April 2009
What is the Proposed Heartland
Transmission Project?
The proposed Heartland Transmission Project (the
project) involves the construction of a high voltage
transmission line, which will connect the Heartland
region (northeast of Fort Saskatchewan) to existing
transmission facilities either west of Edmonton or
in southern Edmonton. AltaLink and EPCOR, the
Heartland Project Team, are working together in the
project’s development.
The project is the result of planning by the Alberta
Electric System Operator (AESO), Alberta’s
independent, not-for-profit transmission system
planner. The AESO has forecast a major increase in
the demand for electricity in the Heartland region
due to residential, commercial and industrial growth.
For more information about the AESO and the need
for this project please visit the transmission page on
the AESO’s website at www.aeso.ca.
To learn more about the project, or obtain a copy
of the September 2008, January 2009 or February
2009 project newsletters, please visit the project
website at www.heartlandtransmission.ca. If you do
not have access to the Internet, please call our
toll free number at 1-888-441-7192 to obtain
further information.
Volume 1 No. 3
Project Information
We are sending this package to you because you are a landowner,
occupant or resident of property near one of the potential route
locations* of the Heartland Transmission project. The Alberta
Utilities Commission (AUC) requires that stakeholders within 800
metres of a potential route location be notified. Stakeholders further
than 800 metres from a potential route location who are interested in
receiving project updates are welcome to contact us and be added to
our distribution list.
This package is intended to keep you informed of the Heartland
Project Team’s progress in identifying potential route locations
for the proposed transmission line. It is important to note that
the project team is still in the process of selecting preferred and
alternative route locations for the transmission line. Once this work
is complete, the project team will apply to the Alberta Utilities
Commission (AUC) with preferred and alternative routes. If the
project is approved, only one route for the transmission line will be
selected by the AUC for construction.
This newsletter includes technical information about the project,
scheduling information, and a discussion of our next steps. We have
also provided information on how you can obtain further details
about the project and potential route locations, and provide us with
your input. In addition to this newsletter, this package includes:
•
An Overview Study Area Map that shows the four potential
route paths currently being reviewed for the project team’s
application for the construction of one transmission line;
•
Detailed area map(s) to provide further details of the route
location in relation to your property;
•
A sample Consultation Form;
•
An Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) brochure; and
•
A review of Heartland Transmisson Project considerations.
*A glossary of power industry terms is included at the end of this
newsletter. Words in italics can be found in the glossary.
communities and stakeholders. We will then submit a Facility
Application (FA) with these preferred and alternative routes to
the AUC. The AUC will consider the routes, including feedback
from stakeholders, and determine whether to approve the
construction and operation of one route for the transmission
line. The transmission line will ultimately be constructed along
the one route approved by the AUC.
In the coming months, we will launch the next phase of
public consultation, which will include door-to-door visits,
information centres and open houses. The next phase of
consultation will present stakeholders with additional
opportunities to provide further input to the project team.
More information is provided under Next Steps. If you would
like to contact us directly, the necessary information is at the
end of this newsletter.
How the potential route locations were identified
What we’ve done to date
The potential route locations were identified based on evaluating
available information to determine constraints, the number
of residences in an area and input received during preliminary
consultation with stakeholders. The potential route locations
were chosen with a view to reducing the overall impacts of the
transmission line.
Potential route locations
To date, the project team has identified potential transmission
route locations as shown on the Overall Study Area map
included with this newsletter. In the end, only one route will be
required for the project. It is important to note that preferred
and alternative routes have not yet been selected.
The process began with the AESO reviewing various options to
transport power from the transmission system in the Keephills/
Wabamun area (west of Edmonton) to the Heartland region
(northeast of Fort Saskatchewan). Through a review of land,
technical and cost factors, as well as input gathered from a series
of stakeholder consultation activities, the AESO identified two
potential options to meet the need for additional electricity
supply in the Heartland region and the need to reinforce the
Alberta Interconnected Electric System. The options involved
the construction of a new transmission line to be generally
located in one of the following areas of consideration:
The project team will work to study and refine the potential
route locations further with the goal of identifying the route
with the least overall impact. The project team’s efforts will
include further public consultation and additional geographic,
environmental and technical studies. New potential route
locations may also be identified through the process.
