Foothills Area Transmission Development Contents

Your guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development Contents

1 Foothills Area Transmission Development 2 Foothills Area Transmission Development Map 5 electricity at a Glance 6 Consultation 7 transmission Routes 8 Compensation 9 Value 10 investing in Alberta’s Future 11 Environment 12 Construction 13 transmission Terms

Our transmission lines transport the power you use every day. AltaLink’s transmission system efficiently delivers electricity 85% to 85 per cent of Albertans. Dedicated to meeting the growing Edmonton need for electricity, AltaLink connects Albertans Red Deer to renewable, reliable and low-cost power. With

Calgary a commitment to community and environment, AltaLink is ensuring the transmission system will Lethbridge support Albertans’ quality of life for years to come. Learn more at www.altalink.ca. AltaLink Service Territory Foothills Area Transmission Development Use this as your guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development (FATD). Learn about the projects and how you can be involved in our public consultation program and route selection process. This guide also has information about our compensation program and environmental and construction practices.

To maintain a reliable supply of electricity and keep up with Electricity consumption in Calgary the population growth and and the communities south industrial demand in Calgary, and east of Calgary is and the communities south and east of Calgary, new power expected to increase plants are planned including by approximately gas generation and wind power 30 per cent in generated in southern Alberta. the next decade. To bring power from where it’s Source: Alberta Electric generated to you, upgrades to System Operator the electric system and new transmission developments are required.

The project process The need Who decides? is also typically published in local The Alberta Electric System Operator For each project, AltaLink submits newspapers. This notice advises the (AESO) will file the need for the a Facilities Application for the public a Facilities Application has FATD in a formal application, known proposed facilities to the AUC. The been received, how copies of the as a Needs Identification Document AUC must review all applications and application can be obtained, how to (NID), with the Alberta Utilities can approve, approve with conditions access any additional material filed Commission (AUC). The AESO may or deny a Facilities Application. by parties supporting or opposing the consider filing separate NIDs for The length of time for the review application and how to participate different projects within the FATD. process varies. in the process. For more information about the AUC process, please visit How do you fit in? Regulatory process the AUC website at www.auc.ab.ca. We will work closely with you When the AUC deems an application throughout our consultation process is complete, a Notice of Application so that, together, we can find the is issued to people that may be best location for our facilities. affected by the proposed project and

Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development AltaLink 1 PLEASE NOTE - the electric extension cords DO NOT REPRESENT Foothills Area Transmission Development (FATD) TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTES Pictured to the left are FATD projects that AltaLink is currently completing public consultation for.

North Foothills Transmission Project New transmission line starting at the proposed Foothills Substation (east of Highway 2, CALGARY east of High River) to the proposed No. 65 Substation in southeast Calgary (near the intersection of Highway 22X and 88 Street SE).

CHESTERMERE Langdon to Janet Transmission Project New transmission line from the Langdon Substation (located in Rocky View County, and west of the Hamlet of Langdon) to the Janet Substation (located in Rocky View County, 1 LANGDON SUBSTATION east of Calgary at the corner of 50 Avenue and Garden Road SE). JANET SUBSTATION 1 High River to Okotoks Transmission Project New transmission line from the Foothillls Substation (east of Highway 2, east of High River) to the High River Substation (located just northwest of the city of High River). Transmission line rebuild from the High River Substation to the Okotoks Substation (located just east LANGDON NO. 65 SUBSTATION of Okotoks). 2 22 Okotoks to Janet Project 3 Modiﬁcations to existing transmission lines from Okotoks Substation (located just east NO. 25 SUBSTATION of Okotoks) to the Janet Substation (located in Rocky View County, east of Calgary at the 22X corner of 50 Avenue and Garden Road SE). OKOTOKS SUBSTATION THE BIG ROCK Proposed substations OKOTOKS 7 Other area transmission projects HIGH RIVER SUBSTATION Other projects FOOTHILLS SUBSTATION 1 Western Alberta Transmission Line HIGH RIVER New transmission line from the Genesee area to the Langdon Substation. 2 East Calgary Transmission Project Joint project with ENMAX Power that includes work at four existing substations and 23 transmission line connections, including a new transmission line to connect the proposed 2 No. 25 Substation to the Janet Substation. 4 3 Substation 65 Interconnection Approximately 400 metres of new transmission line from an existing transmission line to the proposed ENMAX No. 65 Substation. 4 South Foothills Transmission Project New transmission line from southwest of Fort MacLeod to the Foothills Substation.

