October 2011 Electric system construction near you 904L/908L projects

We would like to let you know the 904L/908L projects have recently been approved and construction will begin in your area soon. QUESTIONS? Please do not hesitate to contact This newsletter provides information about the construction process, us if you have any questions or including timelines and what you might see and hear. Thank you for your concerns. participation in these projects so far – your input is important to us. 1-877-269-5903 Project background [email protected] ’s population has grown significantly in recent years. The transmission Visit us online at system in the area needs to be reinforced to ensure residents www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca/ continue to have the power they rely on. edmontonarea To meet the increasing demand for power, AltaLink is: • rebuilding 50 kilometres of an existing transmission line between the Edmonton and Jackfish Lake areas • building 12 kilometres of new transmission line between the Jackfish Lake and Keephills areas Project 33 Alexander No. 1 34 Alexis 642 Sandy Lake No. 777 28 map 2 133 37 43 633 Lac Ste. Anne WABAMUN 779 44 Big 19S Lake 16 16A Acheson 33 Alexander No. 1 34 Alexis PETROLIA642 Sandy Lake Duffield No. 777 28 Wabamun No. 133A 2 133 37 43 E816S 633 Lac Ste. Anne 33 Alexander No. 1 34 6Alexis27 642 WABAMUN Sandy Lake 779 44 Big No. 777 Keephills 28 19S Lake 16 2 133 37 16A Acheson Definition 43 KEEPHILLS StonyDuffield PlainWabamun No. No. 133A 135PETROLIA Alberta Utilities 633 Lac Ste. Anne 770 E816S WABAMUN 627 320P 779 44 Big Keephills 19S Lake Commission 16 KEEPHILLS Stony Plain No. 135 16A 770 60 The Alberta Utilities Commission Acheson 320P Duffield Wabamun No. 133A PETROLIA 60 (AUC) ensures the fair and E816S 627 622 Keephills responsible delivery of Alberta’s 2A KEEPHILLS 770 Stony Plain No.622 135 utility services. AltaLink submits 320P 39 60 20 778 795 2A applications for new transmission LEGEND projects to the AUC and the AUC 622 39 2A Construction of New Transmission Line reviews them in a public process. 20 39 Salvage of Existing Transmission Line 20 778 795 778 795 Reconfiguration of Existing Transmission Line LEGENDLEGEND Rebuild of Existing Transmission Line LEGENDConstruction of New Transmission Line Existing Substation Salvage of Existing Transmission Line and Locality Reconfiguration of Existing Transmission Line Major Road RebuildConstruction of Existing Transmission Line of New TransmissionFirst Nations Reserve Line Existing Substation Water Body HamletSalvage and Locality of Existing Transmission Line Major Road First NationsReconfiguration ReserveWe began consulting of Existing with the Transmissionpublic about the 904L/908L Line Project PublicWater Body projects in 2009. The consultation process included eight open consultationRebuildhouses of Existing and one-on-one Transmission consultations Linewith more than 1,400 timeline Existingstakeholders. Substation Consultation was completed in June 2010. We filed the Facilities Application with the Alberta Utilities RegulatoryHamlet Commission and Locality (AUC) on July 28, 2010. The AUC hearing for processMajor Roadthe project was held from June 27 to 29, 2011. The AUC approved the project on September 30, 2011. First Nations Reserve We plan to begin construction in October of 2011 and Wateranticipate Body it to take approximately a year and a half to complete. Final reclamation of the area, including tree Construction planting and re-laying of sod, will begin during the summer of 2012. We anticipate the project to be in service in the winter of 2013.

2 Project details Rebuild This project involves rebuilding 50 kilometres of an existing transmission line, called 904L, between the Petrolia Substation located in the City of Edmonton and the Jackfish Lake area. This transmission line will be rebuilt with self-weathering steel H-frame structures. The voltage of the line will remain 240 kV (240,000 volts). The existing structures are approximately 18 to 20 metres (60 to 68 feet) tall. The new transmission line structures will look similar to the structure pictured below. These structures: • are 20 to 23 metres (68 to 77 feet) tall • will be located within the existing 61-metre (200-foot) right-of-way

Definition Right-of-way The right-of-way is a strip of land required for the construction and operation of a transmission line. A right-of-way refers to the physical space a transmission line encompasses including areas on either side of the line.

New build We will also be building 12 kilometres of new 240 kV line between the Jackfish Lake and the Keephills Substation. Originally this new portion was to be named 908L, however once construction is complete, the entire line will be named 1043L including both the rebuild and new build portions. The new transmission line structures will NOTE look similar to the structure pictured to Implosive connectors the left. These structures: In certain areas, we will need • are 43 to 57 metres (140 to 187 feet) tall to use implosive connectors to • require a right-of-way width of 55 metres fuse portions of transmission line (180 feet) wire together. These connectors sound like a loud explosion. We will notify landowners in the area before they are used.

3 Construction process The typical construction stages for this project will include: • ensuring construction areas are safe • survey and access preparation • tree removal and vegetation management as required • removal of conductor (wire) and existing structures • backfilling and ompactingc voids after the structures are removed • structure foundation installation and levelling workspace • structure materials delivery LOCAL PROJECT • structure assembly ECONOMIC BENEFITS • wire delivery, preparation and stringing • inspection and energization AltaLink is proud to support the communities in which we live and • cleaning and restoration operate. During peak construction Construction activities may be required to take place on private property. approximately 80 people will be If this is the case, we will notify you in advance of the specific dates and working on this project. All of times we will require access to your property. our contractors are encouraged to hire locally. Our commitment A typical work day for construction activities is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to limit the Safety length of time surrounding residents are impacted by the noise. Traffic control Safety is a core value at AltaLink. protocol is implemented on all sites to ensure no unauthorized vehicles are on Our safety standards and the right-of-way and construction traffic is restricted to authorized areas. Prior practices are developed to meet to entry on the right-of-way all equipment will be properly cleaned and free of or exceed government guidelines mud, vegetation, visible oil, gas and grease leaks. and codes to ensure the safety of our employees, contractors Wildlife and the public throughout the Work areas will have environmental monitors to observe species-at-risk construction process. and all wildlife in the area. Specific protection measures will be implemented if required.

Natural and cultivated lands All construction activities will follow the Environmental Protection Plan created for this project. • Construction is scheduled to avoid spring and early summer when native grasslands are most sensitive. • Work in wet areas will typically be completed under frozen or dry conditions or matting will be used. • Special practices are implemented for native prairie and improved forage areas. • Areas of known weed infestation will be indicated prior to construction and the appropriate measures implemented. 2611 - 3rd Avenue SE • Necessary repairs will be completed with topsoil replacement and vegetation restoration. , Alberta T2A 7W7 Printed on paper using post-consumer content using post-consumer on paper Printed 4