ATCO Power TransAlta Capital Power Corporation ENMAX Energy

Electricity at a glance
GENERATION
Generating
facilities convert
various forms of
energy into
electric power.
TRANSMISSION
Transmission
lines connect the
power produced
at generating
facilities to
substations.
SUBSTATION
Substations are
the connection
points between
transmission and
distribution
systems.
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution lines
carry electricity
to homes, farms
and businesses.
RETAILERS
Retailers give
consumers a
choice of
electricity service
providers.
YOU
Electricity is
delivered to
homes, farms
and businesses.
ATCO Power
TransAlta
Capital Power Corporation
ENMAX Energy
Wind turbines
Cogeneration plants
AltaLink
ATCO Electric
ENMAX Power (Calgary)
EPCOR (Edmonton)
AltaLink
ATCO Electric
ENMAX Power (Calgary)
EPCOR (Edmonton)
FortisAlberta
ATCO Electric
ENMAX Power (Calgary)
EPCOR (Edmonton)
Rural Electrification
Associations
Direct Energy
ENMAX (Calgary)
EPCOR Energy (Edmonton)
Just Energy Alberta
City of Lethbridge Utilities
Public consultation
Your involvement is important to us.
AltaLink understands that landowners, occupants
and residents have information we need to
consider when evaluating potential routes.
Input from affected stakeholders is very
important to the process of selecting the
route with the lowest overall impact.
We will work with you to ensure your questions
and concerns are understood and responded to.
After this preliminary stage of consultation we
will use your input to refine route options and
will consult with you again about these refined
options in the winter of 2010.
One-on-one consultation
To set up a one-one-one consultation please talk
to an AltaLink representative or call us toll-free
at 1-877-269-5903.
Our information centre also provides the
opportunity to meet with AltaLink representatives
at times convenient for you. The information
centre is scheduled to be open from 12 - 8 p.m.
and is located at 60-1825 Bomford Crescent SW.
The information centre will be open the
following dates:
Thursday, August 19
Thursday, August 12
Friday, August 20
Friday, August 13
Saturday, August 21
Saturday August 14
Key players
AltaLink
AltaLink is an independent company that owns
and operates approximately 11,800 kilometres
of transmission lines and 270 substations.
We provide electric service to more than
85 per cent of Albertans and own the majority
of the transmission system in central and
southern Alberta.
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)
The AESO is an independent, not-for-profit
entity responsible for the safe, reliable and
economic planning and operation of the
Alberta Interconnected Electric System.
The AESO determines the need for transmission
reinforcement and directs Transmission Facility
Owners, such as AltaLink, to submit a Facility
Application for permitting and licensing to construct
and operate transmission facilities.
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)
The AUC is a quasi-judicial agency that ensures
the fair and responsible delivery of our utility
services. The AUC is the provincial regulator
responsible for reviewing Facility Applications.
AUC approval is required before construction
of facilities can occur.
Southern Alberta Transmission
Reinforcement Project
AESO Preferred Option for Transmission Reinforcement in Southern Alberta
Cochrane
Banff
Canmore
Airdrie
Strathmore
Calgary
Bassano
Black Diamond
Turner Valley
Okotoks
Brooks
High River
Nanton
Stavely
British
Columbia
Redcliff
Vauxhall
Claresholm
Medicine Hat
Picture Butte
Granum
Taber
Fort Macleod
Coaldale
Lethbridge
Crowsnest Pass
Substations
500 kV
240 kV
138 kV
69 kV
Rivers
Bow Island
Raymond
Pincher Creek
Foremost
Magrath
Cardston
Milk River
Cities
NID Approved 240 kV Double Circuit
Wind Interest Zones
Canada/United States Border
Potential Areas For Transmission Development
Alberta’s electrical grid needs more capacity
to make room for power generated from new
wind farm projects proposed throughout
southern Alberta. New transmission lines are
required to support this growth and collectively
these projects make up the Southern Alberta
Transmission Reinforcement Project (SATR).
The Medicine Hat 138 kV Project is included
in the SATR. The AESO filed the need for SATR
in a formal application with the AUC in
December 2008. The AUC completed a public
hearing in June 2009 in Lethbridge to review
the need for these projects. The AUC approved
the need for these projects in September 2009.
