AltaLink submitted its application for the controversial $1.1-billion Western Alberta Transmission Line to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), March 1.
The proposed line will run down the west portion of the province, connecting coal-generating electric plants near Edmonton to the Langdon area.
“This transmission line is critical to the reliability of the electricity system,” said Leigh Clarke, AltaLink’s senior vice president of external engagement. “The transmission system connects diverse power sources in the province to the electricity grid: wind, high-efficiency coal, natural gas and others. Connecting a mix of power sources keeps the system reliable and helps keep costs low for Albertans.”
The project’s future is now in the hands of the AUC, which is responsible for reviewing and making a ruling AltaLink application. The application includes preferred and alternate routing, determined after a year-long consultation process that included an estimated 5,000 conversations with affected landowners.
“Those conversations have been very valuable,” said Clarke. “At the end of the day, power lines do have an impact. You have to find the lowest impact, and you can’t do it in a hurry.”
According to Clarke, affected landowners will still have a chance to voice their opposition to the line by presenting their case before the AUC, an independent panel.
Crossfield Mayor Nathan Anderson is frustrated at the announcement. He says AltaLink officials promised him a chance to further discuss a proposed portion of the line, located two miles north of Crossfield, at a hearing in Didsbury, March 3.
“They talk about wanting to listen to people, but then they go ahead and file the application before we even have a chance to finish the hearings,” said Anderson. “The reality is they are trying to fast-track this through before there are any changes in the provincial government. There is a lot of uncertainty out there, so people with multi-billion contracts at stake are going to want to ram them through.”
Anderson said the lines are likely to create development constraints, as they are located in the Town’s projected growth area.
He is also concerned with the potential power rates, which he says may double or triple if the lines go ahead.
“Crossfield is particularly affected, because of our heavy industrial population,” said Anderson. “They are not going to be competitive with overseas markets. People will pull up stakes and go places with lower rates. It will affect every Albertan.”
Clarke said he was familiar with the Town’s concerns but feels they are exaggerated.
“We are almost two miles north of Crossfield,” said Clarke. “I don’t believe that power lines are a barrier to development.”
Clarke added that Chestermere has developed around two similar power lines.
Anderson said he isn’t ready to give up the fight to prevent the lines, which he feels are far bigger than needed.
“They still have to go through a lot of opposition and people are becoming more aware,” said Anderson. “I am hoping through people exercising their right to vote, we will eventually overcome it.”
