Hanna Region Transmission Development:
Hardisty Area
Volume Two: Preferred and alternate routes and the preferred substation site
July 2010
Why are you receiving this newsletter?
Rejected
Substation Site
Option A
HARDISTY
Preferred
Substation Site
Option B
"
)
"
"
")
)
Hardisty
Substation
Upgrade
)
"
13
V
U
Amisk
608
V
U
Tucuman
Substation
Upgrade
³
Ba
t
tle
Ri
ve
r
Hughenden
953L
You are receiving this newsletter because you are a resident,
occupant orSUBSTATION
landowner located near the proposed Hanna Region
SITE
OPTION A
Transmission
Development
(HRTD) project in the Hardisty area.
AltaLink has identified preferred and alternate routes and the
preferred substation site for this project.
This project includes:
• Approximately 25 kilometres (km) of new 240 kilovolt (kV)
transmission line
• Approximately six km of new 138 kV transmission line
• A new substation
• Upgrades to two existing substations
For stakeholders...
...who are on a new proposed route segment, this may be the first information package you have received about
this project. Your input is important to us. Please look on the back of this newsletter for the various ways you can
provide your input.
...who are no longer on a proposed route, you will not receive any further information from us about this project. If
you have any questions or comments, or wish to follow the progress please contact us at the information listed on
the back this newsletter.
Thank you for participating in our consultation process. Your input is important to us.
Who is AltaLink?
AltaLink, Alberta’s largest transmission provider, is actively working with stakeholders to build more than 40
new transmission projects, responding to the province’s growth and ensuring the transmission system will
meet Albertans’ needs today and in the future. Hundreds of kilometres of new, efficient transmission lines will
ensure our customers have access to clean wind-generated power and the lowest-priced electricity Alberta has
to offer. To find out more about AltaLink, or if you have any questions please contact us at 1-877-267-1453.
Electricity. When you need it.
Substation site and routing identification
AltaLink began consultation for this project in March 2010. Through public
consultation, we have received valuable stakeholder input that has helped us
identify the preferred and alternate route options and the preferred substation site.
AltaLink endeavours to find transmission routes and substation sites with the lowest
overall impact. Our selection process included the consideration of stakeholder
input, field work and evaluations of the overall impacts of each route in the
following areas:
• agricultural operations • technical considerations
• residential impact • visual aspects
• environmental review • special constraints
• cost
Substation site
Throughout consultation, stakeholders requested that the proposed transmission facilities be built near the
industrial area in Hardisty. After reviewing the potential transmission line route options, we have identified a parcel
of land near the industrial area in Hardisty with the lowest overall impact, shown as Substation Site B on the map
included with this information package. The transmission line route options leading to Substation Site A would have
greater potential impact than Substation Site B, therefore this site is rejected and no longer under consideration. If
approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission, the substation site will be approximately 200 x 200 metres in size and
will be located at SW 1/4 of 16-42-9 W4M.
The proposed 240/138 kV substation will be called Nilrem 574S and will be similar to the substation pictured below.
As part of this project, the Tucuman Substation, located
at SE 1/4 of 32-42-9 W4M, will have to be upgraded to
accommodate the proposed routing for the new 138 kV
transmission line. The Hardisty Substation will also have
to be upgraded to meet the demand for electricity in the
area. More information about these upgrades can be
found at www.altalink.ca/hanna.
What is the project schedule?
March - August 2010
Notify and consult with stakeholders
November 2010
File application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)
October 2011
Begin project construction if approval is granted by the AUC
June 2012
Complete project construction
The 240 kV transmission line
The preferred and alternate 240 kV routes that have been identified on the map have the
least potential impact on residences, on agricultural farmland and, where possible, parallel
un-opened road allowance as suggested by stakeholders.
Each transmission line option is approximately 25 km long. If approved, it will be built with
steel lattice structures that are approximately 45 to 50 metres high and approximately
20 metres wide. The structures will be placed approximately 350 metres apart. The
transmission line right-of-way (a strip of land that must be kept clear of trees and other
obstacles) will be approximately 50 metres wide. Please refer to the image to the right of a
typical 240 kV tower and the map included in this information package for more details on
the preferred and alternate 240 kV routes.
If approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission, only one route for the proposed 240 kV
transmission line will be built.
The 138 kV transmission line
The preferred 138 kV route has the least potential
impact on residences, on agricultural farmland and
is the most direct route located near the industrial
area. AltaLink is also consulting on an alternate route,
as shown on the map included with this information
package, to gather information and questions or
concerns that we may not currently be aware of.