Saskatchewan
Vulcan
Project overview
Bowmanton
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MEDICINE HAT
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Blume
BULLSHEAD
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Bullshead
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Seven Persons
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The Medicine Hat 138 kV Transmission
Project includes:
• A new 138 kV double circuit transmission line
from the existing Bullshead Substation to the
proposed Bowmanton Substation
• Upgrades to the existing single circuit 138 kV
transmission line between the existing
Medicine Hat Substation and the existing
Chappice Lake Substation area by removing
the existing line and constructing a new
double circuit 138 kV line
• Some structures may be removed, and some
new structures added in the immediate area
around both the Bullshead Substation and
Medicine Hat Substation
• A new 138 kV single circuit transmission line
approximately 800 metres in length connecting
the proposed Bowmantion Substation to the
existing Chappice Lake Substation
• Additions to the proposed Bowmanton
Substation and existing Medicine Hat, Bullshead
and Chappice Lake Substations to accommodate
the proposed new transmission lines
Landowner compensation
AltaLink is committed to providing fair and
reasonable compensation to landowners who
may have transmission facilities on their property.
We provide compensation for easements and
Annual Structure Payments (ASP) for the land
used by our transmission facilities.
Information regarding compensation and the
easement acquisition process will be available
throughout the consultation process.
Environmental evaluation
The environmental evaluation involves reviewing
available databases, maps and other references
along with field surveys. It examines:
• Provincial fisheries, wildlife and vegetation
inventories
• Alberta natural heritage and cultural
area inventories
• Wetlands and water body data
• Environmental literature
• Aerial and roadside reconnaissance
of potential routes
• Public input and regulatory consultation
• Rare plant and vegetation surveys
• Wetland and watercourse surveys
• Wildlife surveys
• Soil and geo-technical assessments
The environmental evaluation will help define
mitigation measures to prevent or reduce
potential environmental impacts. Environment
How does AltaLink consider the environment
in project planning?
• Incorporate environmental evaluation results
into route selection process
• Avoid environmentally sensitive areas
• Where avoidance is not possible, develop
mitigation plans to minimize disturbance
• Parallel existing corridors such as roads,
pipelines, power lines and quarter lines
where applicable
• Ensure routes meet all current
environmental regulations
Route identification process
This diagram shows how we identify potential
route options.
Route identification criteria
The table below lists the general criteria we take
into consideration when identifying and refining
potential routes.
Criteria
Examples
Agricultural
• loss of crops
• r educed efficiency
of field operations
Residential
• loss of developable
lands and constraints
on development
• proximity to residences
Environmental
• alteration of natural
areas and interference
with outdoor educational
opportunities
Cost
• c onstruction costs and
land acquisition costs
Electrical
• reliability and reparability
of the line
Visual
• visual impact of structures
and lines as seen from
residences, farms, roads and
recreational installations
Special
considerations
• electrical interference
with radio transmitting
stations and other
telecommunication
equipment etc.
Please let us know if you think there are other
important criteria we should consider when
refining route options.
Project details
This project involves transmission line
development in the Medicine Hat area.
• A new double circuit 138 kV (138,000 volts)
transmission line approximately 45 to
55 kilometres in length, from the existing
Bullshead Substation (located about three
kilometres south-west of Desert Blume)
to the proposed Bowmanton Substation
(located on the east side of Range Road 43,
south of Township Road 144). From the proposed
Bowmanton Substation to Township Road 114,
the
eastern
most
proposed
routing
parallels
/675L
a portion of the proposed East Medicine Hat
to Whitla transmission line route.
17.0m - 23.5m
17.0m - 23.5m
5m
1m
CUIT POLE
PROPOSED: 138kV DOUBLE CIRCUIT POLE
PROPOSED LINE 674L/675L
• A new single circuit 138 kV transmission line
approximately 800 metres in length between
the existing Chappice Lake Substation and the
proposed Bowmanton Substation.
