BLUMENORT TRANSMISSION PROJECT

Transcription

1 APPLICATION TO THE ALBERTA UTILITIES COMMISSION BLUMENORT TRANSMISSION PROJECT March Street P.O. Box 2426 Station Main Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2V6

2 INDEX OF ATTACHMENTS 1 THROUGH 13 ATTACHMENT 1 ATTACHMENT 2 ATTACHMENT 3 APPLICATION TEXT ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION PARTICIPANT INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM ATTACHMENT 4 PROJECT AREA MAPS Regional Map... Drawing RS-7L180-A-01 Reference Map... Drawing RS-7L180-A-02 ATTACHMENT 5 ELECTRICAL DIAGRAMS AND SITE LAYOUTS Proposed System Single-line Diagram... Drawing RS-7L180-A-03 Blumenort 832S Substation Proposed Site Plan... Drawing RS-7L180-A-04 Blumenort 832S Substation Proposed Single-line Diagram... Drawing RS-7L180-A-05 ATTACHMENT 6 ROUTE CONCEPTS MOSAIC Route Concepts Mosaic... Drawing RS-7L180-P-05a to b ATTACHMENT 7 PROPOSED ROUTE MOSAIC Proposed Route Mosaic... Drawing RS-7L180-AO-06a to b ATTACHMENT 8 TRANSMISSION LINE DRAWINGS Right-of-way Cross-Section Drawings (Proposed Route)... Drawings RS-7L180-A-07a to d Typical 144-kV Structure... Drawing RS-7SSP00-Davit-Arm-144SC Typical 144-kV Structure with Distribution Understrung... Drawing RS-7SSP00-Davit-Arm-144SC Facilities Details Maps and Table ATTACHMENT 9 AESO DIRECTION AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION AESO Notice to File (March 19, 2014) AESO Direction Correspondence (Project No. 803, May 22, 2013) AESO Functional Specification (Rev. 4, Mar 5, 2014) ATTACHMENT 10 PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS Information Package, June 2013 Update Information Package, December 2013 Facilities Details Notification Package, January 2014 Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Information Documents AUC Brochure Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications ATTACHMENT 11 SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS Environmental Protection Plan, (February 2014) Typical Tree Clearing Chart for 144-kV Transmission Lines Draft Permit and Licences ii

3 ATTACHMENT 12 ATTACHMENT 13 MAIL LABELS AND ALPHA-NUMERIC LISTS REFERENCE NOTE (CROSS-REFERENCE OF ATTACHMENTS) iii

4 TS Requirements (Short Description) TS1, TS2, TS3, TS4 INDEX TO TS INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS PER AUC RULE 007 Applicable acts, dispositions requested and existing approvals iv Found at: Attach.1: ss 1.2 to 1.4, 2.2 & 5.4 Attach.11 TS5 Consultation with local jurisdictions Attach.1: ss 3.4 & 5.1 Attach.3 TS6 Companies affected and agreements required Attach.3 TS7 Project description Attach.1: ss 1.1, 2.0 & 4.0 TS8 ISO Direct Assignment Letter Attach.9 TS9 Dates that approval and facilities are required; consequences of delay Attach.1: s 2.5 TS10 TS11 Routing alternatives and relative impacts Participant involvement program (PIP) description Attach.1: ss 3.5 & 3.6 Attach.2: s 6.0 Attach.1: s 6.0 Attach.3 TS12 Parties contacted as part of PIP and corresponding land locations Attach.3 Attach.7: Dwg A-06 Attach.12 TS13 Mailing addresses and labels Attach.12 TS14, TS15, Participant concerns, discussions with potentially directly and adversely affected TS16, TS17 persons, and resolution of concerns Attach.3 TS18, TS19, TS20 Facility design and operating voltage; transmission line ratings and losses; conductor selection, size and arrangement Attach.1: ss 2.1 & 2.2 TS21, TS22 Proposed transmission line structure type and right-of-way width Attach.1: s 2.2 Attach.8 TS23 Proposed major substation equipment and final specification Attach.1: s 2.1 TS24 Switching and protection features Attach.5: Dwg A-04 & A-05 TS25 Electrical interactions between proposed and other facilities Attach.1: s 5.4 Attach.5: Dwg A-03 TS26 Changes to existing facilities Attach.1: ss 1.2, 2.1 & 2.2 TS27 TS28 Study Area map Maps showing preferred and alternative routes, right-of-way widths and locations, and mile/kilometre points along each route Attach.2: Fig 1 Attach.4: Dwg A-02 Attach.4: Dwg A-04 Attach.6: Dwg P-06 Attach.7: Dwg A-06 Attach.8: Dwg 07a to 07d TS29 Maps showing routes, residences, landowner names, and land use and resource Attach.2: Figs 1 to 9 features Attach.7: Dwg A-06 TS30 Project Area map Attach.4: Dwg A-01 TS31 Single-line diagram, switching map, and/or substation layout Attach.5 TS32 Construction schedule and methods, and right-of-way maintenance Attach.1: ss 2.3 to 2.5 Attach.2 Attach.11: EPP

