Welcome

Big Rock Transmission System Development

Your input is important to us.

Did you know?

Upgrading the transmission system in the , and Black Diamond areas will ensure that businesses and residences will continue to have access to safe and reliable power at the flick of a switch or the push of a button. Regulatory process

We will continue to consult and communicate with stakeholders throughout the application process and with affected stakeholders during any future construction process. 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 routes and sites with low overall impacts. We will work with you to ensure your questions and concerns are understood and responded to. We will include a summary of stakeholder feedback in the application we file with the Utilities Commission (AUC). Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to provide your input. 1-855-230-6115 (toll-free) [email protected] Visit us online at www.altalink.ca/projects Electricity at a glance

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1985 Now Okotoks 5,000 25,000 High River 5,000 13,000 Black Diamond 1,400 2,400

Powering Albertans’ quality of life Albertans depend on electricity every day to enjoy their quality of life.

Transmission reinforcements in the area will ensure present and future electricity demands can be met by linking electricity from where it’s produced to where it’s needed so Albertans can have the power they rely on every day.

Did you know?

The amount of energy used to power home electronics in residences across more than doubled between 1990 and 2007. The majority of Canadian homes have more than one television and more than a quarter of households used at least three sets in 2007. TVs, DVD players and other electronic devices are drawing more and more power from the grid on a continual basis. Project details

The Big Rock Transmission System Development involves reinforcing the transmission system in the Okotoks, High River and Black Diamond areas. The proposed Big Rock Transmission System Development includes: • building a new substation (to be called Big Rock) • modifying the existing Okotoks, Black Diamond and High River substations • rebuilding approximately 18 to 22 kilometres (11 to 14 miles) of existing transmission line • building approximately seven to 12 kilometres (four to eight miles) of new transmission line • removing approximately 11 kilometres (seven miles) of existing transmission line Big Rock Substation

We have identified a preferred and alternate substation site for the proposed new Big Rock Substation and eliminated two potential sites from consideration. The Big Rock Substation will include: • three circuit breakers • one transformer • one switchgear building • one control building The substation fenced area will be approximately 80 x 90 metres (265 x 300 feet) and will need to be located on a parcel of land approximately 150 x 150 metres (500 x 500 feet). Additional land may be required for access to the substation. The substation would be a modular substation, meaning that the major components of the substation would be built ahead of time and assembled at the site. This would reduce cost and maintain the construction schedule for the project.

The proposed Big Rock Substation would look similar to the substation pictured here. Big Rock Substation

Preferred substation site The preferred substation site is located approximately four kilometres (2.5 miles) southwest of Okotoks in NW-14-20-1-W5. This is our preferred substation location because it: • has easy access from the road • allows for an easy connection to the electric system • has a low potential for environmental impact • has a low residential impact Alternate substation site The alternate substation site is located approximately two kilometres (one mile) southwest of Okotoks in SW-24-20-1-W5. This is our alternate substation site because it: • has easy access from the road • allows for an easy connection to the electric system • has a low residential impact Eliminated sites The two most eastern substation sites are less preferable and are no longer being considered. Substation modifications

Okotoks Substation • adding a new circuit breaker • expanding the fence line approximately 11 x 69 metres (36 x 226 feet) to the north onto property owned by AltaLink – no additional land is required Black Diamond Substation • adding a new transformer • adding two new circuit breakers • adding a new control building • adding two new switchgear buildings • expanding the fence line approximately 27 x 10 metres (89 x 33 feet) to the north and approximately 15 x 84 metres (50 x 275 feet) to the west • additional land is equiredr for the fence line expansion High River Substation • removing existing equipment that will no longer be needed • no expansion to the fence line is required

Did you know?

