November 2011 Volume 2 Electric system developments near you Picture Butte to Transmission Project Preferred and alternate route selection

Did you know? The average four-person family in today has 20 ‘instant-on’ electronics such as laptops, DVD players, music device chargers and cell phone chargers. This is in addition to the other appliances necessary to run a home – fridges, stoves, microwaves, washers and dryers – all of which require a reliable supply Locofa electricity.tion map Picture Butte to Etzikom Coulee Transmission Line

845 36 Location map Pic86t4ure Butte to You are receiving this 519 Etzikom Coulee Transmission Line newsletter because you are ldman Riv CPR Location Omaepr Picture Butte to Reservoir 845 36 near the proposed Picture Location map Picture Butte to 864 Etzikom Coulee TransmTiabser sion Line 519 Lake man R Butte to Etzikom Coulee ld iv CPR J Oohnsoenr 's Etzikom Coulee TransmReserivoirssion Line 845 Addition 36 8T64ABER Chin Taber Transmission Project and we Cranford Lake 845 519 36 Johnson's Approved 3 n Addition 864 Barnldwmae lRliv CPR O er TABER Reservoir Chin Horsefly on to Whitla COALDALE Cranford wantBo wyourmant input. 519 Lake Approved Tempest 3 Barnwell ission Line man R Horsefly hTitlraansm CPR Old ive Reservoir Taber Bowmanton to W rCOALDALE Lake Reservoir Tempest Lake ission Line Location map Picture Butte to Reservoir Transm Broxburn Stafford Johnson's Broxburn Stafford Addition More information about the Reservoir Taber TABER ReservCohirin 512 512 Lake Cranford Johnson's 3 Approved Etzikom Coulee TranAdditison mission LinBaernwell proposed project is included COALDALETABER 513Horsefly Bowmanton to Whitla Chin Tempest Lake ission Line Cranford 513 Reservoir Transm Approved 3 BroxbBuarnrnwell in this information package. Horsefly Stafford Chin anton to Whitla COALDALE 845 36 Reservoir LaBkoeswm Lake Line Tempest 865412 Transmission LETHBRIDGE Reservoir Potential We want to provide you with: Broxburn Chin Stafford 508 Etzikom Cou5l1e3e 519 Reservoir Lakes to Whitla 512 Wildlsmoann Riv CPR O er Reservoir Transmission Line LETHBRIDGE 513 Chin Potential • preferred and alternate route Lakes 508 4 Etzikom Coulee LETHBRIDGE Taber Potential Lake selection information 508 Chin to EWtzihkoimtl aCoulee Wilson Lakes Johnson's Addition 61 to Whitla Wilson Stirling TABER Judson Transmission Line LETHBRIDGE Chin Potential WreTnrthaanmsmission Line 508 Cra8n4f5ord Etzikom Coulee 3 New Approved • project details Barnw4ellto Whitla Wilson COALDALE 4 846 Horsefly Rockport Bowmanton to Whitla Tempest Transmission LineLake ission Line RAYMOND Reservoir Transm 52 36 Broxburn Craddock 4 Stafford 844 61 Judson • maps of the proposed development Reservoir Stirling Wrentham 512 1 6 845 Judson New 6S1 tirling LEGEND Rockport Stirling Judson 846 513 Wrentham • project schedule RAWYreMntOhaNmD 5 84 845 New 52 New Craddock 36 846 Rockport Pr8e4f4erredC JhinRouorcnkapuolrt t Approved MATL RAYMOND 846 SubstatioLnakes Transmission Line • information about how you can 52 LETHBRIDGE Craddock 36 Potential 844 RAYMOND LEGEND 52 508 Approved Picture BEtuztikteom Coulee Existing Craddock to Whitla 36 provide your input 84W4ilson Substation Transmission Line LEGEND Preferred JoTurarnsamuislts ion Line Approved MATL LEGEND Potential Journault 4 ExisStinugb sStautbiosntation Transmission Line Substation Target Area LEGPrEefeNrreDd Journault PoteAnptiparlo TvAreapdnp MsromAvTiesLds iPoinct uLrien eButte Existing Substation 61 TJruadnsosnmission Line Hamlet or Locality Stirling PreSfuebrrsetadtion Wrentham Transmission Line Approved 8P45icture Butte ENexwisting Railway PreEfxeirsrteindg V Sauribasnttation Potential Journault CONTACT US Substation 846 TRorcaknposrtmission Line Substation Target Area PrefReAYrrMeOdND JournaultP otential Transmission LAinpeproveRdo aMd ATL 52 Alternate Existing Substation Craddock Potential Journau3lt6 8S44 ubstation Preferred TransmissioHanm Lleit nore Locality 1-877-269-5903 SubsAtaltteiornna Ttea rVgaerti aAnret a Urban Area Potential Transmission Line Railway LEGENADpproved Picture B H uatmtelet oPr rLeofecrarleitdy VariantExisting Water Body Preferred Other Transmission Line [email protected] R ailway Alternate Road PrefeSrPrueredbf eVsrartreaiadn tJitounrnault Approved MATL Transmission Line Alternate Variant Urban Area AlternSatuebstation Road Transmission LinePotential Journault www.altalink.ca/satr Existing Substation Water Body Approved Picture Butte Urban AOErtehxaeisrt iTnrgansmission Line AlternSatueb Vstaartiiaonnt Transmission LineSubstation Target Area Potential Transmission LWinater Body Other TrEaxnismtinisgs Siounb Lstinaetio n Potential Journault Substation Target HAraeamlet or Locality PotentiaPl Trreanfsemrrisesdion Line Preferred Hamlet or LocalityRailway Preferred Variant Railway Preferred Variant Road Altleternranteate Road Alternate Variant Urban Area Alternate Variant Urban Area Other Transmission Line Water Body Other Transmission Line Water Body We are currently determining potential structure locations for the preferred and alternate routes. Once these locations have been identified, we will mail area specific Pmaps rto eall landownersferr ed Picture Butte to Etzikom Coulee who may have structures on their Preferred and alternate route selection property. These maps will also be Ir onTransmission Line Springs available at the upcoming open Preferred Route houses in December. 845 36 864 PICTURE 519 BUTTE er Preferred EtzikCPRom CoulOeldmean R ivto Whitla Reservoir Taber Transmission Line Lake Johnson's 864 Addition Winnifred 36 Old man Riv er Chin hew TABER S tc an er Cranford o ka R iv Jensen u th Sas 3 Approved Tempest 3 Barnwell Grassy Burdett BOW Horsefly Bowmanton to Whitla Lake Juno 5 Antonio ISLAND 88 Lake ssion Line Fincastle Reservoir Transmi JBohrnosoxnb'surn Taber Purple Yellow Addition Lake Springs Sherburne LakeStafford Cranford Lake Reservoir 3 TABECROALDALE Barnwell512 Horsefly Lake Fairview Reservoir Maleb Stafford Reservoir 513 513 Chin Lakes