When this work is complete and we identify our preferred and
alternative routes, we will provide details to the neighbouring
•
West side of Edmonton, in the Transportation/Utility
Corridor (TUC) and/or outside the TUC; and
•
East side of Edmonton, in the TUC and/or outside the TUC.
The AESO then directed AltaLink and EPCOR to identify and
analyze potential routes for the two options.
In response, the project team began consultation activities to
gather input on what factors stakeholders believe are important
to consider when identifying potential route locations. We held
Community Advisory Task Groups (CATGs) with individuals
randomly selected from the Capital Region to participate in a
discussion and invited stakeholders to visit the project website
to complete our Internet survey. We also received input through
personal meetings, telephone calls, e-mails and letters.
2
Reducing residential, agricultural and environmental impacts
while managing project costs are many of the factors that
stakeholders told us were important to them in identifying
potential route locations. Under AUC Rule 007, in identifying
and evaluating potential locations of transmission projects, the
AESO and the project team had regard for the following major
aspects as they relate to each potential location: agricultural
impact, residential impact, environmental impact, cost, electrical
considerations, visual impact and special constraints (further
information can be found in AUC Rule 007, Section 6 at
www.auc.ab.ca).
transmission line, northeast of Fort Saskatchewan. Please refer
to the Overall Study Area Map to find the potential substation
locations. The locations are highlighted by this icon:
In the coming months, landowners, occupants or residents of
property near the potential substation locations will receive
further information from the project team.
Technical Information continued on page 4
A desk top study was undertaken by the project team to collect
area-specific information relevant to the AESO’s two options,
including geographic features. Constraints were identified such
as environmentally significant areas and airport setbacks.
Proposed project timeline
Activity
Timeframe
Based on the two options provided by the AESO, the project team
identified four potential route paths for the transmission line:
2009
Project update on consultation newsletter
January
•
West of Edmonton (blue on the maps);
Project update on routing newsletter
February/March
•
The Transportation/Utility Corridor (TUC) on the west
side of Edmonton (orange on the maps);
Project package for stakeholders near the
potential route locations
April/May
Personal consultation
April to November
•
The TUC on the east side of Edmonton (green on the
maps); and
Information centres
Opening April
Project update newsletter
Summer
East of Edmonton (pink on the maps).
Open Houses (two rounds)
Late Spring & Late Fall
Project update newsletter
Fall
Heartland project team submit Facility
Application to AUC
Late 2009/early 2010
AUC review
2010
•
NOTE: North of Edmonton there is a grid where many of the
potential route locations overlap. As further consultation and route
evaluations are done, preferred and alternative routes will emerge.
2010 - 2013
Technical Information
Substation sites
Substations are the connection point between high-voltage
transmission lines and the distribution systems found in your
community. When power passes through a substation its voltage
is reduced so it can be transported to homes and businesses.
*Permit and License issued
Late 2010
*Construction
Late 2010 to Early 2013
*In-service
Spring 2013
*These steps will only occur if the Facility Application is
approved by the AUC. Public consultation, involving potentially
affected stakeholders, is a significant step in the identification
and evaluation of potential routes for the transmission line and
the development of the Facility Application. If the AUC approves
the project, consultation will continue beyond the application
process into the construction and operational phases.
The Heartland Transmission Project will require the
development of a substation at the finish-point of the
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Transmission structures
The proposed double circuit 500 kV support
structure to be used in the Heartland
Transmission Project is pictured top-right. These
structures would be located along the Right-ofWay at typically 365 metre (1198 foot) intervals.
The width of the proposed Right-of-Way is
approximately 70-80 metres (or 230-262 feet).
The illustration below shows a comparison of
the proposed structure to a double circuit 240 kV
transmission support structure and a single
circuit 500 kV transmission support structure
that are used today in the Capital Region.