GLE CIRCUIT
E
17.0m - 23.5m
17.0m - 23.5m
4m
1m
PROPOSED: 138kV SINGLE CIRCUIT POLE
Whitla\Drawings\0964L\Orig\max 138Kv brochure\138Kv brochure R1.dgn
PROPOSED
Project details – continued
• Upgrade the existing single circuit 138 kV
transmission line between the existing
Medicine Hat Substation (located near the
Trans-Canada Highway and Power House Road)
and the existing Chappice Substation (located
east of Range Road 43, and south of Township
Road 144, approximately 800 metres from the
proposed Bowmanton Substation) to double
circuit 138 kV. The rebuilt line will connect
POSED LINE 674L/675L
PROPOSED LINE 674L/675L
to the proposed Bowmanton Substation,
approximately 27 kilometres in length.
5m
4m
1m
17.0m - 23.5m
17.0m - 23.5m
17.0m - 23.5m
4m
17.0m - 23.5m
4m
1m
138kV
SINGLE138kV
CIRCUIT
POLECIRCUIT
EXISTING:
SINGLE
WOOD POLE
1m
1m
PROPOSED:
138kV DOUBLE
CIRCUITCIRCUIT
POLE POLE
PROPOSED:
138kV SINGLE
The proposed transmission structures will be
spaced approximately 140 metres apart (460 feet).
Some route segments follow open and unopen
road allowances. In these circumstances
structures will typically be placed one metre
within the area boundary. Where not on a road
allowance a right-of-way 20 metres in width
(65 feet) will be required.
chure R1.dgn
ect1\62294
SATR Stgae 1.E Med Hat To Whitla\Drawings\0964L\Orig\max 138Kv brochure\138Kv brochure R1.dgn
Substations
• Improvements to the existing Medicine Hat,
Bullshead and Chappice Lake substations
will occur on property within the substation
fenced area.
• Electrical equipment, and two transformers,
will be added within the fenced boundaries
of the proposed Bowmanton Substation.
These transformers will adjust voltage levels
from 240 kV to 138 kV and allow movement
of power along the wires. The proposed
Bowmanton Substation is part of the Cassils
to Bowmanton project.
Chappice Lake Substation
Medicine Hat Substation
Bullshead Substation
Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)
AltaLink’s position on EMF
AltaLink recognizes that some people are
concerned about EMF and we treat those
concerns very seriously.
Based on more than 30 years of research,
national and international health agencies have
not concluded that EMF associated with high
voltage transmission lines will adversely affect
your health or the health of plants and animals.
They have not recommended the general public
take steps to limit their everyday exposure to
EMF. AltaLink will ensure any problems caused by
interference from our facilities are corrected and
all applicable guidelines are met.
Where can you find EMF?
• Earth’s magnetic field
• electric facilities
• appliances
• building wiring
Common questions around electrical effects include:
Will there be TV/radio interference?
There is no impact on cable TV. Other impacts
can typically be mitigated.
Will Global Positioning Systems be affected?
There is typically no impact.
Will there be wireless internet interference?
There is typically no impact.
Will there be any affect to cardiac pacemakers?
Most have shielding, but we can provide answers
to you about the specific pacemaker model.
What about audible noise?
AltaLink meets AUC noise guidelines.
Building and fence induction?
This is mitigated through grounding we install
during construction.
What about stray voltage?
This is not caused by transmission lines; it is more
typically caused by distribution lines or local wiring.
Proposed project schedule
Summer 2010
First stage of consultation
includes open houses,
information centres and
one-on-one consultations as
requested by stakeholders
Summer-Fall 2010 Use stakeholders feedback
to help us refine potential
routes
Fall 2010
Second stage of consultation
includes open houses,
information centres and
one-on-one consultation
with stakeholders affected
by the refined routes
Fall 2010
Anticipated application
filing with the Alberta
Utilities Commission (AUC)
Project cost
The total estimated cost for this project is
approximately $64 million dollars, which will be
an average of 6.4 cents per month on the typical
residential utility bill.
Thank you! Your feedback
is important to us.
To learn more about this project visit
www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca/satr,
or contact us:
• Toll-free: 1-877-269-5903
• E-mail satrinfo@altalink.ca
To learn more about AltaLink visit www.altalink.ca