The average elementary school in our province uses 21,250 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity a month. That’s more than a city block of 20 houses uses in a month. Technology has advanced in schools across Alberta. Interactive whiteboards, computer labs and lap tops all require power to run. Transmission lines bring the power from where it’s generated to where it’s needed. Transmission lines

Black Diamond to Big Rock – rebuilding existing line (158L) • rebuilding approximately 18 to 22 kilometres (11 to 14 miles) of existing single circuit transmission line (to be called 458L after it is built) • voltage would change from 69 kV to 138 kV • final length of line would depend on final substation location • majority of the transmission line will be rebuilt along the existing alignment in road allowance • we are planning to re-use as many of the existing transmission structures as possible for the rebuilt line Big Rock to Okotoks – building new line (459L) • building approximately seven to 12 kilometres (four to eight miles) of new 138 kV transmission line • final length of line would depend on final substation location • a portion of the line may be constructed as single circuit or double circuit depending on final designs and stakeholder feedback Okotoks to High River – removing existing line (13L) • removing approximately 11 kilometres (seven miles) of existing 69 kV transmission line that would no longer be needed if the project is approved • some of the existing transmission structures may be left in place to support the electric distribution system in the area

Did you know?

AltaLink has more than 12,000 kilometres of transmission lines in the province. When a transmission line is removed from service, we ensure the wood poles that once supported electric wires are reused or recycled. We’ve recycled more than 400 poles to date and are investigating innovative methods like turning the poles into bio-fuel. For more information about AltaLink’s environmental initiatives please visit www.altalink.ca/environment. Big Rock to Okotoks (new line)

We have identified a preferred route, preferred route variant, north alternate route and south alternate route for the proposed new transmission line. Preferred route and preferred route variant The preferred route is approximately 7.5 kilometres (4.5 miles) long. We have identified the preferred route as the best solution for the project because when compared to the alternate routes it: • requires the least amount of shelterbelt to be removed • has a lower potential for environmental impacts • parallels existing linear infrastructure (highways, road allowances, transmission lines) for its entire length • is located in existing road allowance • is a lower cost option The preferred route parallels Highway 7 for approximately five kilometres (three miles). We are proposing to locate the preferred route on the north side of the highway for two reasons: • after consulting with Alberta Transportation we learned of the planned widening of Highway 7 to the south. • FortisAlberta has an existing distribution line on the north side, providing the potential opportunity to consolidate the distribution and transmission infrastructure As an alternate to the preferred route, we are proposing the south side of the highway as a preferred route variant option. Big Rock to Okotoks (new line)

North alternate route The north alternate route option is approximately seven kilometres (four miles) long. When compared to the other route options it: • has a high potential for residential impacts • parallels existing linear infrastructure for its entire length • is a higher cost option • is the shortest in length South alternate route The south alternate route option is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) long. When compared to the other route options the south alternate route: • has a higher potential for environmental impacts • has the lowest potential for residential impacts • parallels existing linear infrastructure for its entire length • is the longest in length Eliminated route We eliminated from consideration the most eastern route option. When compared to the other route options, this route: • is the longest in length of all route options • has the longest portion located outside of the road allowance We also eliminated from consideration the route option between points A57 and B57 (shown on the maps). Route and substation site identification process

When identifying route and substation site options, AltaLink takes several factors into consideration in an effort to find routes and sites with low overall impacts.

Important Criteria

• Impact on crop production Agricultural • Reduced efficiency of field operations

• Proximity to residences Residential • Impact on developable lands and constraints on future development

• Alteration of natural areas and impacts to Environmental environmental features

• Construction cost and land Cost acquisition costs

Electrical • Reliability and reparability of the line

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

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

Please let us know what other factors are important to you so we can consider them when refining route and site options. Transmission structures

Single circuit structures • wood or steel tubular structures • approximately 16 to 24 metres (52 to 78 feet) tall • width of five metres (16 feet) at the widest arm • base of one metre (three feet) • distance between structures of approximately 120 to 140 metres (393 to 460 feet) • right-of-way width of approximately 20 metres (65 feet) when on private property* • some structures may include a Fortis underbuild Double circuit structures • wood or steel tubular structures • approximately 22 to 30 metres (72 to 98 feet) tall • width of six metres (20 feet) at the widest arm • base of one metre (three feet) • distance between structures averaging 140 metres (460 feet) • right-of-way width of approximately 20 metres (65 feet) when on private property* *The majority of both transmission lines will be located within existing road allowances and not on private land.

