Beartrap Project Update

August 2012
Beartrap Substation Transmission Project
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Consultation activities in the central east region of Alberta
began in March 2012, when we distributed information
about the Beartrap Substation Transmission Project to
landowners, occupants, agencies and interested parties,
and invited their feedback. A copy of this information is
available on our website or by contacting us (please see
page four).
An open house was held on March 13, 2012 at the
Ardmore Community Hall. This was followed by personal
consultations with individuals located in the vicinity of
the preliminary route options. Feedback obtained during
consultations combined with results of field studies and
other information about the routes was used to identify the
two selected routes (east and west) for the transmission
project.
Detailed project maps identifying the selected routes are
enclosed. The route that was rejected as a result of our
consultation process is also displayed.
Beartrap Substation Transmission Project
Following extensive consultation with landowners,
occupants, residents, agencies and other interested parties,
ATCO Electric has identified two selected route options
(East and West) for the Beartrap Substation Transmission
Project. Only one of the routes will be chosen and
constructed.
In this update you can learn about:
•
•
•
•
How the routes were selected
Locations of the East and West route options
Routing constraints and challenges
Next steps in the consultation process
How were the routes selected?
ATCO Electric was directed by the Alberta Electric
System Operator (AESO) to prepare a facility proposal
for the new development. As part of the facilities
application process, ATCO Electric assessed site and
route options for these facilities.
ATCO Electric identified a set of preliminary options for
the project after studying available land-use information
gathered from maps, aerial photos, field visits and
meetings with agencies. Locations were chosen in an
effort to minimize impacts on residences, agriculture,
built-up areas, industrial operations, roads and highways
and environmentally sensitive areas.
Preliminary options for the transmission line were
subjected to extensive consultation to assess potential
impacts on landowners, occupants, and interested
parties. The results of consultations, field studies and
additional information were compiled to identify the
options with the least overall impacts.
1
Project Overview
The project will involve the construction of up to
22 kilometres (km) of new 144 kilovolt (kV) transmission
line. The line will run from the new Beartrap substation
and will connect to an existing transmission line (7L24).
The new substation will also include a new 46 m
telecommunication tower.
The East and West routes are highlighted on the enclosed
maps. The route that was rejected as a result of our
consultation process is also displayed.
Routing Constraints and Challenges
Land features and land use in the project area had a
significant influence on where preliminary route options
were located.
The project area is predominantly rural and land use
is primarily agriculture cultivation, grazing pasture and
acreage development. Portions of the area are densely
populated with many residences.
Route options were identified in an effort to minimize
impacts on people and agriculture. Other constraints on
route selection were wetlands, lakes, sensitive streams and
wildlife areas.
Intensive oil and gas activity occurs throughout the area,
including many well sites and pipelines. ATCO Electric is
required to maintain industry-established offsets to avoid
impacts on these operations.
Beartrap Substation Transmission Project
Impact of Feedback on Route Selection
Concerns and issues identified during consultations with
landowners, residents, occupants and interested parties are
extremely important to us. Consultation feedback was used
in combination with other information to assess the impacts
of each preliminary route option.
Some of the concerns raised during consultations can be
mitigated while others cannot. We assess the nature of the
concern, the specific circumstances involved, and our ability
to mitigate and respond to the associated impacts. This
assessment is combined with other information to select
route options with the least overall impact.
To date, a variety of concerns have been identified, but the
majority of these can be grouped into two broad categories:
impacts on residences and impacts on agricultural
operations.
Impacts on Residences
Preliminary route options were developed in an effort to
avoid homes. One-on-one consultations on these routes
were used to identify any concerns related to residences
during the route selection process. As a result of this
feedback, the preliminary routes were adjusted in specific
locations to balance residential impacts and other potential
impacts identified in the area.
Impacts on Agricultural Operations
ATCO Electric makes every effort to coordinate our
activities with agricultural operations to minimize any
impacts. In cultivated areas, the line will be located so that
it follows the edge of fields wherever possible, in order to
minimize the area removed from production and the need
to work around structures. Where this is not possible,
ATCO Electric’s compensation is designed to reimburse
landowners for inconvenience, and loss of production, due
to the presence of structures.
2
Access Trails and Temporary Workspace
Access trails are required in areas where terrain conditions
or the locations of wetlands make driving along the rightof-way impractical. In some situations, access trails will
be temporary. Permanent access trails may be needed for
ongoing maintenance in some areas.
In addition, temporary workspace will be required along the
edge of the right-of-way and in other selected locations.
This workspace will be used to install the structures and
string the transmission line.
A six metre (m) wide strip of temporary workspace will be
required directly adjacent to each side of the right-of-way
for its entire length. In the case of a right-of-way along a
road allowance, temporary workspace will only be required
along one side.
At corners or locations where the line bends, additional
areas will be required to string the transmission line and
accommodate the movement of equipment. At corners,
temporary workspace areas roughly 80 m by 30 m in size
will be required on each outer-edge of the corner. These
two areas will be positioned perpendicular to the right-ofway. Additional workspace will be required on the inneredge of corners and will cover a triangular area roughly
15 m by 15 m by 21 m.
Temporary and permanent access trails will be
approximately 8 m to 15 m wide. The exact locations of all
access trails, temporary workspace and structures have yet
to be determined, and all dimensions may vary with final
plans.
What are the next steps in the
consultation process?
If you have an interest in lands located on or beside,
either the East or West routes, you will be contacted by
an ATCO Electric representative to discuss questions or
concerns about the project, and provide input.