Proposed typical double circuit 500 kV structure.
Proposed typical double circuit 500 kV structure.
Double circuit 240 kV transmission towers
representative in the Edmonton area.
4
Single circuit 500 kV transmission towers
representative in the Edmonton area.
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Proposed Transmission Line Route Paths
28
(only one route will be selected)
643
28
FINISH POINT
825
28A
642
Morinville
A. West of Edmonton (blue)
28
B. The Transportation/Utility Corridor
on the west side of Edmonton (orange)
44
2
C. East of Edmonton (pink)
15
37
37
Fort Saskatchewan
15
21
633
167 Ave.
97 Street
il
Tra
16
rt
Fo
West Edmonton
Stony Plain Rd.
50 Street
75 Street
Wye Rd.
South East Edmonton
23 Ave.
23 Ave.
Anthony Henday
Anthony Henday Dr.
Twp Rd 522 Dr
South West
Edmonton
34 Street
Terw
illeg
ar D
r.
Whitemud
et
1202L - Existing 1202L
Transmission Line (purple)
Sherwood
Park
Whyte Ave.
66 Stre
628
Baseline Road
Jasper Ave.
Calgary Trail
Stony Plain
Central
Edmonton
Anthony Henday Dr.
16A
.
Rd
Range Rd 222
rt
137 Ave.
50 Street
lbe
.A
North East Edmonton
Yellowhead Trail
Spruce Grove
Manning
Dr.
St. Albert
St
Multi-coloured lines represent potential
route locations that overlap
FAR WEST
WEST TUC
FAR EAST
EAST TUC
1202 L
Castle Downs Rd.
D. The Transportation/Utility Corridor on
the east side of Edmonton (green)
21
14
Ellerslie Rd
START POINT
Other projects in the area
AltaLink and EPCOR want to keep you informed of other proposed transmission
and distribution projects that may be occurring in your area. A separate
consultation will occur for each project, and include project contact information.
Project Name
Location/End Points
Description
Company Status
Summerside Substation and
Transmission Pole Structure
In the TUC at approximately 83 Street and
2nd Ave (south of the Anthony Henday
Drive, near Ellerslie) in Edmonton.
Construction of a new substation.
Installation of a new transmission
pole structure.
EPCOR and
AltaLink
AUC descision
pending
1202 Line Energization
Ellerslie (south Edmonton) to Keephills
(Wabamun).
Existing transmission line will be
upgraded from 240 kV to 500 kV
AltaLink
Final stages of public consultation
Existing Transmission Line
Reconfiguration
Ellerslie to Cloverbar (east Edmonton).
Reconfiguration of existing
AltaLink
transmission lines and energization
of presently decommissioned lines.
Edmonton Region 240kV
Line Upgrades
Increase the capacity of several
Petrolia (south Edmonton) and Jasper
EPCOR and
(west Edmonton) substations to Keephills. 240 kV transmission lines in the
AltaLink
Keephills / Sundance / Wabamum /
area and Jackfish lake area.
Spruce Grove / Edmonton area
including a new 14 km double
circuit 240 kV transmission line from
Jackfish Lake area to Keephills area.
Public consultation to
begin in spring 2009
New Transmission Lines
for Upgraders
Upgrader area near Fort Saskatchewan
(Heartland Region).
New transmission lines and
substations to supply upgrader
development.
AltaLink
Preliminary stages
of planning
NE Alberta Development to
Fort McMurray
Heartland region to Fort McMurray area.
New transmission lines to
accommodate industrial growth
and power generation.
AESO
Preliminary stages
of planning
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AUC descision
pending
Next steps - how you can provide input
Your input is important to us. Our next phase of public consultation will
be launched in April and will include:
Door-to-door visits and direct phone calls – beginning in
April 2009
In urban areas, project team members will directly contact (either
by phone or visit) stakeholders within the first row of houses next to
a potential route location. In rural areas, we will contact (either by
phone or visit) stakeholders whose property is on or beside a potential
route location. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to share their
comments, suggestions and ask questions with a project team member
one-on-one. Project team members can also be contacted directly at
1-888-441-7192. We will begin this personal consultation in April.
