Welcome Langdon to Janet Transmission Project
OPEN HOUSES MAY 2011
We want your input Electricity at a glance
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The proposed project includes: • a new 240 kV transmission line approximately 18 kilometres in length (depending on the final route) from the Langdon Substation to the Janet Substation
• the Janet Substation is located in Rocky View County, east of Calgary at the corner of 50 Avenue and Garden Road SE
• the Langdon Substation is located in Rocky View County, southwest of the Hamlet of Langdon
• modifications to existing transmission lines in the east Calgary area and upgrades to the existing Langdon and Janet Substations
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Potential route options
Existing transmission line 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 the route with the lowest overall impact. We will work with you to ensure your questions and concerns are understood and responded to. After this stage of consultation we will use your input to refine route options and will consult with you again about these refined options in the fall of 2011.
One-on-one consultation We will be contacting landowners located on or directly adjacent to the preliminary routes. To set up a one-on-one consultation please talk to an AltaLink representative.
Information centre The information centre provides the opportunity to meet with AltaLink representatives at times convenient for you. The information centre is located in southeast Calgary in an office building located at: #107, 3355 114 Ave SE Calgary, AB T2Z 0K7 Key players
AltaLink AltaLink provides electric service to more than 85 per cent of Albertans and owns the majority of the transmission system in central and southern Alberta. New efficient transmission lines will ensure we all have access to clean wind-generated power and the lowest-priced electricity Alberta has to offer.
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) The 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 determines the need for transmission reinforcement and directs Transmission Facility Owners, such as AltaLink, to submit a Facility Application for permitting and licensing to construct and operate transmission facilities.
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) The AUC is a quasi-judicial agency that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. The AUC is the provincial regulator responsible for reviewing Facility Applications. AUC approval is required before construction of facilities can occur.
Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Processes
AESO determines need Review of Need
AltaLink, the Transmission Facility Owner, completes Review of routing consultation, detailed line and facilities design and routing Foothills Area Transmission Development
The Foothills Area Transmission Development (FATD) will ensure power from new generation plants; including local gas generation and wind power generated in southern Alberta, is connected to Alberta’s electric grid to meet growing demand in the greater Calgary area. The Langdon to Janet Transmission Project will reinforce the transmission system in the Foothills and Calgary area. Landowner compensation
At AltaLink, we believe landowners who have transmission facilities on their property should be compensated fairly. The one-time payments for the preferred route include: • $10,000 early access and routing consent payment: allows AltaLink to complete pre-construction surveys and is paid to landowners who sign an easement prior to AUC decision
• $250-5,000 per title entry fee payment: amount depends on the number of acres required for the transmission line
• $1,500 minimum general disturbance payment
• $2,500 (per titled unit) land damages payment: ($2,500 pre-construction; post construction paid if applicable)
Easement: we will pay fair market value per acre for the total area of the easement that crosses a landowner’s property while the landowner retains ownership of the land. With the exception of the $10,000 early access payment and a $50 signing fee, all other one-time payments are subject to the AUC’s approval of this project. Landowner compensation (continued)
Annual Structure Payments (ASPs) Lattice structures: • $1,178 per structure per year on cultivated land
• $471 per structure per year on uncultivated land
Tubular structures: • $243 per structure per year on cultivated land
• $97 per structure per year on uncultivated land
Factors we take into consideration when determining ASP s include: • the loss of use of the area enclosed by the structure once operational the inconvenience and additional costs associated with weed control
• additional time required to operate equipment around transmission structures
• additional seed required Routing
• • overlap of pesticide/herbicide and fertilizer used when farming around
• the structure
• • effects on cultivation
Preliminary route options Prior to the first round of consultation we develop a series of preliminary route options. Here’s what we look at when we are identifying route options: • Areas of high residential density
• Environmentally sensitive areas
• Existing infrastructure; such as oil and gas facilities and telecommunication sites
• Other transmission lines, quarter lines or section lines
Refined route options
We use stakeholder input and information from activities such as field work to refine the route options and identify preferred and alternate routes. We then consult with stakeholders on the preferred and alternate routes. What information do we need from you? Preferred and alternate routes We use stakeholder input and other information to further refine the preferred and alternate routes, and file an application with the Alberta Utilities Commission.
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 Environmental environmentally sensitive areas
Cost • Construction cost and land acquisition costs
Electrical • Reliability and reparability of the line
• Visual impact of structures and lines as seen Visual from residences, farms, roads and recreational installations
• Electrical interference with radio transmitting Special stations and other telecommunication considerations equipment etc. Project details – transmission line
This project involves a new 240 kV (240,000 volts) transmission line approximately 18 kilometres in length (depending on the final route) from the Langdon Substation to the Janet Substation in the east Calgary area.
Lattice structure information A typical structure will have a: • height of 44 to 60 metres (144 to 197 feet) • width of 22 to 24 metres at the widest arm (72 to 79 feet) • base of 10 by 10 metres, up to 14 by 14 metres (32 by 32 feet, up to 46 by 46 feet) • right-of-way width of 60 metres (197 feet) • distance between structures averaging 365 metres (1,198 feet)
Tubular structure information We may use tubular structures for certain portions of this line where there is limited right-of-way space due to existing developments. 3D rendering of 240 kV A typical structure will have a: double circuit structure • height of 36 to 48 metres (118 to 157.5 feet)
• width of 11 to 15 metres at the widest arm (36 to 49.2 feet)
• base diameter of about one to two metres (3.3 feet to 6.6 feet)
• right-of-way width of 40 metres (131 feet)
• distance between structures averaging 275 metres (900 feet)
Rendering of 240 kV double circuit tubular structure Project details – structure locations
We understand that stakeholders have information we need to consider when evaluating preliminary routes. The table below describes in detail the type of information we need from you to further refine the routes.
