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The information you are providing to AltaLink is required by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) as part of the Participant Involvement Program and public consultation requirements and may be used by AltaLink in making an application to the AUC for the Transmission Project named in this document. This information may be disclosed to the AUC and, as a result, may become public. AltaLink will not rent or sell your personal information to any third party but may share your information with other persons, and in particular, may provide your personal information to the Alberta Electric System Operator or other electric facility owners, who reasonably require the use of your personal information for similar Participant Involvement Programs related to the same Transmission Project. If the Transmission Project is approved, then AltaLink may also use the information collected to manage the construction or future maintenance and operation of the Transmission Project. Information held by AltaLink will be protected in accordance with AltaLink’s privacy policies. If you have any questions, please call 1-877-267-1453. AltaLink Stakeholder Information September 9, 2008 www.altalink.ca Stakeholder Information Brochure Brooks transmission line development & substation upgrade The proposed project AltaLink has been directed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) to build a transmission line and upgrade an existing substation in the Brooks area. AltaLink is the Transmission Facility Owner (TFO) in the area and is responsible for finding a suitable location for the proposed transmission line. How am I affected? You are receiving this brochure because you are a landowner or resident located near the proposed project. Please refer to the map found in this package to see where the project is relative to your property. AltaLink is committed to sharing information about its projects and working with the public to ensure stakeholder input and concerns are heard, understood and addressed. Typical questions and answers regarding transmission lines can be found in the brochures included with this package. An AltaLink representative will be contacting all landowners within 800 metres of the proposed transmission line. AltaLink is also holding an open house to discuss the project, gather feedback and address questions and concerns. Date: October 22, 2008 Time: 2 – 8 p.m. Place: Heritage Inn 1217 2nd Street West Advertisements will be placed in local newspapers notifying residents of the open house. Why is this project needed? The AESO has completed a development plan for transmission reinforcement to meet the urgent needs of customer load growth in southeast Alberta. The Brooks transmission line development and substation upgrade are part of this plan and will help meet the power needs in the area. Key players Who is AltaLink? AltaLink is an independent company that owns and operates approximately 11,600 kilometres of transmission lines and approximately 260 substations. We provide electric service to more than 85 per cent of Albertans and own and operate the majority of the transmission system in central and southern Alberta. Who is the 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. Who is the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)? The AUC is an independent, quasi-judicial agency of the Government of Alberta that is responsible to ensure that the delivery of Alberta’s utility services take place in a manner that is fair, responsible and in the public interest. AltaLink must file an application with the AUC to obtain approval to construct and operate any transmission project. Glossary of terms Substation: Substations are the connection point between high-voltage transmission lines and the lower voltage distribution lines found in your community. When power passes through a substation its voltage is reduced so it can be transported to you. Transmission: Transmission lines connect the power produced at generating facilities to substations. Over long distances it is most effective to transport electricity at high voltages. AltaLink’s lines range from 69 to 500 kV. Kilovolt (kV): A kilovolt is 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 and 500 kV (500,000 volts). Circuit: A circuit is a group of wires electricity flows through. AltaLink lines can be single or double circuit. A single circuit line has three wires and a double circuit line has six. A transmission line may also have one or two shield wires on the top of the structures to protect the line from lightning. Transformer: A transformer is the device in a substation that steps voltage up or down. Termination: A termination is the point where a power line ends and connects to a substation. Understanding Transmission Proposed Project Schedule Transmission Line September-December 2008 Consultation with stakeholders January 2009 Application filing to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Mid August 2009 Construction start, pending approval from the AUC December 2009 In-Service Date Substation Upgrade September-December 2008 Notification to stakeholders January 2009 Application filing to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) March 2009 Construction start, pending approval from the AUC May 2009 In-Service Date Proposed project details Transmission line: The proposed transmission line is called 666L. It is approximately 12.2 kilometres of single pole, single circuit, 138 kV line connecting the West Brooks 28S substation to the existing 100L transmission line and the Tilley 498S substation. For the most part, the transmission line would be located one metre within road allowance boundaries. Please see the image to the left to view the proposed structure type. AltaLink has identified a possible location for the proposed transmission line (666L) as indicated on the map included with this brochure. Siting considerations for transmission lines vary from project to project. The proposed transmission line location in this brochure is the result of AltaLink’s assessment of the environmental, engineering, land-use, social and economic variables. Substation: The substation is called West Brooks 28S. The substation upgrades include replacing existing transformers and upgrading the existing line terminations at the substation. All work to be done is within land owned by AltaLink. Environmental and land-use considerations AltaLink is committed to reducing environmental and land-use impacts. Alberta Environment’s guidelines will be followed during the preparation and construction of the substation. AltaLink will ensure its contractors use environmentally appropriate techniques to protect topsoil and subsoil structures and use appropriate equipment to minimize compaction and rutting. For more information Over the next few weeks an AltaLink representative will be contacting landowners within 800 metres (one half mile) of the proposed transmission line. Your comments will be incorporated into AltaLink’s facility application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). AltaLink would appreciate the opportunity to respond to your questions and concerns prior to filing the application. You can also contact us by calling 1-877-267-1453 or e-mail [email protected]. AltaLink will be available for on-going discussions about this project. This brochure can also be found at the AltaLink website www.altalink.ca. If you have questions regarding the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) process, please contact the AESO at 1-888-866-2959. If you have any questions regarding the Alberta Utilities Commission Application process, please contact the AUC at (780) 427-4903. EDMONTON RED DEER CALGARY LETHBRIDGE
