138 kV Transmission Project: Preferred and alternate routes Southern Transmission Reinforcement

January 2011 • Issue 2 Bowmanton

CHAPPICE LAKE Why are you receiving this newsletter? 649S

Bowmanton You are receiving this newsletter because you are a South 244S stakeholder on or near the proposed Medicine Hat 138 Saskatchewan River 41 kV Transmission Project and we want to provide you 524 MEDICINE with important information about the refined proposed REDCLIFF HAT transmission line routes. We used stakeholder input gathered 41A during the first stage of consultation, along with other MEDICINE HAT 41S Desert considerations, to help us refine preliminary route options and 523 Blume 1 arrive at our preferred and alternate routes. BULLSHEAD Roytal Dunmore 523S

3 Bullshead

Seven Persons 887 Please provide us with your input on these routes. Proposed new transmission line preferred route Your input will help us further refine the preferred Proposed new transmission line alternate routes Proposed transmission line upgrade and alternate routes for the proposed line. Detailed maps are included in this package.

How did we refine the preliminary route options? Your input during our first round of consultations helped us refine the preliminary route options. Thank you for providing us with your valuable feedback. We used stakeholder input and the results from further studies and field work, including environmental evaluations, to refine the preliminary route options to a preferred route and alternate routes. We have also removed several route segments. Some of the information we received from stakeholders included: • locations of residences and other buildings that were previously unknown • development plans • details on existing and planned land uses • irrigation systems • oil and gas facilities • other important land features

www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca/satr • [email protected] • 1-877-269-5903 (toll-free) 1 Electricity. When you need it.

About the new transmission line preferred and alternate routes: • none of the routes have been approved • if approved, we will only build one line • the routes in the map below have been refined using stakeholder input, additional route evaluations and information we gathered in the field • we have identified preferred and alternate routes, but we may include all the red and green route options in our application • the final route to be constructed will be chosen by the Alberta Utilities Commission

Preferred - Far east and south route AltaLink has selected the far east and south route as the preferred route option as it has the lowest overall impact.

Bowmanton

CHAPPICE LAKE 649S

Bowmanton South 244S

Saskatchewan River 41

524 MEDICINE REDCLIFF HAT Veinerville 41A

Desert 523 Blume 1 BULLSHEAD Roytal Dunmore 523S

3 Bullshead

Seven Persons 887 Preferred route Preferred far east and south route option considerations are: • lowest number of residences within 800 metres • low number of residences within 150 metres • 50 per cent of the route will parallel the proposed Bowmanton to Whitlaw preferred route • lowest incremental impact to agricultural operations and lowest incremental impact to existing environmental features and interactions • parallels the most amount of road allowance or highway

2 Alternate route options - connector options

Bowmanton The Alternate Route options include segments along existing and

CHAPPICE LAKE planned disturbances as well as a small quarter line option. These 649S route options are generally identified as higher impact. However Bowmanton South 244S these route segments have the potential for similar overall impact to the preferred. As such these segments warrant further Saskatchewan River 41

524 refinement through consultation with stakeholders. MEDICINE REDCLIFF HAT Veinerville Alternative route options considerations as compared to the 41A preferred are: Desert 523 Blume • low number of residences within 150 metres 1 Roytal BULLSHEAD Dunmore • greater number of residences within 800 metres 523S • parallels less road allowance or highway 3 • fewer land use constraints i.e) oil and gas Bullshead • approximately 15 per cent less length and costs Seven Persons 887 Alternate East route Two routes with similar considerations as alternate options are still being considered to allow a connection from our Preferred route to our Alternate route options. Dropped routing Greenfield route segments and the route segments that were along an existing disturbance are no longer being considered. Bowmanton

CHAPPICE LAKE 649S These routes were dropped from further consideration for the Bowmanton following reasons: South 244S • greater number of residences within both 150 metres and Saskatchewan River 41 800 metres 524 MEDICINE • greater land use impacts on agricultural and commercial REDCLIFF HAT Veinerville operations 41A

Desert The route option north of Highway 41A and closest to Veinerville 523 Blume 1 BULLSHEAD Roytal Dunmore was dropped because it has greater environmental impacts 523S including conflicts with sensitive species and soil erosion/stream 3 sedimentation at the creek crossing location. It also has similar Bullshead residential impacts as the route option along Highway 41. Seven Persons 887 Dropped routing