Information centres will be opening April 21, 2009.
Locations and an initial schedule are shown below.
Location
Address
Spruce Grove
Spruce Grove Public Library
35 5th Avenue
Tues, Thurs - noon - 8p.m.
Wed, Fri - 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Sat - 10 a.m. - 2p.m.
Closed Sun, Mon
Morinville
Tues, Thurs - noon - 8p.m.
Wed, Fri - 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Sat - 11 a.m. - 3p.m.*
Closed Sun, Mon
In this package you will find a sample consultation form. The form will
help prepare you for your conversation with our project team members.
West Edmonton
Information centres
There will be information centres set up in communities across the
Capital Region to provide stakeholders additional opportunities to meet
with project team members at convenient locations and times.
Information centres will be opening April 21, 2009. Locations and an
initial schedule are shown to the right.
Millwoods
•
Discuss the project with members of the project team and
the AESO.
Sherwood Park
Fort Saskatchewan
We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide
their input.
Sherwood Business Centre
Suite 15
2016 Sherwood Drive
(Lower level Franklin’s Inn)
Tues, Thurs - noon - 8p.m.
Wed, Fri - 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Sat - 10 a.m. - 2p.m.
Closed Sun, Mon
Open houses will be held in late spring. Dates, times and locations
will be advertised and notices will be distributed to communities near
potential route locations.
Your comments and suggestions are important to us. Contact
information is provided at the end of this newsletter.
Best Western Cedar Park Inn
5116 Gateway Blvd.
Tues, Thurs - noon - 8p.m.
Wed, Fri - 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Sat - 10 a.m. - 2p.m.
Closed Sun, Mon
Following the start of the door-to-door visits and phone calls, we will
host open houses in communities across the Capital Region. These
sessions will allow stakeholders to:
Receive information on the project; and
Best Western Westwood Inn
18035 Stony Plain Rd
EPCOR room
Tues, Thurs - noon - 8p.m.
Wed, Fri - 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Sat - 10 a.m. - 2p.m.
Closed Sun, Mon
Open houses
•
Musee Morinville Museum
North of 100 Ave on 101 St
Super 8 Hotel
8750-84 Street
Boardroom
Tues, Thurs - noon - 8p.m.
Wed, Fri - 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Sat - 10 a.m. - 2p.m.
Closed Sun, Mon
* Note - Morinville Saturday hours differ from other centres.
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Glossary of Terms
Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO): The AESO is the 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 projects in Alberta.
Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): The AUC is an independent, quasi-judicial agency of the Government of Alberta
responsible for ensuring that the delivery of Alberta’s utility services takes place in a manner that is fair, responsible and
in the public interest. The AUC ensures that electric facilities are built, operated, and decommissioned in an efficient and
environmentally responsible way. AltaLink and EPCOR, the Heartland Project Team, must file an application with the AUC to
obtain approval to construct and operate the Heartland Transmission Project.
AUC Rule 007: A rule administered by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) that specifies the information requirements and
describes the application filing process for alterations to or proposals to construct new power plants, substations and transmission lines.
Constraints: Obstacles, either structural or geographical, in a specific area or areas which represent potentially higher impact
that should be avoided by a transmission line.
Desk top study: Involves the analysis of information gathered from such sources as literature, data bases, maps and previous
studies. The types of information gathered include: environmentally significant areas, landscape and geographic information,
residential areas, legal limitations, municipal infrastructure and other possible challenges, obstacles and opportunities that exist
in different geographic areas. This information is used to identify potential route locations with the least overall impact.
Distribution system: A system of electric distribution wires that supply electricity to consumers. Distribution wires are
energized at 25 kV or less.
Kilovolt (kV): Equal to one thousand volts. This unit of measurement is most commonly used when describing transmission and
distribution lines. Distribution and transmission lines in Alberta carry between 4 kV (4,000 volts) and 500 kV (500,000 volts).