Chin Lakes LETHBRIDGE Judson 61 508 Skiff Legend Nemiskam Wrentham Conrad Wilson Foremost 61 New 36 Dayton Tyrrell Crow Lake 4 Indian Lake 879 506 McNab 61 Sunnysite 504 Stirling Judson Warner Wrentham Verdigris 8L4a5ke 877 New Welling Rockport 4 846 501 880 RAYMOND 36 52 Craddock LELEGENDGEND844 844 Preferred Journault Existing LEGSuEbsNtatDion Transmission Line Approved Whitla Substation Hamlet or Locality ExistinPgr Seufbesrtaretiodn Journault Railway Approved MATL PreferSreud bTsratnastmioisnsion Line Road Transmission Line ApproAvepdp MrAoTvLe d Picture ButteUrban Area Existing Transmission Line Substation Water Body Transmission Line Existing Substation Hamlet or Locality PreferredPref erourredte (east route) Railway The eastT routeransm wasissio selectedn Line as the preferred route because it poses a Road lower overallPrefe rlevelred of potential impacts when compared to the other proposedTr routes.ansmis s ion Line Variant Urban Area Water Body To avoid a sensitive pelican feeding site and high-risk avian conflict zone at the Chin Coulee Dam crossing identified during consultation, we have moved the route approximately one kilometer to the west. This change reduces not only potential impacts to this site, but also increases the distance from the residences located near the Chin Coulee Dam, and reduces other potential environmental impacts. A site specific route option (dashed red line) would cross the reservoir in the same location as our originally proposed routing at the base of the dam.

