Environmental technician gaining valuable experience through Calabogie Redevelopment project
Carly Lance is thoroughly enjoying her job protecting the environment and wildlife on OPG’s Calabogie Generating Station redevelopment project.
The Junior Health, Safety and Environment Assistant was hired last July with local contractor M. Sullivan and Son Ltd. (part of the SNC-Sullivan Joint Venture), who is leading construction on the clean energy project in eastern Ontario.
A graduate of the Fish and Wildlife Technologist program at Fleming College in Lindsay, the job plays to her strengths and love of nature, and is providing her valuable experience for her new career.
“I was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley, so I’ve always had a love for wildlife and the outdoors. I was always out camping, fishing or boating with my family growing up,” said Lance, a member of the Algonquins of Greater Golden Lake First Nation in nearby Petawawa. “It’s who I am. And I love being out here doing the fieldwork. I really love my job.”
The Calabogie redevelopment will see a new hydro generating facility replace the original, century-old powerhouse on the Madawaska River. When it goes into service in 2022, the new two-unit station will double the output of clean hydro power at the site from five to approximately 11 megawatts by making better use of the existing water available.
“I was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley, so I’ve always had a love for wildlife and the outdoors. It’s who I am. And I love being out here doing the fieldwork. I really love my job.”Carly Lance, Junior Health, Safety and Environment Assistant
The project is boosting employment and economic benefits in the region, including hiring of local Indigenous community members. It is just one of many hydro overhauls and redevelopments planned over the coming decades to improve efficiency and help OPG meet its net-zero goals outlined in its Climate Change Plan.
Lance applied for her job after seeing a posting through her First Nation. In her role, she helps ensure that all of the work on site follows environmental management plans and permits.
Her main responsibilities include conducting inspections throughout the site, monitoring workers, and walking five kilometres every week to inspect a silt fence that lines the Calabogie work site, looking for gaps or holes. The fence helps keep out any wildlife from the area, including species at risk, while protecting them from entering into the busy construction zone.
Another important task is taking water samples at the site, to ensure the filtered water that is returned to the nearby Madawaska River meets environmental standards.
Health and safety is also an important part of her job, as she monitors workers to ensure they’re wearing proper personal protective equipment, and that safety is maintained in all work procedures and equipment.
As this was her first job on a construction site, the first few days on the construction site were nerve-wracking, Lance said. But employees from both Sullivan and OPG helped make her feel welcome.
“Honestly, the crew I’m working with has been great,” she said. “Being a young woman in the field, it was a little intimidating at first, but I fit right in with the guys. I’ve met some great people so far through this job.”
With a whole career ahead of her, Lance said she’s looking forward to continuing to work in the field in the future, and is grateful for the experience she is gaining in her current role.
“Building the connections through Calabogie will help me greatly. I’m expanding my knowledge every day, just learning something new all the time, whether that’s dealing with permits or construction work zones. I’m learning a lot, and every little bit will help in the future.”
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