North Foothills Transmission Project - Open House Booklet (Nov 2011)

WelcomeNorth Foothills Transmission ProjectOpen HOuses nOvember 2011

Your input is important to us.

Did you Know?Electricity consumption in Calgary and the communities south and east of Calgary is expected to increase by approximately 30 per cent in the next decade.Source: Alberta Electric System Operator

Electricity at a Glance

GENERATIONATCO Power

TransAlta Capital Power Corporation

ENMAX Energy Wind turbines

Cogeneration plants

TRANSMISSIONAltaLink

ATCO Electric ENMAX Power (Calgary)

EPCOR (Edmonton)

SUBSTATIONAltaLink


EPCOR (Edmonton)

DISTRIBUTIONFortisAlberta ATCO Electric

ENMAX Power (Calgary) EPCOR (Edmonton) Rural Electrification

Associations

RETAILERSDirect Energy

ENMAX (Calgary) EPCOR Energy (Edmonton)

Just Energy Alberta City of Lethbridge Utilities

YOU

Generating facilities convert various forms of

energy into electric power.

Transmission lines connect the power produced

at generating facilities to

substations.

Substations are the connection points between

transmission and distribution

systems.

Distribution lines carry electricity to homes, farms and businesses.

Retailers give consumers a

choice of electricity service

providers.

Electricity is delivered to

homes, farms and businesses.




Cogeneration plants



EPCOR (Edmonton)

SUBSTATIONAltaLink


EPCOR (Edmonton)



Associations




YOU





substations.



systems.




providers.






Cogeneration plants



EPCOR (Edmonton)

SUBSTATIONAltaLink


EPCOR (Edmonton)



Associations




YOU





substations.



systems.




providers.






Cogeneration plants



EPCOR (Edmonton)

SUBSTATIONAltaLink


EPCOR (Edmonton)



Associations




YOU





substations.



systems.




providers.






Cogeneration plants



EPCOR (Edmonton)

SUBSTATIONAltaLink


EPCOR (Edmonton)



Associations




YOU





substations.



systems.




providers.






Cogeneration plants



EPCOR (Edmonton)

SUBSTATIONAltaLink


EPCOR (Edmonton)



Associations




YOU





substations.



systems.




providers.



DistributionFortisAlberta ATCO Electric ENMAX Power (Calgary) EPCOR (Edmonton) Rural Electrification Associations

Electricity is delivered to homes, farms and businesses.

GenerationATCO Power TransAlta Capital Power Corporation ENMAX Energy Wind turbines Cogeneration plants

Generating facilities convert various forms of energy into electric power.

Transmission lines connect the power produced at generating facilities to substations.

Substations are the connection points between transmission and distribution systems.


Retailers give consumers a choice of electricity service providers.

Y ou

RetailersDirect Energy ENMAX (Calgary) EPCOR Energy (Edmonton) Just Energy Alberta City of Lethbridge Utilities

TransmissionAltaLink ATCO Electric ENMAX Power (Calgary) EPCOR (Edmonton)

SubstationsAltaLink ATCO Electric ENMAX Power (Calgary) EPCOR (Edmonton)

Did you know?The existing electrical transmission system in the Foothills and Calgary areas has not had any major developments or upgrades since 1985, while the population in these communities has grown substantially.

pOpulatiOn in 1985 pOpulatiOn in 2010

Calgary 625,143 1,071,515

HigH river 5,114 11,783

OkOtOks 4,981 23,201

Source: Okotoks Museum and Archives

OkOtOks tHen (1990)

OkOtOks nOw (2011)

DEFiNiTioN

Alberta Utilities CommissionThe Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) ensures the fair and responsible delivery of Alberta’s utility services. AltaLink submits applications for new transmission projects to the AUC and the AUC reviews them in a public process.

Regulatory Process

1. After we gather more stakeholder input and other technical and environmental information, we will further refine the preferred and alternate routes and submit our Facilities Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). The AUC ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. The AUC will review the Facilities Application through a process in which stakeholders can participate.

2. 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. This notice is also typically published in local newspapers.

3. The AUC can approve, approve with conditions or deny a Facilities Application.

What progress have we made?Your continued input is important to our project and helps us identify the route with the lowest overall impact.

During the first stage of consultation we received valuable stakeholder input about the preliminary route options. We used this stakeholder input and the results from further studies and field work, including environmental evaluations, to refine the preliminary route options to preferred and alternate routes.

We want your input on the preferred and alternate routes.

updated prOjeCt sCHedule

Fall / winter 2011

Notify landowners of preferred and alternate routes to be included in the Facilities Application

Late 2011 File Facilities Application with the AUC

Spring 2013 Start construction if project is approved

prOjeCt COst

The estimated cost of this project is between $130 to $190 million, which would be approximately 13 to 19 cents per month on the typical residential utility bill.