2 AltaLink Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development PLEASE NOTE - the electric extension cords DO NOT REPRESENT Foothills Area Transmission Development (FATD) TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTES Pictured to the left are FATD projects that AltaLink is currently completing public consultation for.

Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development AltaLink 3 Did You Know?

The existing electrical transmission system in Calgary, and the communities south and east of Calgary, has not had a major development or upgrade since 1985.

A lot has changed since 1985...

1988 2008 Digital cell phones The Wii Fit are invented. Console is introduced.

1985 The compact disc becomes mainstream. 1985 2001 Apple announces the release of the first ipod, replacing the The population has popular portable grown dramatically CD player. from 1985 to 2010. Source: Government of Alberta, Municipal Census

4 AltaLink Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development Electricity at a Glance Generating GENERATION Generating GENERATION facilitiesGenerating convert GENERATIONATCO Power facilitiesGenerating convert GENERATIONGeATCO n e Power ra t i o n facilitiesfacilitiesvarious forms convertconvert of Generating facilities convert ATCOATCOTransAlta Power Power variousfacilities forms convert of ATCOTransAlta Power variousENMAXenergy forms Energy into of various forms of energy into Capital PowerTransAltaTransAlta Corporation variousenergy forms into of CapitalTransAlta Power Corporation Windelectricenergy turbines power. into CapitalENMAX Power EnergyCorporation electricenergy power. into electric power. CapitalCapitalENMAX Power Power Energy Corporation Corporation electricCogeneration power. plants ENMAXWind turbines Energy electric power. WindENMAX turbines Energy CogenerationWind turbines plants CogenerationWind turbines plants CogenerationCogeneration plantsplants Transmission TRANSMISSION Transmission Transmission lines connect the TRANSMISSIONTransmission linesTransmission connect the TRANSMISSIONAltaLink linesTransmission connect the TRANSMISSIONAltaLinkAltaLink lineslinespower connectconnect produced thethe power produced at generating ATCOAltaLinkAltaLink Electric powerlines connect produced the ATCOATCO Electric Electric powerat generating produced facilities to substations. ENMAXATCOATCO Power Electric Electric (Calgary) powerat generating produced ENMAXENMAX Power Power (Calgary) (Calgary) atfacilities generating to ENMAXENMAXEPCOR Power Power(Edmonton) (Calgary) (Calgary) facilitiesat generating to EPCOREPCOR (Edmonton) (Edmonton) substations.facilitiesfacilities toto EPCOREPCOR (Edmonton) (Edmonton) substations.facilities to substations.substations. Substations are SUBSTATION Substations are SUBSTATION Substationsthe connection are Substations are the connection SUBSTATIONSubstationsAltaLink theSubstations connection are SUBSTATIONAltaLink pointsthe connection between AltaLinkATCOAltaLinkAltaLink Electric pointsthe connection between points between transmission ATCO Electric transmissionpoints between and ENMAXATCOATCOATCO Power Electric Electric Electric (Calgary) transmissionpoints between and and distribution systems. ENMAX Power (Calgary) transmissiondistribution and ENMAXENMAXEPCORENMAX Power Power(Edmonton) Power (Calgary) (Calgary) (Calgary) transmissiondistribution and EPCOR (Edmonton) distributionsystems. EPCOREPCOREPCOR (Edmonton) (Edmonton) (Edmonton) distributionsystems. systems.systems. DISTRIBUTION Distribution lines DISTRIBUTION Distribution lines DISTRIBUTIONDistributionFortisAlberta carryDistribution electricity lines Distribution lines carry DISTRIBUTIONFortisAlberta carrycarry electricityelectricity FortisAlbertaFortisAlbertaATCO Electric tocarry homes, electricity farms electricity to homes, farms ATCOFortisAlberta Electric toto homes,homes, farmsfarms ENMAXATCOATCO Power Electric Electric (Calgary) andto homes, businesses. farms and businesses. ENMAXATCO Power Electric (Calgary) and businesses. ENMAXEPCORENMAX Power (Edmonton) Power (Calgary) (Calgary) and businesses. ENMAXEPCOR Power(Edmonton) (Calgary) EPCORRuralEPCOR Electrification (Edmonton) (Edmonton) RuralEPCORRural Electrification Electrification (Edmonton) Associations RuralRuralAssociations Electrification Electrification Associations RetailersAssociations RETAILERS Retailers give Retailers give consumers a DirectRETAILERS Energy Retailers give RETAILERSDirect Energy consumersRetailers give a choice of electricity service ENMAXDirectRETAILERS (Calgary)Energy consumersconsumers aa ENMAXDirect (Calgary)Energy consumerschoice of a providers. ENMAXEPCORDirect (Calgary)Energy Energy (Edmonton) choicechoice ofof EPCORENMAX Energy (Calgary) (Edmonton) electricitychoice service of EPCORJustENMAX Energy Energy (Calgary)(Edmonton) Alberta electricity service EPCORJust Energy Energy (Edmonton) Alberta electricityproviders. service EPCORJustCity EnergyEnergy of Lethbridge Alberta(Edmonton) Utilities providers. CityJustJust ofJust Lethbridge EnergyEnergy Energy AlbertaAlberta Alberta Utilities providers. City of Lethbridge Utilities City of Lethbridge Utilities Electricity is delivered to homes, You Electricity is YOU Electricity is YOU Electricitydelivered tois farms and businesses. YOU deliveredElectricity to is YOU homes,delivered farms to homes,delivered farms to andhomes, businesses. farms andhomes, businesses. farms andand businesses. businesses. 2010