3 Electricity. When you need it.

What progress have we made? During the first stage of consultation we received valuable stakeholder input about the preliminary route options. We held open houses and an information centre in Medicine Hat to gather information and feedback from stakeholders. More than 170 people attended our open houses. We used stakeholder input and results from further studies and field work, including environmental evaluations, to refine preliminary route options to preferred and alternate routes. What’s next? Once we gather stakeholder input, along with other technical and environmental information, we will further refine the preferred and alternate routes to include in our Facilities Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). The AUC is a quasi-judicial agency that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. We anticipate filing our Facilities Application to the AUC in fall 2011. The Facilities Application will describe our plans to meet technical requirements set by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) and includes information on routing, environment, costs, project components, schedule and our participant involvement program.

Away for the winter? It is important to us that you have the opportunity to provide input and have your questions answered. If you are planning to be away during the winter, please contact us directly so that we can arrange a time to meet that is suitable for you. Thank you for participating in our consultation process. Your input is important to us.

4 What is the project schedule?

Activities completed Summer/Fall 2010 First stage of consultation - included open houses and one-on-one consultations Fall 2010 Used stakeholder feedback to refine potential routes

Activities planned Winter 2010/2011 Second stage of consultation - includes open houses and one-on-one consultation with stakeholders affected by the refined routes Summer 2011 Anticipated application filing with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Summer 2012 Anticipated construction start date* Spring 2014 Anticipated construction completion date*

* These steps will only occur if our Facilities Application is approved by the AUC. If the AUC approves the project, we will continue to communicate and consult with stakeholders beyond the application process into the construction stage.

How can you provide input? Your input is important to help us further refine our preferred and alternate routes. You can provide your input by contacting us directly or by visiting our open houses. We will also be contacting all landowners, occupants or renters who have property or reside on or directly adjacent to a proposed transmission line route to schedule one-on-one consultations.

Attending open houses Our representatives will be available at the open houses to share information, gather your input and answer any questions you may have. We will also have project information for you to review. Please see our open house schedule for the locations, dates, times and addresses of the open houses. The open house details will also be advertised in local newspapers and on www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca.

Open House Schedule Monday, February 7 Tuesday, February 15 Wednesday, February 16 Medicine Hat Medicine Hat Medicine Hat 4 – 8 p.m. 4 – 8 p.m. 4 – 8 p.m. Golf Course Medicine Hat Lodge Quality Inn 107 Clubhouse Drive SW 1051 Ross Glenn Drive SE 954 7 Street SW

5 Electricity. When you need it.

Engaging in one-on-one consultations Your participation in the one-on-one consultation process is important. Through these discussions we gather detailed information about your property to help us confirm preferred and alternate routes.We encourage you to use this opportunity to provide us with your input. Your input is important to help us further refine the preferred and alternate routes.

Who will we contact to complete a one-on-one consultation? There are two types of stakeholders we would like to complete one-on-one consultations with: • stakeholders who have property or reside on a proposed transmission line route • stakeholders who have property or reside directly adjacent to a proposed transmission line route Stakeholders who do not have property or reside on or directly adjacent to a proposed transmission line route can participate in one-on-one consultations if they wish. If you are unsure whether you should complete a one-on-one consultation, please contact us. If you completed a one-on-one consultation during the first stage of consultation we would still like to meet with you to gather your input during this stage of consultation.

How does the one-on-one consultation process work? AltaLink uses publicly available information sources to find contact information for stakeholders. Once this information is compiled, Community Consultation Agents (CCAs), AltaLink’s authorized representatives, will contact stakeholders to schedule one-on-one consultations. CCAs complete an extensive training program to ensure they are familiar with the project and can answer questions that arise during the one-on-one consultation process. One- on-one consultations typically take place at your home and last one to three hours depending on the issues being discussed and the amount of land potentially affected.

During the one-on-one consultation process: 1. The CCA will document the information you provide on forms. 2. Both you and the CCA will sign the forms after reviewing them to ensure they accurately reflect the discussion. Signing these documents is optional. Even if you sign them, you can request to change the information on a completed document at any time. 3. You will receive a copy of the forms for your records. 4. One copy will be returned to AltaLink for entering into our database so the information contained on the form can be taken into account by our routing department.