2 To avoid environmental issues associated with the CPR Reservoir (located east of Highway 845 at the northern portion of the preferred route), the preferred route will deviate to the south. A site specific route option (dashed red line) that would locate the line north of the CPR Reservoir remains in our routing options. The preferred route would potentially impact more residences in this area, but would avoid construction of lines north and south of the CPR Reservoir. When combined with the MATL transmission line in close proximity,Alterna te Picture Butte to Etzikom Coulee this site specific option would create a ‘boxing in’ of the reservoir, Awhichlte rhasn ate Picture Butte to Etzikom Coulee Transmission Line been assessed as posing environmental impacts to birds in the area. Alternate Route

845 845 3366 Alternate route (west route) 886644 551199 an R CPR ldmman Riivve CPR OOld err The alternate route for this project is the west route. While potentially RReesseerrvvooiirr TTaabbeerr LLaakkee JJoohhnnssoonn''ss impacting more agricultural lands and residences than the preferred route, AAddddiittiioonn TABER Chin TABER Chin CCrraannffoorrdd Approved 33 Barnwell Approved Barnwell Horsefly o Whitla COALDALE Horsefly BBoowwmaannttoonn tto Whitla the alternate route would avoid crossing the Stafford Reservoir. As well, the COALDALE Lake ine TTeemppeesstt Lake Traannssmiissssiioonn LLine RReesseerrvvooiirr Tr Broxburn Broxburn SSttaaffffoorrdd RReesseerrvvooiirr agricultural impacts on the alternate route are viewed as largely mitigable 512 512 or compensable, particularly in relation to the irrigation systems present. 551133 CChhinin LLaakkeess However, the costs associated with mitigating the large amount of irrigation LETHBRIIDGE 550088 systems would be higher than on the preferred route. The alternate route Wiillssoonn 44

represents the next best option from an overall impact perspective and is a 6611 Stirling JJuuddssoonn Stirling Wrreenntthhaam 5 88445 NNeeww viable route. Rockport 884466 Rockport RAYMOND 52 36 52 CCrraaddddoocckk 36 884444 Alternate variant route (MATL parallel) LLEGENDEGEND Highlighted in dashed green is the alternate variant route. Compared to both Prrefferrrred JJourrnaulltt Apppprroovveedd MATTLL Subssttattiion TTrraannssmiissssiioonn LLiinnee Apppprroovveedd Piiccttuurree Buuttttee Exxiissttiinngg the preferred and alternate routes the variant has higher overall impacts, but Suubbssttaattiioonn TTrraannssmiissssiioonn LLiinnee Exxiissttiinngg Suubbssttaattiioonn Pootteennttiiaall JJoouurrnnaauulltt still represents a viable route given that it will parallel an existing transmission Suubbssttaattiioonn TTaarrggeett Arreeaa PPrreevviioouussllyy PPrrooppoosseedd RRoouuttee O Opptitoionn Prreeffeerrrreedd line. However, paralleling the MATL transmission line requires our route to Trraannssmiissssiioonn LLiinnee Haamlleett oorr LLooccaalliittyy Alltteerrnnaattee Raaiillwaayy PicEtutzreik Bomut tCeo tuol eEetz tiok oWmh iCtloaulee Trraannssmiissssiioonn LLiinnee be located approximately 40 metres Rooaadd Alltteerrnnaattee TTrraannssmmiissssiioonn L Lininee into the adjacent lands, resulting in TTrraannssmiissssiioonn LLiinnee Vaarriiaanntt Urrbbaann AArreeaa Dropped Segments Waatteerr BBooddyy