This second round of personal consultations will begin
in September 2012. During these meetings, an ATCO
Electric representative will provide specific details about
the design specification, preferred right-of-way location
and construction methods. Feedback will be used to refine
the routes to further reduce potential impacts. Route
refinements typically involve localized adjustments
to the line location or position of structures in
response to newly identified concerns and constraints.
If you are not in the vicinity of selected routes, you will
not be contacted during our second round of personal
consultations. Project updates are available on the
ATCO Electric website and you can reach us by phone
or e-mail if you would like additional information (please see
our contact information on page four).
When consultations have been completed and the
routes have been finalized, ATCO Electric will submit
a facilities application to the Alberta Utilities
Commission to obtain approval for the construction
and operation of the proposed facilities. For more
information about how you can participate in the
process, please see the enclosed brochure entitled
Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications.
Landowners will be compensated for access trails and
temporary workspace located outside of the boundaries
of the right-of-way. Arrangements for access trails and
temporary workspace will be negotiated with landowners
individually.
Beartrap Substation Transmission Project
3
ATCO Electric
Updated Timeline*
March - September 2012
Consultation with landholders, agencies and other
interested parties
September 2012
Submission of the facilities application to the Alberta Utilities
Commission (AUC)
May 2013
If approval is granted, construction will commence
October 2013
Facilities completed and operating
Albertans count on us for the safe, reliable and costeffective delivery of electricity to their homes, farms and
businesses. We have delivered electricity to Albertans for
85 years. Headquartered in Edmonton, ATCO Electric has
38 service offices serving nearly two-thirds of the province
in northern and east-central Alberta.
We help keep the lights on across the province by building,
operating and maintaining approximately 72,000 kilometres
of transmission and distribution power lines. We also
operate an additional 10,000 kilometres of distribution
power lines on behalf of Rural Electrification Associations.
We are committed to responsible development and
environmental practices. We conduct an open and
transparent consultation process, carefully considering the
impacts to landowners, communities and the environment.
*Timing may be adjusted to reflect final plans.
Contact Us
Your comments and concerns are important to us. Please
contact us toll free: 1-855-420-5775 or direct:
Wes Caldwell, Project Planner
ATCO Electric
10035-105 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 2V6
Phone: Fax: E-mail:
Website:
780-733-2700
780-420-5030
[email protected]
www.atcoelectric.com
Beartrap Substation Transmission Project
4
REPLY FORM
BEARTRAP SUBSTATION TRANSMISSION PROJECT
10035 – 105 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2V6
CONTACT INFORMATION
Date (DD/MM/YYYY):
First Name:
Please help us identify new contacts
Last Name:
Company/Organization Name (if applicable):
Mailing Address:
You were contacted about this project because ATCO Electric
identified you or your company/organization as having a land interest
in the vicinity of the project. Is there anyone else associated with your
property, such as other owners, renters or occupants, who we should
also contact? If so, please provide the name(s) and contact
information below:
City/Town:
Province:
Postal Code:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Business Phone:
Fax:
I would like to receive all future correspondence about this project by Email
(If this is your preference, please check the box)
Email:
ABOUT PRIVACY: The information on this form is being collected to help identify potential concerns with proposed alterations and the location of proposed
power transmission facilities, to facilitate communications about the project, and to comply with our obligations to the Alberta Utilities Commission. This
information may be provided to the Alberta Utilities Commission, other electric facility owners or the Surface Rights Board. Information relating to the need for the
facilities may be provided to the Alberta Electric System Operator. Enquiries or concerns about ATCO Electric's privacy policies can be directed to Tony
Melnychuk, privacy officer (address above), phone 780-420-4466.
Please list any residences, buildings or other areas on your property that should be avoided:
I am not aware of any residences, buildings, facilities, or areas on my property that should be avoided (If this statement applies to you, please check the box)
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
(If you require additional space, please attach a separate sheet)
Please share any comments or concerns that you have about the project:
HOW TO SUBMIT: Please use the enclosed envelope to return by mail or fax to 780-420-5030. If you would like more information about the project, please
contact us toll free 1-855-420-5775 or by Email: [email protected].
RGE. RD.
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Township Road 614
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WEST ROUTE
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Range Road 442A
Range Road 444
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Township Road 605
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Range Road 440
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C13
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C14
B16
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B18
Township Road 604
BEARTRAP LAKE
A17
PROPOSED 940S
BEARTRAP SUBSTATION
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LEGEND
Reference Point
Primary/Secondary Highway
Cemetery
Rail
Residence
B19A
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B19
20
Road
Proposed Beartrap Substation Location
East Route Option
Crown Land
West Route Option
Beartrap
Transmission Project
NOTES:
- Only facilities in the vicinity of
the route options are shown.
Rejected Route
Existing 144 kV Transmission Line
Cartography By: EBA
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Range Road 445
LC
R IE
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Range Road 434
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Range Road 434
Township Road 620
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EAST ROUTE
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REJECTED CENTRAL ROUTE
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7L24
A1
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Range Road 440
Range Road 443
9
Range Road 444
Range Road 445
8
B1
Range Road 434
7L24
Township Road 622
Approved By: Wes Caldwell
- Several route options are shown,
but only one route/line will be built
ATCO Planner: Wes Caldwell
PROPOSED ROUTE MOSAIC
1:50 000
EBA Project Manager: Brent McMillin
RS-7LA24-U-01
August 2012