January 2010

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BON ACCORD

BRUDERHEIMGIBBONS

REDWATER

EDMONTON

FORTSASKATCHEWAN

UV829

UV28

UV45

UV38

UV15

UV644

UV643

UV28A

Amelia

StrathconaHeights

Coronado

12SHeartland

Why are you receiving this newsletter? You are receiving this newsletter because you are a landowner, resident or occupant located near a substation and transmission line that AltaLink is proposing to build and we want your feedback. The proposed substation will be named Heartland 12S, and the 240 kilovolt (kV) transmission line is named 1054L/1061L.

We also want to provide you with:

• Project details

• Detail maps

• Information about how you can provide input

Heartland Substation and Transmission Line Development

What does this project involve?AltaLink is proposing to build:

• a new 500 kilovolt (kV)/240 kV substation, named Heartland 12S including a communications tower within the substation site

• about 22 kilometres (km) of new 240 kV transmission line from the new substation to an existing line, named 942L/943L

These proposed facilities are located north of Fort Saskatchewan in the Heartland Industrial Area.

The Heartland Substation 12S will be the termination point for the proposed 500 kV double circuit transmission line associated with the Heartland Transmission Project, if it is approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). More information about the Heartland Transmission Project can be found at www.heartlandtransmission.ca. The new 240 kV transmission line will distribute power from the Heartland 500 kV line to northeastern Alberta.

Who is AltaLink?AltaLink is a regulated utility that owns and operates approximately 11,800 kilometres of transmission lines and 270 substations. We provide electric service to more than 85 per cent of Albertans and own the majority of the transmission system in central and southern Alberta. To find out more about AltaLink, or if you have any questions please visit our website at www.altalink.ca.

Electricity. When you need it.

What are the project details?

Substation

The proposed substation will be called Heartland Substation 12S. AltaLink is proposing to locate the substation north of Fort Saskatchewan at NE 20-56-22-W4. Please see the enclosed map for the location.

The substation will contain equipment such as transformers that reduce the voltage of the electricity carried on the transmission system to a lower level. The Heartland substation will be switching the power on the 500 kV system as well as reducing the incoming 500 kV electricity to 240 kV. The electricity will be carried along the new 240 kV transmission line to a distribution substation in northeastern Alberta where the voltage will be further reduced to distribution levels for delivery to industrial customers, businesses, farms and homes.

The substation will be in a fenced area approximately 260 metres by 385 metres (850 feet by 1,260 feet) and will be accessible through a locked gate by authorized personnel only. The substation will include four, single phase 500/240kV transformers with associated circuit breakers and related equipment. When the substation becomes operational, it will accommodate the 500 kV double circuit line associated with the Heartland Transmission Project and two 240 kV lines. Work will also be completed to prepare the substation for three additional 500 kV lines and two more 240 kV lines anticipated in future projects. The substation site will also have the capacity for possible future growth including two 500 kV lines and eight more 240 kV lines; however, there are no conceptual plans for additional lines at this time (other than those identified above).

A communications tower approximately 50 metres (164 feet) tall will be located within the proposed substation site. For more information on the communications tower please see the page inserted into this newsletter. Please refer to the detail and photo maps in this newsletter to identify your location in relation to the proposed substation site.

The Heartland substation will be similar to the substation pictured here.

Transmission line

AltaLink is proposing to build about 22 km of new 240 kV transmission line from a new substation which will be called Heartland 12S to an existing line, named 942L/943L.

The line will be built with steel structures. The typical structures range from about 44 to 57 metres (145 to 190 feet) high and are about 21 metres (70 feet) wide. The structures will be double circuit, meaning they will have the capacity to carry three sets of wires on each side. Each set of wires will have two wires bundled together. The transmission line right-of-way (a physical strip of land provided for a transmission line) will be 60 metres (200 feet) wide. AltaLink will consult with landowners on the location of the right-of-way.

The detail map in this package includes the proposed routes where the transmission line could be located. AltaLink is aware of the Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) located along the North Saskatchewan River and will comply with all applicable guidelines and regulations associated with the ESA.

The transmission line will be located within the heavy industrial zone to the extent practicable. The routes on the enclosed detailed maps are preliminary. Through consultation and further review, routes may be added and/or deleted and AltaLink will keep stakeholders informed of these changes. We welcome stakeholder comments about the proposed routes.

The new transmission structures will be similar to this existing structure.

You are Invited to an Open House

Date: Wed., January 27, 2010

Time: 3 to 8 p.m.

Place: Bon Accord Community Hall 4931-50th Avenue Bon Accord

Electricity. When you need it.

Why is this project needed?The project is the result of planning conducted by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), Alberta’s independent, not-for profit transmission system planner. It is required to interconnect the Heartland Transmission Project into the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES). Further information regarding the need for the Heartland Transmission Project can be found in the Key Projects section on the AESO website, www.aeso.ca. Additional information regarding this project and other transmission projects in Alberta can be found in the AESO Long-term Transmission System Plan 2009, which is also available on the AESO website home page.

What about Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF)?AltaLink recognizes that some people are concerned about EMF and we treat those concerns very seriously. AltaLink has experts who are available on request to measure the EMF or noise levels around your home, and ensure that all ungrounded metallic objects such as metal buildings and fences near the transmission line are properly grounded if necessary.

Other projects in the area You may have heard about other transmission projects in the area. If you would like more information on any of these projects, please contact us directly.

Proposed projects in the Redwater/Gibbons area:

• a double circuit 500 kV transmission line using either the preferred East Transportation/Utility Corridor (TUC) Route or the alternate West Route (north and west of Edmonton) to the proposed Heartland Substation 12S (the Heartland Transmission Project). Only one line will be built, if approved by the AUC.