Facility application (FA): This is the application that the Heartland Project Team will be submitting to the Alberta Utilities
Commission for approval to construct and operate the transmission line. The facility application will include information such
as technical details, consultation feedback, cost, environmental studies, proposed project schedules and routing options.
High voltage transmission line: High voltage electric transmission wires that carry electricity from one point to another. The
term includes all support structures and other equipment associated with the wires. For the Heartland Transmission Project
double circuit 500kV high voltage towers are proposed.
Major aspects: A set of criteria described in AUC Rule 007 which the Heartland Project Team considers in identifying and
evaluating potential transmission line locations.
Public consultation: A process that allows anyone potentially affected by a particular project to become informed and to ask
questions and have them answered, raise concerns and have them addressed, and provide input into the project and have their
voices heard.
Quarter lines: A legal boundary which divides a one mile by one mile section of rural land into quarters. Each quarter section is
1/2 mile by 1/2 mile in size.
Right-of-Way: A strip of land acquired for the construction and operation of a transmission line.
Route location: A proposed centerline that will be further examined for routing a transmission line. If approved, only one route
will be selected by the AUC for construction.
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Glossary of Terms - continued
Route path: The four general geographic options indicated on the map: west of Edmonton, west TUC, east TUC and east of
Edmonton. In each route path are potentially hundreds of route options which could eventually lead to preferred and alternate routes.
Setback: An area that will restrict the construction or development of a transmission line. An airport has a setback.
Stakeholder: Any individual, organization, group or business that is potentially directly and adversely affected by the Heartland
Transmission Project. Landowners, occupants and residents which may be affected by a potential route location.
Substation: Substations are the connection point between high-voltage transmission lines and the distribution system found in
your community. When power passes through a substation, its voltage is reduced so it can be transported to you through the
distribution system.
Transportation / Utility Corridor (TUC): In the
1970s, the Government of Alberta designated
specific land around the cities of Edmonton and
Calgary for future infrastructure such as ring roads,
major utilities and pipelines, storm water
management facilities and municipal services.
For more information about the TUC, please visit
the Buildings and Land section of the Alberta
Infrastructure website at
www.infrastructure.alberta.ca.
Guiding principles of stakeholder
consultation
The project team’s stakeholder consultation program
is based on the following principles:
•
Building ongoing relationships with community citizens
through effective consultation, and proactive, open and
honest communication.
•
Ensuring community consultations and dialogue are
guided by input received from stakeholders.
•
Listening to and learning from the community on an
ongoing basis.
•
Maximizing the benefits of EPCOR’s and AltaLink’s
operations to the community by working together
where possible.
Heartland Transmission Project
P.O. Box 1547 Edmonton AB T5J 2T6
•
Toll-free: 1-888-441-7192
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.heartlandtransmission.ca
Effectively addressing community questions, interests,
priorities and concerns, and engaging those potentially
impacted by the project in a timely manner.
•
Utilizing stakeholder feedback when making project
decisions, where possible and appropriate.
•
Providing open, suitable communication lines
and accessibility to Heartland Transmisson Project
information, and actively encouraging feedback.
•
Monitoring progress and results, and identifying
opportunities for continuous improvement of the
consultation process as it unfolds.
•
Meeting or exceeding all applicable regulatory
requirements.
Voltage: A unit of electric pressure.
Contact Us
For more information about the Heartland
Transmission Project, to provide us with your
feedback, to be added to our distribution list,
or to meet with us in person, please contact:
Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX
Like you, EPCOR and AltaLink care
about the environment and its resources.
That’s why we print on FSC paper.
EPCOR and AltaLink respect your right to privacy. Any personal information
we collect about you including your name, address, phone number and
email address, will only be used in regards to the Heartland Transmission
Project. For further information, please see EPCOR’s Privacy Policy at
www.epcor.ca and AltaLink’s Privacy Policy at www.altalink.ca.
8