864 38645 W3in6nifred a higher overall level of agricultural Old man Riv er 864 hew S tc an er o ka R iv Jensen u th Sas 3 519 Grassy Burdett BOW impacts given the amount of irrigation CPR man River LakeOld Juno 885 Reservoir Antonio ISLAND Fincastle Purple Yellow Johnson's Taber Taber systems present. There is also a higher Sherburne Lake Addition Lake Springs Lake Cranford Lake TABER Johnson's 3 Addition Barnwell Horsefly Lake TABER Chin number of residences along this route Reservoir Cranford Maleb Stafford Reservoir Approved 3 Barnwell COALDALE 513 Horsefly Bowmanton to Whitla Tempest Lake comparedTransmiss itoon Lin ethe alternate route, Chin Lakes Reservoir Broxburn Stafford Reservoir 512 resulting in a higher level of potential 513

Nemiskam Conrad Legend residential impacts. Judson Wrentham Skiff Chin 1 ForemoLsaktes 6 NLewETHB3R6 IDGE Dayton 508 Crow TyrrelWl ilson Indian Dropped segments Lake Lake 879

506 4 McNab Sunnysite Route segments that have been 504 61 Warner Stirling Judson Verdigris Wrentham Lake 845 877 New removed due to their higher relative Rockport 4 846 RAYMOND 501 880 52 Craddock 36 844 impacts as compared to both the LEGEND LLEEGGEENNDD preferred and alternate routing are Preferred Journault Existing SuPbrsetafetirorend Journault ApTpraronvsemdi sMsiAoTnL Line Substation Transmission Line highlighted in pink. Approved Whitla Substation Hamlet or Locality Approved Picture Butte Existing ExSisutibnsgt aStuiobnstation TrRanasilwmaisysion Line CuErrxeisntti nPgo tSeunbtisatlation HaRmoaledt or Locality Transmission Line Current Potential RaUilrwbany Area PreTvraionussmlyi sPsriopno Lsiende Transmission Line RoWaadter Body Previously Proposed Approved MATL Transmission Line Urban Area Transmission Line Water Body 3 Definition Project details Substation The proposed transmission developments in your area include: Substations are the connection point between high-voltage • upgrades to the Picture Butte Substation transmission lines. • a new 240 kV (240,000 volts) double circuit transmission line approximately 66 to 80 kilometres in length from the Picture Butte Substation to the proposed Journault Substation A double circuit 240 kV steel lattice transmission structure is shown below. A typical structure will have a: • height of 44 to 60 metres (147 to 197 feet) • width of 22 to 24 metres (72 to 79 feet) at the widest arm • base of 10 by 10 metres (32 by 32 feet), up to 14 by 14 metres (46 by 46 feet) • distance between structures averaging 365 metres (1,198 feet) • a right-of-way width of 60 metres (197 feet)

Cost The estimated cost for this project is approximately $160 to 250 million, which would be approximately 16 to 25 cents per month on the typical residential utility bill.

Journault Substation We have determined a preferred location for the proposed Journault Substation to be on the NE-15-7-17-W4. An alternate substation target area is still being explored for other possible substation locations. Both the preferred location and alternate target area for the Journault Substation are shown on the attached map. Preliminary engineering work indicates that the fenced area for this substation will be approximately 115 by 110 metres (377 by 360 feet).

Picture Butte Substation The footprint of the Picture Butte Substation needs to be expanded to allow the termination of the new 240 kV line 991L, which is coming from Journault Substation. To accommodate for new equipment the Picture Butte Substation will be expanded approximately 20 metres (65 feet) to both the southwest and northwest for a total fenced area of approximately 95 metres by 115 metres (311 feet by 377 feet).

4 Route identification Our transmission The table below outlines general criteria we take into account when lines transport the identifying and refining potential routes. power you use every day. Important criteria AltaLink’s transmission system efficiently delivers electricity to 85 per cent of Albertans. • Loss of crops Agricultural Dedicated to meeting the growing • Reduced efficiency of field operations need for electricity, AltaLink connects Albertans to renewable, reliable and low-cost power. • Proximity to residences With a commitment to community and environment, AltaLink is Residential • Loss of developable lands and ensuring the transmission system constraints on future development will support Albertans’ quality of life for years to come. Learn more at www.altalink.ca • Alteration of natural areas and Environmental interference with environmentally sensitive areas

• Construction cost and land Cost acquisition costs

Edmonton

Red Deer

Electrical • Reliability and reparability of the line Calgary

Lethbridge

• Visual impact of structures and lines Visual as seen from residences and AltaLink Service Territory recreational areas

• Electrical interference with radio Special transmitting stations and other considerations telecommunication equipment etc.