• a 500 kV line from the Heartland Substation 12S to the Fort McMurray area.

• transmission lines to industrial users in the area as required.

What is the project schedule?

Winter/Spring 2010 Notify and consult with landowners, residents and occupants.

January 2010 Open house scheduled.

Spring 2010 Anticipated filing date of Facility Application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).

Summer 2011 Start of substation construction if approval is received from the AUC.

Summer 2012 Start of 240 kV transmission line construction if approval is received from the AUC.

Early 2013 End of construction for substation and 240 kV transmission line.

• Project Maps

• A Dialogue on Electric & Magnetic Fields

• Good Neighbours

• Public Involvement in Facility Applications to the Alberta Utilities Commission

Included in this Stakeholder Information Package:

What happens during construction?Depending on where you are in relation to the proposed transmission line or substation you may hear or see:

• Noise and construction crews.

• Selective clearing of trees and vegetation along the transmission line right-of-way. A right-of-way is a physical strip of land provided for a transmission line.

• Installation of steel transmission structures.

• Stringing of wires on new transmission structures.

• Leveling and grading of the substation site.

• Construction of a substation and installation of a communications tower.

• On all projects where the landowners identify clubroot or weeds as a concern, AltaLink will ensure that all vehicles are cleaned prior to entering fields.

Throughout the construction process, AltaLink and its contractors will follow all applicable Alberta Environment legislation and requirements and use appropriate techniques to protect water quality, soil, vegetation and wildlife habitat. Obtaining access and carrying out activities on private property is done in consultation with the landowner. Any noise associated with the construction and/or operation of the new facilities will comply with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Noise Control Rule 12 and any other relevant noise regulations and standards.

How much noise will the facilities create?The audible noise levels from the proposed transmission facilities will be below the AUC prescribed limit, which is 40 decibels (dBA) at the edge of the right-of-way, in rural areas in the evening (from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.) We will be conducting a noise impact assessment during the design phase of the new substation.

In urban areas, as a result of noise from roadways, residences, industries, rail lines and airports, the AUC limit can be higher than in the rural areas. The AUC nighttime limit can range between 43 and 56 dBA depending on proximity to other noise sources, with many of the urban residences falling into the 43 to 51 dBA range.

For comparison, the audible noise level one metre away from a refrigerator is 34 to 53 dBA and 80 to 90 dBA at the same distance from an electric lawn mower.

We will take audible noise and radio/TV interference measurements along the line and near the substation when it is in service. All transmission facilities must be compliant with the applicable AUC Noise Control Rule 12 and federal interference guidelines. The AUC Noise Control Rule can be found on its website at www.auc.ab.ca.

Heartland Substation and Transmission Line DevelopmentJanuary 2010

Communications towerAs part of the proposed Heartland 12S Substation project we will be installing a microwave communications tower. The tower will be located inside the substation fence which will be accessible through a locked gate by authorized personnel only. The current proposed substation location is:

• NE 20-56-22-W4 (Latitude 53.858 N Longitude 113.230 W)

The purpose of the communications tower

is to support equipment that transmits data to our system control centre. It will also be used by the AltaLink Control Centre for remote control operation of the electrical system, as well as private voice communications to staff on site, allowing us to monitor the safety and reliability of our electrical system.

The tower will be approximately 50 metres (164 feet) tall with a triangle base dimension of approximately five metres (20 feet). The communications tower will be similar in height to the transmission structures built within the scope of this project. The tower will be self supporting and there will be antennas attached at or near the top of the tower. It will be painted and have obstruction lighting to meet the requirements of Transport Canada.

For general information relating to antenna systems contact Industry Canada:

Website: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/antenna Telephone: 613-954-5031 Toll-free: 1-800-328-6189 (Canada)

For more information regarding the telecommunications tower, please visit:

www.altalink.ca

If you have any questions regarding the communications tower, please contact:

Phone: 1-877-723-6851 (toll-free)

E-mail: altalinkconsultation@eba.ca

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the communications tower please contact AltaLink within 30 days of receiving this notification.

Richard Hird, P.Eng., AltaLink Manager, Network Communications

Richard Hird attests that the radio installation described in this notification package 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. The radio system described is excluded from the environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. To ensure the structural adequacy of the tower, the design and installation will follow industry standards and sound engineering practice.

The new communications tower will be similar to this existing tower.

2611 - 3rd Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2A 7W7 Phone: 1-877-723-6851 (toll-free) Email: altalinkconsultation@eba.ca www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca

Thank you!Your feedback is important to us. To learn more about AltaLink visit www.altalink.ca. To learn more about this project visit www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca, or please contact us at the information listed below.

How can you provide input?AltaLink’s representatives will contact landowners, residents and occupants near the proposed new transmission line and substation by phone or in person to discuss the project, gather feedback and address questions or concerns. We will also be hosting an open house where project team members will be available to answer questions, provide information on the project and receive your feedback.

We consider landowner comments in our project evaluations and summarize the input received from landowners in our Facility Application (FA). The FA describes our plans to meet technical requirements set by the AESO and provides information on routing, the environment, costs, project components and schedules, and our participant involvement program. We will submit the FA to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for its approval.

The AUC is a quasi-judicial agency, established by the Alberta government, that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. We have enclosed a copy of the AUC brochure: Public Involvement in Facility Applications, which describes how you can be involved in the AUC process.

Who can you contact for more information?To learn more about the proposed project you can contact:

AltaLink: 1-877-723-6851 (toll-free); altalinkconsultation@eba.ca

Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO): 1-888-866-2959 (toll-free)

Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): 780-427-4903 (You can call toll-free by dialing 310-0000 before the number.)