Calgary High River Okotoks Chestermere 625,143 5,114 4,981 550 to 1,071,515 to 11,783 to 23,201 to 14,285

Source: Government of Alberta, Municipal Census

Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development AltaLink 5 Consultation How can you be involved in the process? AltaLink is committed to an open, respectful and thorough consultation program. We work to identify routes with the lowest overall impact on landowners and the environment. Stakeholder input is crucial throughout this process.

We host open houses We take into consideration the and meet with landowners one- stakeholder input and other technical on-one to collect input and environmental information to help 1 about the preliminary routes. 2 us refine the routes.

Depending on the project, we may complete a subsequent stage of consultation on the refined routes. If this second stage occurs, we will update the information package for community 3 members and once again host open houses and one-on-one meetings.

For most projects, we determine preferred and alternate routes that we believe have the lowest overall impact. The preferred and alternate routes will be included in our Facilities Application so that the 4 Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has different route options to review.

We communicate with the community about those routes and file a Facilities Application with the AUC. 5 Alberta’s economy has changed drastically since the 1980s – more new businesses open each year which require a reliable supply of electricity to operate.

6 AltaLink Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development Transmission Routes Our process Prior to public consultation we develop a series of preliminary route options. The factors below are used when we identify potential route options:

Important Criteria

• Loss of crops Agricultural • Reduced efficiency of field operations

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

• Alteration of natural areas and interference with environmentally Environmental sensitive areas

Cost • Construction cost and land acquisition costs

Electrical • Reliability and reparability of the line

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

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

Number of businesses operating in 1988 and 2010

Source: Community Information Database (CID) Calgary Business Registry and High River Okotoks Statistics Canada Please note due to the 1988: 23,550 253 changing geographical 1988: 332 1988: classifications of these 2010: 103,705 areas over time these are 2010: 1,623 2010: 2,689 approximate comparisons.

Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development AltaLink 7 Compensation

How will you be compensated? There are two primary forms of compensation landowners receive for having transmission facilities on their property: a one-time easement compensation payment and ongoing Annual Structure Payments. If AltaLink and the landowner are unable to reach an agreement, then the Surface Rights Board would be asked to determine compensation. Further information on the scope of the Surface Rights Board’s authority and procedures are available at www.surfacerights.gov.ab.ca.

