AltaLink and the Alberta Electric Systems Operator (AESO) presented City council with an overview of the Western Transmission Line project, May 2.
The line, which is proposed to run from Genessee to Langdon, will cross the northern border of Crossfield and end about six miles east of Airdrie. Another line, the East Transmission Line is set to run from Heartland to Brooks.
According to Mark Sears-Gamache of AESO, demand for power in Alberta has doubled in the last 20 years and is expected to double again in the next 20 years.
“We have identified this line as a need since 2004,” he said.
“AESO’s long-term transmission plan has consistently identified the need for this enforcement in the Edmonton to Calgary line. The last major infrastructure build of this kind occurred in the ‘80s and we have all benefited from that. Now is the time to ensure the transmission line will benefit our future generations.”
He said Airdrie’s population is expected to be 86,000 by 2038, will continue to be a hub for business and the need for electricity will continue to grow. Without the new line, the AESO would no longer meet Alberta Reliability Standards on Calgary to Edmonton lines, he added.
AltaLink and AESO were invited to council after Crossfield Mayor Nathan Anderson spoke out against the project, April 4.
“I am not here to build some sort of opposition grounded in false facts,” said Anderson.
“As a Town, we are against Bill 50. This is not a ‘not in my backyard’ syndrome we are suffering from. Our primary concern is on the economic side and how this will affect individual families on their bills. This is not just fear-mongering.”
Leigh Clarke of AltaLink said the consultations for the Western Transmission line began in January and included 23 open houses, 15 information sessions and thousands of one-on-one consultations.
Alderman Allan Hunter said he feels the hearings and open houses held on the subject were moot because the minister of energy already deemed the system critical.
Clarke said AltaLink has taken the feedback from residents into consideration.
“We tried to find the lowest overall impact route,” he said.
“No route has no impact but we believe this is the least amount of impact.”
Anderson disagreed. He said the provincial government needs to step back and ensure there has been an adequate needs assessment and decide if coal is the best power source for Alberta.
“We don’t feel we need such an extensive build. I would like to see the needs assessment done properly. It can be cumbersome but it is there to protect the people of Alberta,” he said.
“Coal has been a good provider of energy for a long time but it does not seem to be the way of the future. I have questions about what will power these lines in years down the road.”
Hunter asked who will be paying the $1.4 billion for the power lines and who will benefit from them.
“All costs will be recouped from the customers,” said Clarke.
“We will provide this service to Alberta and if an exporter uses them, they will pay a charge to help bring down the cost for Albertans. The cost is spread out over the lifetime of the line. You are not paying $1.4 billion all at once.”
Hunter said he is concerned about the controversy surrounding the project.
“We are being told we have to build a line and we have to pay for it and because it is a private enterprise, someone else gets to own it. Wouldn’t it be great to use the seven to nine per cent return on investment to build hospitals and schools that our government can’t afford?” he asked.
Alderman Kelly Hegg asked if there was ever an alternative plan.
“In your minds, can you honestly say this is the best alternative and only option we have?” he asked.
“Yes, this system is thirty-something years old and the new system is required for capacity and reliability and also to replace that line,” said Sears-Gamache.
Alderman Glenda Alexander said residents need to remember the current lines are old and won’t last forever.
“When we share the cost with all consumers, it is small in comparison and we depend on that electricity,” she said.
AltaLink has submitted an application for the Western Transmission Line to the Alberta Utilities Commission and Clarke said he expects to hear back by November at the latest.