6 Electricity. When you need it.

Project considerations Stakeholders provided us with valuable information and asked a lot of good questions during our first stage of consultation. Some common questions included farming near transmission lines, electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and property value.

Farming near transmission lines • In most agricultural areas, the land under the transmission line is available for cultivation by the landowner. You can safely operate farming machinery/vehicles measuring up to six metres (20 feet) tall under the proposed new 138 kV transmission line. Please note that this height does not apply to existing transmission lines. Remember items such as antennas when measuring the height of your equipment. • Global Positioning Systems (GPS) should not be affected by a transmission line. We will investigate if you believe your GPS receiver has been affected by a transmission line.

Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) AltaLink recognizes that some people are concerned about EMF and we treat those concerns very seriously. For more information please refer to the brochure titled A Dialogue on Electric & Magnetic Fields included with this package.

Property value AltaLink understands that people may be concerned about the impact of new transmission lines on property values and we take those concerns seriously. Transmission lines, like other infrastructure including roads and railways, are part of our landscape. Previous studies have indicated that transmission lines have either a small or no discernable impact on property values in urban and rural areas, and that where an effect is found, it tends to diminish rapidly with distance from the line and to dissipate over time.

7 Electricity. When you need it.

What are the project details? • A new double circuit 138 kV transmission line approximately 45 to 55 kilometres in length, from the existing Bullshead substation (located about three kilometres southwest of Desert Blume) to the proposed Bowmanton substation (located on the east side of Range Road 43, south of Township Road 144). From the proposed Bowmanton Substation to Township Road 114, the eastern most proposed routing parallels a portion of the proposed Bowmanton to Whitla transmission line. • Upgrade the existing single circuit 138 kV transmission line between the existing Medicine Hat Substation (located near the TransCanada Highway and Power House Road) and the existing Chappice Lake Substation (located east of Range Road 43, and south of Township Road 144) to double circuit 138 kV in the same location. The rebuilt line will connect to the proposed Bowmanton Substation. An update on this

portion of the project can be found in this information package. Typical 138 kV double circuit structure similar to • A new single circuit 138 kV transmission line approximately 800 metres in the structure being proposed length between the existing Chappice Lake Substation and the proposed Bowmanton Substation.

Structure information A 138 kV double circuit transmission structure for this project is pictured above. A typical structure will have a: • height of 17 to 26 metres (55 to 85 feet) • diameter of 1 metre (3 feet) • right-of-way width of 20 metres (65 feet) where not in road right-of-way • 1 metre onto road right-of-way or road allowance where route follows roadways • distance between structures averaging 140 metres (460 feet)

8 Electricity. When you need it.

Right-of-way Some proposed route segments follow open and unopen road allowances. In these circumstances structures will typically be placed one metre within the area boundary. Where not on a road allowance, a 20 metre (65 feet) wide right-of-way will be required. A right-of-way refers to the strip of land required for the construction and operation of a transmission line. The right-of-way is subject to development restrictions to help ensure the safe and reliable operation of the transmission lines. Areas along the right-of-way may also be subject to development restrictions.

Substations • Improvements to the existing Medicine Hat, Bullshead and Chappice Lake substations will occur within the A substation contains major equipment substation fenced area. used to regulate voltage and balance the • Electrical equipment and two transformers will be power system, allowing electricity to be added within the fenced boundaries of the proposed safely and efficiently transmitted and

Bowmanton Substation. These transformers will DEFINITION: distributed to your community. adjust voltage levels from 240 kV to 138 kV and allow Substation movement of power along the wires. Project cost The total estimated cost for this project is approximately $54 - 83 million dollars, which would be approximately eight cents per month on the typical residential utility bill. Factors that affect the project cost include: • total line length • technical factors such as number of times the line will cross other facilities and total number of direction changes in the route • structures (corner structures require more material) • cost of structure foundations due to soil conditions • cost of materials • market conditions • current exchange rates • total project duration As a regulated utility, we must carefully manage our costs as they affect Alberta’s ratepayers. The Alberta Utilities Commission will review the costs associated with this project as part of our application. If approved it will review them again once construction is complete to ensure costs reflected in rates to customers are reasonable and prudently incurred.