Easement compensation Annual Structure Payments (ASPs) An easement is the ASPs are ongoing annual payments landowners area of land required for receive per structure on their property. Factors transmission facilities. we take into consideration when determining 1 2 ASPs include: AltaLink will pay fair market value per acre for the total • loss of use of the area enclosed by the structure area of the easement that once operational crosses a landowner’s • inconvenience and additional costs associated property while the landowner with weed control retains ownership of the • additional time required to operate equipment land. We determine market around transmission structures value by studying sales, industry comparables • additional seed required or appraisals of similar/ • overlap of pesticide/herbicide and fertilizer comparable types of land used when farming around the structure in the area. • effects on cultivation • intangible adverse effects

High River Calgary in 1986 in 1985 4th Avenue S.W. 12th Avenue and facing east 14th Street SW area

Source: Museum of the Highwood

8 AltaLink Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development Value

What impact do transmission lines have on property values? Landowners often ask this question, and there is no simple answer. Many factors affect market prices of real estate, including market trends, services, proximity to the nearest centres, proximity to existing farming operations and productivity of the soils. The existence of transmission infrastructure is only one factor out of many that would be considered by a prospective buyer. Further, factors that may be important and valuable to one buyer may be considered a drawback by another. Market forces, such as a buyer’s market, seller’s market and the length of time a property has been listed can also impact a property’s selling price. We can provide you with a list of studies on the subject if you are interested.

Okotoks in 1990 McRae Street facing east

Source: Glenbow Archives NA-5654-416 Source: Okotoks Museum and Archives

Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development AltaLink 9 Investing in Alberta's Future How AltaLink generates income Maintaining Alberta’s transmission grid is a big investment. AltaLink earns a regulated return on that investment which is determined by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). AltaLink earns this return by recovering a portion of the transmission charge that is on every ratepayer’s electricity bill. This transmission charge represents less than 10 per cent of the average total electricity bill. As a regulated utility, we must carefully consider all aspects of our projects including the associated costs and we must be prudent in all matters that affect ratepayers.

Breaking down an electricity bill

Charges related Generation to the energy you The cost you pay for consume the electric energy you Administration have used in the given The cost you pay for administration time period. 7% charges such as fees related to billing and customer service.

Charges related to delivering the 56% 10% energy to you

Distribution The cost your 27% distribution company charges to build, operate Transmission and maintain the The cost Transmission Facility Owners (TFO), local distribution such as AltaLink, charge to build, operate system. and maintain the provincial power system. Okotoks 2001 to 2006 1996 to 2006

Okotoks had the fastest population Okotoks’ labour force more than growth for mid-size urban centres doubled from 4,560 to 10,065 people. in Canada. Source: Community Information Database (CID) Source: Okotoks Fact File 2010, Okotoks.ca

10 AltaLink Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development Environment AltaLink is committed to mitigating the impact on the environment during the planning, construction and operation of our transmission facilities. Wherever reasonable, we avoid environmentally sensitive areas through route selection and structure placement. Other ways we mitigate environmental impacts include:

Wildlife and vegetation Wetlands Mitigation of impacts to plants and wildlife is Wetlands are avoided where possible through addressed on a case-by-case basis. route selection and structure placement. If a Options include: structure must be placed into a wetland, we will obtain the necessary approvals from • fencing off sensitive areas Alberta Environment. • restricting the timing of construction • transplanting plants or re-seeding if appropriate Native vegetation • installation of nesting platforms or habitat Where appropriate, we implement the following restoration programs where applicable techniques to minimize impacts to native • cleaning vehicles and equipment prior to entering vegetation: the site to reduce the risk of spreading weeds • restricting construction or maintenance activity to designated areas Water table • using existing roadways, access trails and Structure foundations on a transmission line are previously disturbed areas for site access trails typically not deep enough to affect the water table. • re-vegetating disturbed areas post construction using a seed mix appropriate for the site Tree removal conditions Some trees may need to be removed to help ensure the safe operation of a transmission line. Before removing any trees from the right-of-way, we will consult with landowners. High River 24/7 2X New industrial High River is anticipating High River has transformed companies demand its population to more from a primarily agricultural a lot of power with than double in the next community to a multi-faceted some operational 20 years. business community. 24 hours a day. Source: Town of High River, Business & Tourism Development

Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development AltaLink 11 Construction We will continue to communicate with landowners during the construction phase to provide the most up-to-date information and to mitigate any potential impacts that may arise.

