Abee Substation and Transmission Line Connection

October 2010

Why are you receiving this newsletter?

You are receiving this newsletter because you are a resident, occupant or landowner located near AltaLink’s Proposed Substation proposed Abee Substation and/or Transmission Line Connection projects and we want your input. UV656

WASKATENAU What does this project involve? ATCO Service Area skat AltaLink a che AltaLink is proposing to: S wan R Service Area iv t h e or r N • build a new substation UV28 UV831

Proposed 808AL • install a telecommunications tower within the Route Options REDWATER proposed substation site 808L • build approximately 10 kilometres (km) of new transmission line Please refer to the maps included with this package to determine which project may affect you. If approved, only one line will be built.

You are invited to an Included in this Stakeholder Open House Information Package: Date: November 17, 2010 • A Dialogue on Electric & Magnetic Fields Time: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. • Good Neighbours Location:Pr ovident Place (Beside the Oil Derrick) • Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities 4944 - 53 Street Applications to the Utilities Redwater, Alberta Commission Please join us at our open house. We want • The Alberta Electric System Operator’s your feedback about the proposed projects. Need Overview We will work with you to ensure your • Maps illustrating the project area concerns are heard and understood and

your questions are answered. Electricity. When you need it.

What are the project details? New Substation AltaLink is proposing to build a new 138/4.16 kilovolt (kV) substation, called Abee, 40 kilometres northeast of the Town of Redwater. The new substation will include equipment, such as a transformer, that reduces the voltage of electricity carried on the transmission system. The substation site will also include a telecommunications tower. More information about the proposed telecommunications tower can be found on the next page of this newsletter. The Abee Substation is required to connect Enbridge Pipelines’ proposed pump station to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. The substation will be constructed within Enbridge’s proposed pump station site, on land owned by Enbridge Pipelines (Athabasca) Inc. located in SW6-61-19-W4M. AltaLink’s proposed substation site will be in a fenced area approximately 30 metres by 40 metres (98 feet by 131 feet) and will be accessible through a locked gate by authorized personnel only. You may see other transmission work happening in your area. ATCO Electric is proposing to build a new transmission line from the proposed Abee Substation to their proposed Weasel Creek Substation. The Weasel Creek Substation is required to connect Access Pipeline’s proposed pump station facility to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. More information about ATCO Electric’s proposed transmission projects in the area can be found by calling 1-780-733- 2828 or visiting www.atcoelectric.ca. If our records indicate that you have land located near the proposed substation site, you have received an Abee 993S Substation map included with this information package. Information about the location of the proposed substation site can also be found at www.altalink.ca/regionalprojects. The Abee Substation will be similar to the substation pictured to the left.

Typical 138 kV substation Telecommunications Tower As part of the Abee Substation project, AltaLink is proposing to install a telecommunications tower. The tower will be located inside the proposed Abee Substation fence. The purpose of the telecommunications tower is to support equipment that transmits data to AltaLink’s System Control Centre. It will be used by the System Control Centre for remote control operation of the electrical system, as well as voice communications to staff on site, allowing us to monitor the safety and reliability of our electrical system. The tower will be approximately 30 metres (98 feet) tall with a triangle base dimension of approximately four metres (13 feet). The telecommunications tower will be self supporting and there may be antennas attached at or near the top of the tower. It may be painted and have obstruction lighting to meet the requirements of Transport . The proposed telecommunications tower will be similar to the one pictured to the right.

For more information regarding AltaLink Clint Struth, Principal Engineer - Network and this project, please contact us at: Communications, AltaLink Website: www.altalink.ca/regionalprojects Clint Struth attests that the radio installation Telephone: 1-877-380-0303 described in this notification package will be E-mail: [email protected] installed and operated on an ongoing basis so as If you have any questions or concerns to comply with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6, regarding the telecommunications tower which defines safe levels of radio frequency (RF) please contact AltaLink within 30 days of exposure. The radio system described is excluded receiving this notification. from the environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. To For general information relating to antenna ensure the structural adequacy of the tower, systems contact Industry Canada: the design and installation will follow industry Website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/antenna. standards and sound engineering practices. Telephone: 613-954-5031 Toll-free: 1-800-328-6189 (Canada). Electricity. When you need it.

New 138 kV Transmission Line AltaLink is proposing to build approximately 10 kilometres (km) of new 138 kV single circuit transmission line. The structures will be approximately 17 to 22 metres (56 to 72 feet) high, approximately five metres (16 feet) wide at the cross arms and spaced approximately 140 metres (460 feet) apart. If the transmission line is located on private property, a 25 metre (82 feet) right-of-way will be required. AltaLink will consult with landowners if any access and activities are needed on private property. The proposed line will be called 808AL and will be built between AltaLink’s existing 808L transmission line and ATCO Electric’s proposed transmission line at the service area boundary. At the service area boundary, ATCO Electric is proposing to continue the new transmission line to their proposed Weasel Creek Substation. The Weasel Creek Substation is required to connect Access Pipeline’s proposed pump station facility to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. For more information about ATCO Electric’s proposed transmission projects in this area, please call 1-780-733-2828 or visit www.atcoelectric.ca. If our records indicate that you have land located near the proposed transmission line, you have received an 808AL Transmission Line from ATCO Territory to 808L map included with this information package. If approved, only one line proposed by AltaLink will be built. Information about the transmission line can also be found on our website at www.altalink.ca/regionalprojects. AltaLink’s proposed transmission line will be similar to the one pictured to the left.