9 Electricity. When you need it.

Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement Renewable energy, including wind-powered electricity, is an important part of Alberta’s electricity system. Wind energy is a clean, inexhaustible and plentiful resource that is abundant in . Why is this project needed? The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is an independent, not-for-profit entity responsible for the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. The AESO has identified the need to reinforce the transmission system in southern Alberta. Existing transmission lines and substations in the southern part of the province do not have the capacity to connect power generated from new wind farm projects. New transmission projects are being proposed to move the wind power from where it’s generated to you. These projects make up the Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement (SATR). The AESO filed the need for SATR in a formal application, known as a Needs Identification Document (NID), with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) in December 2008. The AUC ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. They held public hearings to review the need for these projects in 2009 and approved the need later that year. The AESO has directed AltaLink to determine transmission routes for the Medicine Hat 138 kV Transmission Project.

The regulatory process We will submit our preferred and alternate routes to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) in our Facilities Application. When the AUC deems an application is complete, a Notice of Application is issued to parties that may be directly and adversely affected by the proposed project and that notice is also typically published in local newspapers. This notice advises the public a Facilities Application has been received, how copies of the application may be obtained, how to access any additional material filed by parties supporting or opposing the application and how to participate in the process. The AUC can approve, approve with conditions or deny a Facilities Application. The length of time for the review process varies. We have enclosed a copy of the AUC brochure: Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications, which describes how you can be involved in the AUC process.

10 Electricity. When you need it. Construction Process AltaLink is committed to the protection and restoration of our project areas. On both cultivated and uncultivated lands, AltaLink strives to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment. As such, we have set strict environmental standards to operate our business. If this project is approved, landowners will be informed about construction plans on their land in advance of any construction.

New construction activities The typical stages of transmission line construction include: • Placing stakes where new structures will be located • Right-of-way, structure workspace and access preparation • Materials delivery and storage • Tree removal and management of vegetation as required • Building of structure foundations • Structure assembly and installation • Stringing wire (conductor) • Completing inspections and energizing the line • Cleaning and restoring structure locations and right-of-way

Safety commitment AltaLink is committed to the safe design, construction, maintenance and operation of power system facilities. AltaLink safety standards and practices are developed to meet or exceed government guidelines and codes to ensure that our facilities meet the requirements for public, employee and neighbouring facility safety.

Traffic During construction, there may be a slight disruption to traffic. Landowners will be notified in advance of any disruption. Traffic control protocol is implemented to ensure: • Safety of construction workers and the public • Construction traffic is restricted to authorized areas • All equipment is clean and free of mud, vegetation, visible oil, gas and grease leaks prior to entry on the right-of-way

Weed control During construction, weed control measures will be implemented to reduce the risk of spreading weeds. Post-construction, a portion of the Annual Structure Payment compensates the landowner for ongoing weed control measures. This allows the landowner to choose their preferred method of weed control (mechanical or chemical).

11 Who can you contact for more information? To learn more about the proposed project you can contact: AltaLink: 1-877-269-5903 (toll-free); [email protected]

To learn more about the need for this project you can contact: Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO): 1-888-866-2959 (toll-free) [email protected]

To learn more about the regulatory process you can contact: Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): 780-427-4903 (You can call toll-free by dialing 310-0000 before the number.) [email protected]

Online information Who is AltaLink? Visit us online! AltaLink, Alberta’s largest transmission provider, is Our website www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca/satr has actively working with stakeholders to build more than the most up-to-date project information, newsletters, 40 new transmission projects, responding to the a feedback section and more. province’s growth and ensuring the transmission system will meet Alberta’s needs today and in the future. PLUS check out our interactive map that shows the Hundreds of kilometres of new, efficient transmission refined route locations. This map will help you find lines will ensure our customers have access to clean your location in proximity to the preferred and wind-generated power and the lowest‐priced electricity alternate routes. Alberta has to offer.

Included in this Stakeholder Information Package: • Project maps • Proposed transmission line upgrade 2611 - 3rd Avenue SE • A Dialogue on Electric and Magnetic fields , Alberta T2A 7W7 • Good Neighbours Phone: 1-877-269-5903 (toll-free) • AUC brochure: Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 403-267-5944 Applications www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca/satr

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