Did you know?A reliable transmission system keeps costs low by connecting diverse sources of power generation to the grid. Transmission costs make up about 10 per cent of the average residential utility bill. Generation costs – the cost of actually creating power – make up the largest portion of a bill, at more than 50 per cent. The transmission system always hooks up the lowest priced generator to the grid first, so generators compete to provide Albertans with cost-effective electricity.

Foothills Area Transmission Development (FATD)The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has identified the need to strengthen the transmission system in the MD of Foothills and south Calgary. The AESO is an independent, not-for-profit entity responsible for the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of Alberta’s electric system.

The North Foothills Transmission Project (NFTP) is one of the projects identified in the FATD. This project will:

• ensure the transmission system will meet growing demand in developing areas and maintain a reliable supply of electricity

• ensure power from new generation plants, including gas and wind power, is connected to Alberta’s electric grid

Project overviewThis project involves a new double circuit 240 kV steel lattice transmission line approximately 51 to 55 kilometres in length (depending on the final route) starting at the proposed Foothills Substation, located east of High River. The line will proceed north and connect to a substation in southeast Calgary proposed by ENMAX Power (No. 65 Substation).

799

22X

2

23

547

24

901

552797

Frank Lake

PROPOSED ENMAX#65 SUB

CALGARY

Gladys

Mazeppa

HIGH RIVER

OKOTOKS

LEGENDProposed ENMAX Substation

Proposed SubstationPreferred Transmission RouteAlternate Transmission RouteOption to the PreferredTransmission Route

Existing SubstationHamlet or LocalityExisting Transmission LineRoadUrban AreaWater Body

Rendering of the 240 kV double circuit transmission structure proposed for this project

Structure typeA 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)

• distance between structures averaging 365 metres (1,198 feet)

• right-of-way width of 60 metres (197 feet)

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 transmission lines.

Substations FOOtHills substatiOn

The transmission line will start at the proposed Foothills Substation, located east of Highway 2, in the High River area, and west of Frank Lake in NW-35-18-28-W4M.

ENMAX No. 65 SUbSTATioN

ENMAX No. 65 Substation has been proposed by ENMAX Power and will be located near the intersection of Highway 22x and 88 Street SE. ENMAX Power has completed public consultation for this substation and has submitted a Facilities Application to the AUC.

The proposed Foothills Substation will look similar

to the one pictured here.

DEFiNiTioN

SubstationSubstations are the connection point between high-voltage transmission lines and the lower voltage power lines (called distribution lines) that connect directly to homes and businesses.

After a transmission line brings power to a substation, its voltage is reduced so it can be transported safely and efficiently to you.

Preferred routeAltaLink has identified the route option that essentially parallels existing transmission lines as the preferred route. The preferred route:

• parallels the largest amount of existing infrastructure

o parallels the 1201L transmission line for approximately 28 kilometres (17 miles)

o parallels the 850L transmission line for approximately 14 kilometres (9 miles)

• minimizes fragmentation of the land reducing the risk of land use and agricultural impacts

• has the least impact on areas with potential historical importance

• is estimated to be the lowest cost route

A route option that runs adjacent to Frank Lake is also included for consideration as part of the preferred route.

804

7

797

7992A

22X

549

2

901

24

783

23

547

543

552

OKOTOKS

HIGH RIVER

CALGARY

Sh e e p R iver

Hi g

hw

oo

d

Ri v

er

Bo w

R i ve r

EmersonLake

FrankLake

BlizzardLake

DalemeadLake

Heritage Pointe

De Winton

Gladys

Indus

Aldersyde

Blackie

Eltham

Dalemead

Carseland

LEGENDPreferred Transmission Route

Other Transmission Route

Hamlet or Locality

Road

Water Body

Urban Area

Alternate routesThree alternate route segments have been identified. When compared to the preferred route, these alternate route segments typically have:

• a higher residential impact

• a greater impact on future development plans

• a longer line length

• a higher estimated cost

The alternate route segments may be used in conjunction with the preferred route.

HigHway 22x alternate rOute segment

The Highway 22X route provides an alternative to connect to the ENMAX No. 65 Substation by following quarter lines and paralleling Highway 22X.

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

PROPOSEDENMAX#65 SUB

CALGARY

B ow R iv e r

911L

911L

850

AL

911L

850

L

850L

727L

Ran

ge R

oad

284Township Road 22488

Str

eet S

outh

-eas

t

Ran

ge R

oad

283

Ran

ge R

oad

285

A258

A254

A256

A270

A260

UV22X

LEGEND! Point Designation

Preferred Transmission Route

Alternate Transmission Route


Proposed ENMAX Substation

Existing Transmission LineRoad

Water Body

Urban Area

Alternate routesCentre alternate rOute segment

The centre alternate route segment follows quarter lines through agricultural land north of the Bow River.

Frank lake area alternate rOute segment

The Frank Lake area route segment provides an alternative around Frank Lake starting from the proposed Foothills Substation.