Single Double circuit Underbuild circuit

The single circuit structures Some structures may include The double circuit structures would look similar to the a Fortis underbuild for the would look similar to the structure pictured above. distribution system. The structure pictured above. structures with Fortis underbuild would look similar to the structure pictured above. Anticipated project schedule

Notify and consult with stakeholders about October – December 2013 refined options

File application with the AUC May 2014

Start construction if project is approved July 2015

Complete construction December 2016 Although we attempt to follow the anticipated project schedule it is subject to change. We will continue to provide you with updated schedule information as the project progresses. Other work in the area

AltaLink is working on several initiatives in the area to make sure your lights come on at the flick of a switch.

A new transmission line and a Application was High River and Okotoks transmission line rebuild. filed with the AUC Transmission Project as Foothills 138 kV Projects and the AUC Modifying existing approved the projects Okotoks to Janet Project transmission lines. for construction on October 7, 2013.

Modifying existing 753 Line Move transmission structures and Complete adding one new transmission structure near High River.

As a result of the June flooding, Emergency repair we needed to repair and realign the portion of the on 158L Complete 158L transmission line that crosses the in Black Diamond. Did you know?

A reliable transmission system keeps costs low by connecting diverse sources of power generation to the grid. Generation costs – the cost of actually creating power – make up the largest portion of a bill, at more than 50%. The transmission system always hooks up the lowest priced generator to the grid first, so generators compete to provide Albertans with cost- effective electricity.

Project cost

The estimated cost of the Big Rock Transmission System Development is approximately $44 million.

Albertans pay for transmission projects through their monthly electricity bills. Transmission costs typically make up between five and 10 per cent of the total utility bill. A $44 million project represents approximately $0.04 per month on the typical residential utility bill. Compensation AltaLink is committed to providing fair and responsible compensation to landowners. There are three general types of compensation:

Easement Where a route approved by the AUC crosses private land, AltaLink must acquire land rights from landowners. • AltaLink pays fair market value • landowner retains full ownership of the property

Annual Structure Payments (ASP) An ASP is paid to landowners who have transmission structures on their property. • compensates landowners for crop loss, weed control and adverse effects (tangible and intangible)

Other Compensation Landowners may be eligible for other payments such as: • general disturbance • construction damages Electric & Magnetic Fields (EMF) AltaLink recognizes that people have concerns about exposure to Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) and we take those concerns very seriously. Everyone in our society is exposed to EMF from many sources, including: • power lines and other electrical facilities • electrical appliances in your home • building wiring National and international organizations such as Health Canada and the World Health Organization have been conducting and reviewing research about EMF for more than 40 years. Based on this research, these organizations have not recommended the general public take steps to limit their everyday exposure to EMF from high voltage transmission lines. We are here to answer your questions and help you get the information you need about EMF. Environment At AltaLink we are committed to the protection of our project areas. We strive to balance the effect of our operations while maintaining the safety and reliability of our electric system. AltaLink considers the environment in project planning by: • avoiding environmentally sensitive or significant areas where possible • developing mitigations to reduce disturbance when avoidance is not possible • paralleling existing corridors such as roads, pipelines, and power lines where applicable • ensuring AltaLink meets or exceeds all current environmental regulations throughout the lifecycle of our facilities Historical resources

AltaLink considers the potential effects that each project may have on historical resources. AltaLink attempts to avoid significant historical resource sites during the initial route planning process. When required by the Province of Alberta, AltaLink conducts Historical Resource Impact Assessments to identify and protect historical resources. Avoidance is always our preferred mitigation. No construction activities will commence until AltaLink has received Historical Resources Act clearance from the Province of Alberta.