Typical 138 kV transmission line What is the project schedule?

October - November 2010 First stage of consultation

December 2010 Use stakeholder feedback to refine potential routes

January - February 2011 Second stage of consultation

April 2011 File application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)

November 2011 Begin project construction if approval is granted by the AUC

August 2012 Complete project construction

Why is this project needed?

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has established transmission system development is needed to connect Enbridge Pipelines’ pump station and Access Pipelines’ pump station to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES). The AESO is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of the provincial transmission grid. For more information about why this project is needed, please refer to the AESO’s Need Overview included with this package, or visit www.aeso.ca. If you have any questions or concerns about the need for this project you may contact the AESO directly or you can make your concerns known to an AltaLink representative who will communicate them to the AESO on your behalf. What about Electric and Magnetic Fields?

AltaLink recognizes that some people are concerned about Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) and we treat those concerns very seriously. AltaLink has specialists who are available to measure EMF levels around your home and ensure that all ungrounded metallic objects, such as metal buildings and fences, near the transmission line are properly grounded if necessary. For more information please refer to the brochure titled A Dialogue on Electric & Magnetic Fields included with this information package or look on the back of this newsletter for various ways you can contact us. What happens during construction?

Throughout the construction process, AltaLink and its contractors will follow all applicable provincial and federal legislation and requirements and use appropriate techniques to protect water quality, soil, vegetation and wildlife habitat. Obtaining access and carrying out activities on private property is done in consultation with the landowner. Any noise associated with the construction and/or operation of new facilities will comply with the AUC’s Noise Control Rule 12 and other relevant provincial and municipal noise regulations and standards. Electricity. When you need it.

How can you provide input?

Your input is important to us and we will work with you to understand and address any questions or concerns you may have. AltaLink’s representatives will contact landowners, residents and occupants near the proposed projects. We are also hosting an open house on November 17, 2010 at Provident Place in Redwater, Alberta. Project team members will be available at the open house to discuss the project, answer questions and receive your feedback. ATCO Electric representatives will also be at the open house to answer questions about their proposed projects in this area. We consider landowner comments in our project evaluations and summarize the input received from stakeholders in our Facilities Applications. The Facilities Applications describe our plans to meet technical requirements set by the AESO and provide information about the environment, costs, project components and schedules, and our participant involvement program. We will submit our Facilities Applications to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for its review and it may approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Facilities Application. The length of time for the review process varies for each project, and the AUC ensures interested parties are given an opportunity to participate in the process. The AUC is a quasi-judicial agency, established by the Alberta government, that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. We have enclosed a copy of the AUC brochure titled Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications, which describes how you can be involved in the AUC process. Other transmission projects in your area

There may be other proposed transmission developments in your area and your input is important to us about each one. We want to ensure that you have the most accurate and up to date information delivered to you in the most efficient manner.

Project Name Owner Description Status/Timing Contact Weasel Creek ATCO Electric • Build a new substation approximately six Consultation Website: Transmission Project kilometres north of , in Central underway www.atcoelectric.com Alberta Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-780-733-2828 Abee Transmission ATCO Electric • Approximately 12 kilometres of new 138 kV Consultation Website: Line Connection transmission line extending north from the underway www.atcoelectric.com Project proposed Weasel Creek Substation, close to Email: Waskatenau, in [email protected] Phone: 1-780-733-2828 Athabasca Area AltaLink • Build two new telecommunications tower sites Consultation Website: Telecommunications • Install a new telecommunications tower at one underway www.altalink.ca/athabasca Upgrade existing site Email: • Upgrade telecommunications towers at seven [email protected] existing sites Phone: 1-877-267-1463 (toll-free) Heartland AltaLink and • A double circuit 500 kV transmission line, Application filed Website: Transmission Project EPCOR which will connect the Heartland region www.heartlandtransmission.ca (northeast of ) to existing Email: 500 kV transmission facilities [email protected] • AltaLink and EPCOR, the Heartland Project Phone: Team, are working together in the project’s 1-888-441-7129 (toll-free) development Eastern Alberta ATCO Electric • A transmission line between Gibbons-Redwater Consultation Website: HVDC Transmission area northeast of and the Brooks underway www.atcoelectric.com Project area southeast of Email: • A new converter station and related facilities [email protected] at each end of the new line, to convert power Phone: from alternating current (AC) to direct curent 1-866-650-2463 (toll-free) (DC) and to connect the new facilities to the Alberta Electric transmission system Who is AltaLink?

AltaLink, Alberta’s largest transmission provider, is actively working with stakeholders to build more than 40 new transmission projects. We are responding to the province’s growth and ensuring the transmission system will meet Albertans’ needs today and in the future. New, efficient transmission lines will ensure our customers have access to clean wind-generated power and the lowest-priced electricity Alberta has to offer. To find out more about AltaLink, or if you have any questions, please contact us at 1-877-380-0303.

Thank you!

Your input is important to us. To learn more about AltaLink and this project please visit www.altalink.ca/regionalprojects or you can contact: AltaLink: 1-877-380-0303 (toll-free) Email: [email protected] Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO): 1-888-866-2959 (toll-free) Email: [email protected] Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): 780-427-4903 (You can call toll-free by dialing 310-0000 before the number) Email: [email protected]

2611 - 3 Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2A 7W7 www.altalink.ca Phone: 1-877-380-0303

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