Preliminary structure locations We also want input about our preliminary structure locations. Where possible we’ve tried to avoid residences, wetland areas and reduce agricultural impacts, among other potential impacts. If there are features we haven’t identified that we should be aware of, please let us know.
Project details – structure workspaces
In addition to the main transmission line right-of-way, there are three other areas we require when constructing a transmission line:
1. Additional required right-of-way: This is additional area beyond the transmission line right-of-way that we use to construct the structures and operate equipment.
2. Optional temporary workspace: This is area beyond the transmission line right-of-way next to the transmission structures to help us build the line more efficiently. It allows us to easily store material, assemble and construct the structures.
3. Access: This is additional area we require to access the transmission line right-of-way. Landowners will receive fair compensation for additional required right-of-way, optional temporary workspace and access. Right-of-way
This diagram shows an example of a optional temporary workspace. Project details - substations
Janet Substation The Janet Substation is located in Rocky View County, east of Calgary at the corner of 50 Avenue and Garden Road SE. • all of the work proposed to take place will occur on existing AltaLink-owned property
• the substation fence will be expanded on the property to allow for placement of the new substation equipment
• existing transmission lines coming into and around the substation will be moved to accommodate the new equipment
Langdon Substation The Langdon Substation is located in Rocky View County, and southwest of the Hamlet of Langdon. All of the work taking place at the Langdon Substation will occur within the fence line and on existing AltaLink-owned property.
Modifications to existing transmission lines Depending on the route selected, the existing transmission line between the Janet and Langdon Substations may have to be altered. More information will be provided as we further refine the potential routes. Project costs
The estimated cost of this project is between $185 million and $280 million. A $280 million project represents $0.28 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 angles 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 (AUC) will review the costs associated with this project as part of our application, and if approved, will review them again once construction is complete to ensure costs reflected in rates to customers are reasonable and prudently incurred. Project schedule
March to July 2011 First stage of consultation – includes open houses, information centres and one-on-one consultations with stakeholders
July to September Use stakeholder feedback to help us refine preliminary 2011 routes
September to Second stage of consultation – includes open houses, October 2011 information centres and one-on-one consultations with stakeholders affected by the refined routes
November 2011 Anticipated application filing with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Environmental evaluation
A project specific Environmental Evaluation will: • identify environmental features and potential impacts
• define mitigations
• ensure applicable provincial and federal legislation is met
An Environmental Evaluation involves a data analysis and field surveys on all potential routes and examines: • public input and regulatory consultation
• existing environment literature and scientific papers
• Federal and provincial fisheries, wildlife and vegetation inventory data
• fish, wildlife and vegetation field surveys though aerial and roadside reconnaissance of potential routes
• surface and groundwater inventory data and field surveys including wetlands, watercourses and aquifers
• soil and geo-technical inventory data and field surveys
Access to land for environmental surveys is subject to landowner approval. Environmental evaluation
AltaLink considers the environment in project planning by: • incorporating Environmental Evaluation information into our route selection
• avoiding known environmental features during initial route selection, as possible
• developing mitigation plans to minimize disturbance when avoidance is not possible
• paralleling existing corridors such as roads, pipelines and power lines where applicable
• ensuring routes meet all current environmental regulations and address guidelines Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)
Common questions about electrical effects include: Q. Will there be TV/radio interference? Based on our experience, there will be no impact on cable or satellite TV. For regular TV/ radio we will meet regulatory guidelines and investigate concerns. Q. Will there be wireless internet interference? Based on our experience, there will be no impact to wireless internet. Q. Will Global Positioning Systems (GPS) be affected? Based on existing research interference is unlikely, but we will investigate concerns. Q. Will there be an effect on cardiac pacemakers? Most pacemakers are immune to power line EMF, but we can provide information specific to the pacemaker model. Q. What about audible noise? AltaLink’s facilities will meet AUC noise guidelines. Q. What about electrical charges built up in buildings and fences? This is mitigated through grounding we install during construction. Q. What about stray voltage? This is not caused by transmission lines; stray voltage is usually related to distribution line operation or local wiring practices Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)
AltaLink recognizes that some people are concerned about EMF and we treat those concerns very seriously. Based on more than 30 years of research, national and international health agencies have not concluded that EMF associated with high voltage transmission lines will adversely affect your health or the health of plants and animals. They have not recommended the general public take steps to limit their everyday exposure to EMF. AltaLink will ensure any problems caused by interference from our facilities are corrected and all applicable guidelines are met.
Where can you find EMF? • electric utility equipment and facilities
• household electrical appliances
• building wiring
Thank you
Your feedback is important to us. To learn more about this project visit www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca/fatd, or contact us: • Toll-free: 1-877-767-4484
• E-mail: [email protected]
To learn more about AltaLink visit www.altalink.ca