechnical program. Despite the lack of approvals, the company is moving forward with the testing, which involves drilling narrow, deep holes into the seabed. Save Georgian Bay (SGB) is calling for a halt to the work, demanding a comprehensive environmental assessment before any construction proceeds. They argue that the project’s potential environmental impact could be devastating.
SGB’s Protest Flotilla Rallies Against TC Energy’s Georgian Bay Pumped Storage Project
On August 23, a diverse flotilla of over 40 boats, kayaks, and paddleboards, dubbed “Anchors Away to Save Georgian Bay,” gathered near the proposed site to protest the drilling and TC Energy’s proposed pumped storage project. The drilling rig was towed to a new location farther north of Meaford the night before the widely-publicized protest, yet protesters brandished signs and megaphones, demanding an end to the project during the three-hour demonstration.
Concerns About the Project
GBA has expressed concerns about the project’s potential environmental impact, including:
- Harm to aquatic life, including fish and species at risk
- Water quality issues: potential toxin leaching from munitions and heavy metals
- Ecosystem disruption: increased turbidity, habitat damage, and altered current
SGB flotilla protest August 23, 2025
The Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has twice declined to support the proposal, citing poor ratepayer value, lower-cost options, and less invasive alternatives like battery storage. The proposed facility would store power for generation during high-demand hours by cycling water between Georgian Bay and a proposed 375-acre reservoir on the Niagara Escarpment.
Read the press release from Save Georgian Bay here.