AltaLink is hosting a number of upcoming open houses in the area to garner public input for three projects in Rocky View county.
The North Foothills, Langdon to Janet and Okotoks to Janet projects are part of AltaLink’s proposed Foothills Area Transmission Development.
This development includes upgrades to the existing electric system and new transmission projects in Calgary and the communities south and east of the city.
“These projects will ensure power from new generation plants, including wind power from southern Alberta, is connected to Alberta’s electric grid, maintaining a reliable supply of electricity to support the growth and demand for power in these areas,” said Scott Schreiner, director of consultation and communications at AltaLink.
According to the company, the electric transmission system in the area south and east of Calgary has not had a major update or development since 1985.
Earlier this year, AltaLink conducted open houses and more than 400 individual consultations regarding the North Foothills and Langdon to Janet projects.
The resulting information was used to identify the current preferred and alternate routes, according to an AltaLink press release.
The North Foothills Transmission Project includes a new line from a proposed substation east of High River to a proposed substation in southeast Calgary.
The Langdon to Janet project includes a new transmission line from the Langdon substation, located southwest of Langdon to the Janet substation, east of Calgary.
The Okotoks to Janet project includes removing a line, along with work to existing transmission lines in the area.
Schreiner encourages residents and those affected by the proposed projects to attend the open houses.
“Landowners are in the best position to tell us what might be the least overall impact route for these projects,” said Schreiner.
“The input we collect from landowners helps us to refine our transmission line routes before submitting them to the Alberta Utilities Commission for review.”
An open house for the North Foothills project will take place Nov. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Indus Recreation Centre.
Open houses for the Langdon to Janet project will take place at the Glenmore Inn and Conference Centre in Calgary, Nov. 7, from noon to 4 p.m.; Nov. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Chestermere Lakeside Golf Course; and Nov. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Indus Recreation Centre.
An open house for the Okotoks to Janet project will take place at the Glenmore Inn and Conference Centre in Calgary, Nov. 14, from noon to 4 p.m.
The Alberta Utilities Commission will make the final decisions on routing for the projects once the open houses are completed.
For more information on the Foothills Area Transmission Development, visit www.altalink.ca/fatd