Safety commitment Weed control AltaLink is committed to the safe design, During construction, weed control measures will construction, maintenance and operation of power be implemented to reduce the risk of spreading system facilities. AltaLink’s safety standards weeds. Post construction, a portion of the Annual and practices are developed to meet or exceed Structure Payment compensates landowners for government guidelines and codes to ensure that ongoing weed control measures. This allows the our facilities meet the requirements for public, landowner to choose their preferred method of employee and neighbouring facility safety. weed control.

Construction activities Traffic The typical stages of transmission line During construction, there may be a slight construction include: disruption to traffic. Landowners will be notified in • right-of-way, structure workspace advance of any disruption. and access preparation • materials delivery and storage Noise • tree removal and management Noise may be produced during the construction of vegetation as required phase. After construction is complete, the • building of structure foundations transmission line may produce a low level noise that might be more noticeable during wet • structure assembly and installation conditions. Our transmission lines are designed to • stringing wire (conductor) comply with all applicable noise guidelines. • completing inspections and energizing the transmission line • cleaning and restoring structure locations and the right-of-way

Calgary We use electricity more often and in 12,500 different ways by plugging more things in, turning more things on and flicking switches more often. It’s time to upgrade On average 12,500 new homes were built in Calgary each year, the system and support Albertans’ over the last 10 years (2001-2010). quality of life for years to come. Source: Calgary Economic Development

12 AltaLink Guide to the Foothills Area Transmission Development Transmission Terms

Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Kilovolt (kV) The AESO is the independent, not-for-profit entity responsible for A kilovolt is equal to one thousand volts. This unit of measurement the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of the Alberta is most commonly used when describing transmission and Interconnected Electric System. distribution lines. Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Megawatt The AUC is an independent agency established by the Government The generation of electricity, is measured in megawatts (MW). of Alberta with a mission to ensure that the delivery of Alberta’s utility 1 MW = 1,000,000 watts services take place in a manner that is fair, responsible and in the Need Identification Document public interest. A Need Identification Document is a report compiled by the Alberta AltaLink Electric System Operator. This report examines power production AltaLink owns and maintains the majority of the transmission system and consumption and identifies areas in the province where there in central and southern Alberta. is a need for new or improved utility infrastructure. The Need Identification Document is submitted to the AUC for their review. Capacity The load-carrying ability, expressed in megawatts (MW), Right-of-way of generation, transmission or other electrical equipment. A right-of-way is the strip of land required for the construction and operation of a transmission line. A right-of-way refers to the physical Facilities Application space a transmission line encompasses including areas on either A Facilities Application is submitted by a Transmission Facility side of the line. Owner, such as AltaLink, to the AUC. The purpose of the Facility Application is to describe the proposed project to the AUC for its Structures review. Structures support transmission lines. Structures come in different sizes and designs depending on the voltage of the line and number Generation of circuits each tower needs to carry. Generating facilities convert various forms of energy into electric power. Most of the electricity generated in Alberta comes from coal Substation or natural gas plants, which create electricity by burning the coal or A substation is the connection point between transmission and natural gas distribution systems. Substations house the equipment used to and generating steam to turn a turbine. Wind energy is an emerging control and protect the flow of power in the electrical system. form of generation and is common in southern Alberta. When power passes through a substation, its voltage is reduced so it can be transported to communities through the distribution system. Grid A transmission grid is a network of high-voltage, long-distance Transmission lines transmission lines and substations that connect generating facilities Transmission lines connect the power produced at generating to distribution systems. facilities to substations. Over long distances it is most effective to transport electricity at high voltages. Interconnected system A system consisting of two or more individual power systems connected together by tie lines or interties. Thank you Visit us online! Our website www.altalink.ca has the most up-to-date project information, newsletters, a feedback section and more!

2611 3 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2A 7W7 www.altalink.ca

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