ProposedFoothills 237S

Substation Frank Lake

753L

1201

L

Mazeppa

176

Stre

et E

ast

466 Avenue East

160

Stre

et E

ast

144

Stre

et E

ast

240

Stre

et E

ast

224

Stre

et E

ast

498 Avenue East

D12

D8

G10

G20

D15

D9

D20

23

LEGENDProposed Substation

Point Designation




Existing Transmission Line

Hamlet or Locality

Road

Water Body

Bow R

iver

1201

L850L

Township Road 220

Township Road 222

Ran

ge R

oad

281

Ran

ge R

oad

280

Ran

ge R

oad

282

A240B235

B233

B240

A250A242

A253

LEGENDPoint Designation




Existing Transmission Line

Road

Water Body

Urban Area

Eliminated routesnOrtH OF tHe bOw river

Some of the preliminary routes north of the Bow River have been removed from consideration. These route segments were removed due to:

• a greater number of residences that would be closer to a transmission line than they already are

• technical considerations

• greater impacts on future development potential

• a longer line length

• a higher estimated cost

west bOw river

The west Bow River crossing, located at the confluence of the Bow and Highwood River, proposed during our first round of consultation has been removed from consideration. We heard from stakeholders that this area has environmental and historical significance to Albertans and has a high recreational use.

We identified another river crossing location, approximately three kilometres from the preferred crossing, which would span the river valley. The route options to this river crossing location were evaluated as having higher overall impacts than the preferred route. This river crossing location is also located in close proximity to an existing transmission crossing over the bow River.

For these reasons only the preferred route river crossing has been identified.

799

797

2

23

547

2A

22X

552

7

HIGH RIVER

OKOTOKS

CALGARY

13L

812L

851L

924L

927

L

850L

727L

753L

911L

1201

L

727L

158L

Gladys

De Winton

Heritage Pointe

Dalemead

ElthamBlackie

Mazeppa

Aldersyde

Indus

LEGENDPotential Transmission RoutePreviously Considered Transmission RouteExisting Transmission Line

Hamlet or Locality

Road

Water Body

Urban Area

Agricultural• Loss of crops • Reduced efficiency of field operations

Residential

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

Environmental• Alteration of natural areas and

interference with environmentally sensitive areas

Cost• Construction cost and land acquisition costs

Electrical• Reliability and reparability of the line

Visual• Visual impact of structures and lines

as seen from residences and recreational areas

Special considerations• Electrical interference with radio

transmitting stations and other telecommunication equipment etc.

What information do we need from you?The table below describes in detail the type of information we need from you to further refine the preferred and alternate routes.

Landowner compensationeasement aCquisitiOn

• $10,000 per quarter: early access payment to perform environmental surveying and geotechnical work (for the preferred route only)

• $250 to $5,000 per title: entry fee payment (as per the Surface Rights Act)

• $1,500 minimum: general disturbance payment

• $2,500 (titled unit) land damages payment:($2,500 pre-construction; post-construction paid if applicable)

AltaLink 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, all other one-time payments are subject to the AUC’s approval of this project.

ANNUAL STrUCTUrE PAyMENTS (ASPs)

Currently our 2011 rates for this project are:

• $1,178 per structure per year on cultivated land

• $471 per structure per year on uncultivated land

Factors we take into consideration when determining ASPs 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

• overlap of pesticide/herbicide and fertilizer used when farming around the structure

• effects on cultivation

Did you know?The amount of energy used to power home electronics in residences across Canada more than doubled between 1990 and 2007. The majority of Canadian homes have more than one television and more than a quarter of households used at least three sets in 2007. TVs, DVD players and other electronic devices are drawing more and more power from the grid on a continual basis.

Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)

COmmOn questiOns abOut eleCtriCal eFFeCts inClude:

q Will there be TV/radio interference?a There is no impact on cable TV. Other impacts can typically be mitigated.

q Will there be wireless internet interference? a There is typically no impact.

q Will Global Positioning Systems be affected?a There is typically no impact.

q Will there be any affect to cardiac pacemakers?a Most have shielding, but we can provide answers to you about the specific model.

q What about audible noise?a AltaLink adheres to the AUC noise guidelines.

q What about building and fence induction?a This is mitigated through grounding we install during construction.

q What about stray voltage?a This is not caused by transmission lines; it is more typically caused by

distribution lines or local wiring.

ALTALiNk’S PoSiTioN oN 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

Environmental EvaluationAn Environmental Evaluation identifies environmental features within the project area through existing data and field surveys. Additional information is gathered from consultation with provincial and federal regulators, landowners and the public.

This information is used to assist in route development. Potential effects from the project are identified, so that mitigations can be developed to minimize or eliminate these effects.

Information within the Environmental Evaluation typically includes:

• wildlife and vegetation inventories

• wetlands, watercourse and groundwater

• threatened and endangered species identification

• terrain and soil inventories

Thank you for attending our open house.To learn more about this project, please visit www.altalink.ca/fatd, or contact us:

Phone: 1-877-767-4484 (toll free)

Email: [email protected]

North Foothills Transmission Project - Open House Booklet (Nov 2011)

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