5 Providing your input Stakeholder input is critical to identifying the best solution for this transmission project. You can provide your input by: Attending our open houses Please join us at our open houses below. We will be available to share information, gather your input and address any questions or concerns you might have.

Dec. 6 Coaldale Community Centre Coaldale, AB 4 to 8 p.m. 1217 20 Ave Dec. 7 Stirling Lions Club Community Centre Stirling, AB 4 to 8 p.m. 417 2 Street Dec. 8 Foremost Community Hall Foremost, AB 4 to 8 p.m. 802 1 Ave W

Participating in a one-on-one consultation We will contact occupants, residents and landowners who are on or directly adjacent to the proposed transmission line route options to gather their input. Through these discussions we will gather detailed information that will help us determine the best solution for this project.

Contacting us directly You can also contact us by phone, e-mail, mail or through our website. Our contact information is on the back page of this newsletter.

Next steps After consulting with stakeholders, we will use the input gathered to finalize Definition the preferred and alternate routes as well as potential substation locations. Alberta Utilities After the consultation process is complete we will file an application with Commission the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). The AUC will review the application The Alberta Utilities Commission through a process in which stakeholders can participate. (AUC) ensures the fair and We will notify stakeholders when we file the application and again once responsible delivery of Alberta’s the AUC has reached a decision about the project. To learn more about utility services. AltaLink submits applications for new transmission the AUC process and how you can become involved, please refer to the projects to the AUC and the AUC brochure included in this package titled Public Involvement in Needs or reviews them in a public process. Facilities Applications.

6 Did you know? Essential services that are critical to Albertans, such as hospitals and schools, rely on large amounts of power. On average, Project schedule hospitals use 1,875,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity a AltaLink will communicate and consult with stakeholders throughout the month. That’s enough to power project steps listed below. more than 3,000 typical homes for a month. Summer/ Notify and consult with stakeholders Fall 2011 Winter 2012 File application with AUC Fall 2013 Start construction if project is approved

Projects in the area AltaLink is working on several projects in the area to make sure your lights come on at the flick of the switch. Project name Description Status Etzikom Coulee to A new substation - to be Second round Whitla Transmission called Journault Substation of consultation Project - and 87 to 90 km of new underway 240 kV transmission line Goose Lake to A new 240 kV transmission Preliminary siting Etzikom Coulee line from the existing work underway Transmission Project Goose Lake Substation to the proposed Journault Substation

Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement The Transmission Reinforcement (SATR) includes many proposed projects in southern Alberta that will provide Albertans with access to new wind generated power. Existing transmission lines and substations in the southern part of the province do not have the capacity to connect power generated from new Definition wind farm projects. To connect this wind generated power to the electric grid, Alberta Electric new transmission projects are being proposed to move the wind power from System Operator where it’s generated to you. The Alberta Electric System Operator The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) filed the need for SATR with the (AESO) is the independent, not- for-profit organization responsible AUC in December 2008. The AUC held a public hearing to review the need for the safe, reliable and economic for these projects in 2009 and approved the need later that year. The Picture planning and operation of the Butte to Etzikom Coulee Transmission Project is part of SATR. Alberta electric system.

7 Included in this information package • Project map • AUC brochure: Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications

More information To learn more about the proposed project, please contact: AltaLink AltaLink at 1-877-269-5903 (toll-free) Email: [email protected] www.altalink.ca/satr To learn more about Alberta’s electric system and the need for the project, please contact: Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) 1-888-866-2959 (toll-free) Email: [email protected] To learn more about the application and review process, please contact: 2611 - 3rd Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2A 7W7 Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) 780-427-4903 (You can call toll-free by dialing 310-0000 before the number.) E-mail: [email protected] 8 Printed on paper using post-consumer content