June 2011 Electric system improvements near you Spruce Grove Substation Project DID YOU KNOW? The average four-person family in Alberta today has 20 ‘instant-on’ electronics such as laptops, DVD players, music device chargers and cell phone chargers. These are in addition to the other appliances necessary to run a home – fridges, stoves, microwaves, washers and dryers – all of which require a reliable supply of electricity. You are receiving this newsletter because you are near the DEFINITION Substation proposed Spruce Grove Substation Project and we want A substation is the connection your input. point between high-voltage transmission lines and the lower The City of Spruce Grove and surrounding area have grown significantly in voltage power lines (called recent years and the demand for electricity has increased. Improving the distribution lines) that connect electric transmission system is required to ensure residents, businesses and directly to homes and businesses. industrial facilities continue to have a reliable supply of electricity for years After a transmission line brings to come. power to a substation, its voltage is reduced so it can be transported We want to provide you with: safely and efficiently to you. • project details • map of the proposed project • project schedule • information about how you can provide your input • next steps CONTACT US 1-877-380-0303 (toll free) [email protected] Visit us online at www.altalink.ca/regionalprojects 44 16 A B EDMONTON SPRUCE44 GROVE 16 A B EDMONTON SPRUCE GROVE 60 60 DEFINITION kV (kilovolt) Stony Plain Stony Plain A kilovolt is equal to one thousand No. 135 No. 135 volts and is most commonly used when describing transmission LEGENDLEGEND and distribution lines. AltaLink’s Proposed Existing transmission lines range from 69 kV LEGENDSubstation Site A Transmission Line (69,000 volts) to 500 kV (500,000 Proposed Major Road SubstationProposed Site B Existing volts). Light bulbs typically range First Nations Reserve ExistingSubstation Acheson SiteUrban A Area Transmission Line from 1.5 to 300 volts. 305S Substation Proposed Major Road DEFINITION Substation Site B Transmission lines Project details First Nations Reserve Transmission lines make up Alberta’s The proposedExisting Spruce Acheson Grove Substation ProjectUrban includes: Area electric highway, linking the places 305S Substation • building a new 138/25 kilovolt (kV) substation called Spruce Grove where power is generated to your community where power is • building up to approximately 300 metres (984 feet) of new 138 kV used. Transmission lines transport transmission lines large amounts of power over long distances across the province. • building a telecommunications tower within the proposed Spruce Grove The transmission system connects Substation diverse sources of power generation • replacing the existing telecommunications tower within the existing including wind, high-efficiency coal, Acheson Substation natural gas and more. 2 WHO IS ALTALINK? New substation AltaLink’s transmission system AltaLink is proposing to build a new substation, which will be called the efficiently delivers electricity to 85 per cent of Albertans. Dedicated Spruce Grove Substation, near the Acheson Industrial Area. Two options are to meeting the growing need for proposed for the location of the substation. If approved, only one substation electricity, AltaLink connects will be built. A map included in this information package shows the location of Albertans to renewable, reliable the proposed Spruce Grove Substation. and low-cost power. With a commitment to community and environment, AltaLink is ensuring the transmission system will support Albertans’ quality of life for years to come. Learn more at www.altalink.ca. The proposed Spruce Grove Substation will look similar to the one pictured here. 3 The proposed transmission lines will look similar to the ones pictured here. DEFINITION New transmission lines Electric system As part of this project, AltaLink is proposing to build up to approximately Alberta’s electric system is 300 metres (984 feet) of new transmission lines that will connect the comprised of power plants, Spruce Grove Substation to an existing line in the area. thousands of kilometres of power The transmission structures will be single circuit 138 kV structures and will lines (high-voltage transmission lines and lower voltage distribution be approximately 21 metres (70 feet) high. lines) and hundreds of substations. The Spruce Grove Substation Project will provide electricity to the local The electric system works behind community and support the future growth of the Acheson Industrial Area. the scenes 24 hours a day to keep It will also help connect FortisAlberta’s distribution line to Alberta’s your lights on. electric system. DEFINITION Distribution line After transmission lines bring the electricity from power plants to substations and the voltage is reduced, distribution lines carry the lower voltage electricity to your homes, farms and businesses. 4 Upper left: The new telecommunications tower at the Spruce Grove Substation will look similar to the one pictured here. Lower left: This is the existing Acheson Substation where we propose to replace the existing telecommunications pole. Telecommunications towers AltaLink is proposing to build a telecommunications tower at the proposed DEFINITION Spruce Grove Substation in NW 9-53-26-W4M. AltaLink is also proposing to Telecommunications replace the existing telecommunications pole at the Acheson Substation with tower a new telecommunications tower. The Acheson Substation is located in A telecommunications tower SW 28-52-26-W4M. transmits data to our system Both of the new towers will be located within the substations’ fences and may control centre, allowing us to monitor the operation of the include expansion or modifications to the existing control buildings to house electric system and ensure the necessary equipment. safety and reliability of the system The new towers will: for our customers. • be approximately 30 – 35 metres (95 – 115 feet) tall • have a triangular base • be self-supporting structures The towers will be painted and may have lighting to comply with Transport Canada’s requirements. The radio installations described in this notification will be installed and operated on an ongoing basis so as to comply with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6, which defines safe levels of radio frequency (RF) exposure. To ensure the structural adequacy of the towers, the design and installation will follow industry standards and sound engineering practices. 5 Providing your input Stakeholder input is critical to identifying the lowest overall impact solution for the Spruce Grove Substation Project. You can provide your input in any of the following ways. DEFINITION Facilities Application ATET NDING OUR OPEN HOUSE AltaLink submits Facilities Please join us at our open house. We will be available to share information, Applications to the AUC gather your input and address any questions or concerns you might have. for review. A Facilities Application describes how Wednesday, July 6, 2011 4 – 8 p.m. AltaLink proposes to meet Elk’s Hall 400 Diamond Avenue, Spruce Grove the requirement for a transmission project. It includes PArTicipating in A one-on-one consultation routing details, results of We will contact occupants, residents and landowners near the proposed the participant involvement project to gather input through one-on-one consultations. During the one-on- program and technical details. one process we will document the information you provide and address any Facilities Applications must be questions or concerns you may have about the project. approved by the AUC before contacTing US DirecTLy construction can begin. You can contact us by telephone, email, mail or through our website. DEFINITION Our contact information is on the front and back pages of this newsletter. Alberta Utilities Commission Next steps The Alberta Utilities After consulting with stakeholders, we will use the input gathered to help Commission (AUC) ensures the determine the most suitable location for this project. After the consultation fair and responsible delivery process is complete we will file a Facilities Application with the Alberta of Alberta’s utility services. Utilities Commission (AUC). The AUC will review the application through a AltaLink submits applications process in which stakeholders can participate. for new transmission projects We will notify stakeholders when we file the Facilities Application and again to the AUC and the AUC reviews once the AUC has reached a decision about the project. To learn more about them in a public process. the AUC process and how you can become involved, please refer to the brochure included in this package titled Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications. Project schedule Notify and consult with stakeholders Summer 2011 File application with Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Fall – Winter 2011 Start construction if project is approved Summer 2012 Complete construction Winter 2012 6 DID YOU KNOW? Transmission lines connect wind power to the electric system so Alberta’s homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and community centres are powered with greener, cleaner energy. Since the energization of AltaLink’s 90-kilometre transmission line between Lethbridge and Pincher creek in 2010, Albertans now have access to twice the amount of wind power. Other projects in the area AltaLink is working on another project in the area to make