Each route option is approximately six km long and will be built with single pole
steel structures approximately 17 to 20 metres high and approximately four metres
wide. They will be spaced approximately 120 metres apart. Where the transmission
line is located one metre to the road allowance, no new right-of-way is required and
where the transmission line is located on private property a new 20 metre rightof-way is required. Taller poles spaced further apart may be required to maintain
clearances across Highway 13 and the railway tracks. Please refer to the image to
the left of a typical 138 kV tower and the map included in this information package
for more details of the preferred and alternate 138 kV routes.
If approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission, only one route for the proposed
138 kV transmission line will be built.
.
Electricity. When you need it.
What’s next?
Over the next few weeks, AltaLink representatives will be contacting stakeholders near the preferred and alternate
routes and the preferred substation site to gather input.
If you wish, a one-on-one consultation meeting can be arranged with an AltaLink representative. During the oneon-one process, the AltaLink representative will document the information provided, help answer any questions or
concerns you may have and submit any follow-up request(s). To receive more information or arrange a one-on-one
consultation, please contact us at the information provided on the back of this newsletter.
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) process
AltaLink is scheduled to submit its Facilities Application to the AUC defining its preferred and alternate routes
and substation site location in the winter of 2010. A Facilities Application describes our plans to meet technical
requirements set by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) and provides information on routing, the
environment, costs, project components and schedules, and our participant involvement program.
The AUC reviews all Facilities Applications and may approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Facilities
Application. The length of time for the review process varies for each project, and the AUC ensures interested
parties are given an opportunity to participate in their process. When the AUC deems an application is complete,
a Notice of Application is issued to parties who may be directly and adversely affected by the proposed project.
Typically, a notice is also published in the local newspaper(s). This notice advises the public that a Facilities
Application has been received, how copies of the application may be obtained, and how to access any additional
material filed by parties supporting or opposing the application. For more information about the AUC process,
please visit the AUC website at www.auc.ab.ca.
Enclosed is a copy of the AUC brochure Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications that describes how
you can be involved in the AUC process.
Why is this project needed?
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has determined the transmission system in the Hardisty area needs
to be reinforced to meet the growing demand for electricity in the area. The AESO is an independent, not-forprofit entity responsible for the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnection
Electric System.
The AESO has directed AltaLink to determine potential route and substation site options for this project. This project is
also part of a larger area development, called the Hanna Region Transmission Development (HRTD). The AESO has
identified that Alberta’s electrical grid needs more capacity to integrate the growing interest in wind power generation
as well as meet the growing demand for electricity caused by pipeline development in the area. New transmission
lines and associated developments are required to support this growth and collectively these projects make up HRTD.
What happens during construction?
Depending on where you are in relation to the project you may see or hear:
• Noise and construction crews
• Selective clearing of trees and vegetation along the transmission line right-of-way
• Installation of transmission structures
• Stringing of wires on new transmission structures
• Construction at an existing substation
Throughout the construction process, AltaLink and its contractors will follow all applicable Alberta Environment
legislation and requirements and use appropriate techniques to protect water quality, soil, vegetation and wildlife
habitat. Obtaining access and carrying out activities on private property is done in consultation with the landowner.
Any noise associated with the construction and/or operation of new facilities will comply with the AUC’s Noise Control
Rule 12 and other relevant provincial and municipal noise regulations and standards.
Other projects in the area:
You may have heard about other transmission projects in the area. Some are related to the Hanna Region
Transmission Development (HRTD), while others are part of regular work on our transmission lines and substations.
You may receive further information about these projects if you are a landowner or resident in the area. Please
contact us if you have questions or would like more information about other projects.
Proposed projects in the Hardisty area include:
• A 25 kV breaker addition to the Hardisty 337S Substation
Who can you contact for more information?
To learn more about the proposed project you can contact:
AltaLink’s Community Consultation: 1-888-536-1987 (toll-free)
Email: AltaLinkConsultation@teraenv.com
Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO): 1-888-866-2959 (toll-free)
Email: stakeholder.relations@aeso.ca
Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): 1-780-427-4903
(You can call toll-free by dialing 310-0000 before the number)
Email: utilitiesconcerns@auc.ab.ca
Thank you!
To learn more about AltaLink visit www.altalink.ca. To learn more about this project visit
www.altalink.ca/hanna, or please contact us at the information listed below:
2611 - 3rd Avenue SE
Calgary, Alberta T2A 7W7
www.altalink.ca
Phone: 1-877-267-1453
Included in this Stakeholder Information Package:
•Map illustrating the project area and transmission line route options
and substation option
•Good Neighbours brochure
•A Dialogue on Electric & Magnetic Fields brochure
•Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications