The proposed route for a major electrical transmission line south of Calgary could follow the alignment of an existing transmission line.
Altalink has unveiled a preferred and alternate alignment for the transmission line it says will impact few homes and have less impact than other routes considered.
“We’ve identified two routes that are viable,” said Altalink spokesperson Scott Schreiner. “We have one we prefer, we believe it’s the lowest overall impact route.”
The new line is intended to increase transmission capacity south of Calgary and to carry electricity generated at wind farms in the province’s southwest corner. The project will increase the existing single circuit 240 kV transmission line with a higher capacity double circuit 240 kV line.
The preferred alignment follows, for the most part, the route of an existing power line between High River and Fort Macleod. It runs east of Highway 2 north of Claresholm and on the west side of the highway further south.
The price tag for the new line is estimated at between $400 million to $600 million.
Schreiner said a cost of $500 million would result in an additional 50 cents per month added to the existing utility bill for Albertans.
He said the preferred route has a number of positive points.
It is the shortest route at 135km and estimated to be the lowest cost.
Schreiner said it would impact the lowest number of residences compared to other options. There are approximately 45 additional homes within 800 metres of the route and two homes within 150 metres of the line.
He said it will also have the lowest impact on cultivated land compared to other suggested routes.
The fact it runs parallel to a large section of existing infrastructure is also a plus.
“It doesn’t create a new fragmenting of the landscape,” said Schreiner.
There are some differences between the proposed route and the existing line. The preferred alignment would go around the east side of Claresholm, while the existing one passes close to the town’s west side.
He said they have proposed an alternate route for the Alberta Utilities Commission to consider as well. It would fragment more cultivated land and has a higher impact on environmental features.
The company dropped a more easterly third route from consideration. As well, a section near High River has been removed from consideration because it has more houses within 800 metres compared to other routes and it has a number of river crossings resulting in a longer line.
Altalink will be consulting one-on-one with landowners on or adjacent to either of the proposed routes. The company will then host a series of open houses, scheduled for February and March.
“Right now, we still want people’s input,” said Schreiner. “These are not written in stone by any means. We want people’s input because if there are better routes out there then that’s what we want to hear.”
Once public consultation is completed, the company will apply to the Alberta Utilities Commission for approval.
If approved, Altalink hopes to begin construction sometime in the summer of 2012. He said it could take anywhere from 18 months to two years for the line to be complete and in service.
Once the new route is approved, he said the new power lines will be constructed before the existing lines are be removed.
“There isn’t enough capacity in the system to be able to do it in the other order,” he said. “We need to put the new line in, make sure it’s energized and then we can take the old one out.”
Blackie-area resident Rick Dunsmore said the preferred route won’t mean much difference for him. His home is about two miles east of the route and the existing line can be easily seen from his home.
Dunsmore said it’s probably the best route for people in the area because it follows an existing line most of the way.
“My opinion would be it’s probably the best route for it because they already have the infrastructure in place,” he said.
He was concerned about impacts on his views. As well, he doesn’t want any power lines on his property. His installed a home is off-the electrical grid, in part, for this reason.
Dunsmore is also happy a proposed alignment south of his home is off the company’s preferred route.
For more information on the proposed transmission lines visit www. www.altalink.ca.