5 TS Requirements (Short Description) Found at: TS33 Functional Specification Attach.9 TS34 Noise Impact Assessment Attach.1: s 5.2 TS35 Conservation and Reclamation Plan (if applicable) Attach.1: s 5.1 Attach.2 Attach.11: EPP TS36, TS37 Landscape plan and visual aesthetics Attach.1: s 5.5 TS38 Tower location flexibility N/A TS39 TS40 TS41,TS42 Historical Resources Act clearance and requirements Environmental, land-use and regional setting of Study Area; environmental effects and mitigation; comparison of environmental factors and costs; compatibility with municipal services (if applicable) Compliance with regional land use plans (including Lower Athabasca Regional Plan) Attach.1: ss 1.4 & 5.3 Attach.3 Attach.1: s 3.0 Attach.2 Attach.11: EPP Attach.1: s 3.3 TS43 Detailed cost breakdown Attach.1: s 2.6 INDEX TO NEEDS IDENTIFICATION (NID 12) REQUIREMENTS PER AUC RULE 007 NID 12 Requirements Found at: 1 Agricultural impact Attach.1: ss 3.2 to 3.6, 5.1 & 5.5 Attach.2: ss 5.1, 5.4 & Fig 2 Attach.3: s Residential impact Attach.1: ss 3.2, 3.4 to 3.6, 5.4 & 5.5 Attach.3: s 8.1 Attach.7: Dwg A-06 3 Environmental impact Attach.1: ss 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 to 3.6 & 5.1 Attach.2 Attach.11: Environmental Protection Plan 4 Cost Attach.1: s Electrical considerations Attach.1: ss 2.1, 2.2 & 5.4 Attach.5: Dwgs A-03 to A-05 Attach.9: Functional Specification 6 Visual impact Attach.1: s Special constraints Attach.1: ss 3.1, 3.3 to 3.6, 5.3 & 5.4 Attach.2: Figs 2 to 9 Attach.3: s 9.0 v

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION SUMMARY OF PROPOSED FACILITIES DISPOSITIONS REQUESTED PROJECT NEED AND AESO DIRECTION AGENCY APPROVALS FACILITY LOCATION SUMMARY PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROPOSED EXPANSION OF BLUMENORT 832S SUBSTATION PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE 7L CONSTRUCTION METHODS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE PROJECT COST ESTIMATE ROUTE SELECTION STUDY AREA GENERAL TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING CRITERIA LAND-USE PLANS AND POLICIES CONCEPTUAL ROUTING AND SITING PRELIMINARY ROUTE OPTIONS SELECTION OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE PROPOSED ROUTE PROPOSED ROUTE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ELECTRICAL EFFECTS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS NOISE EFFECTS HISTORICAL IMPACTS ELECTRICAL EFFECTS LANDSCAPE AND AESTHETICS PARTICIPANT INVOLVEMENT CONCLUSION vi

7 LIST OF TABLES Page TABLE 1: Location Coordinates... 3 TABLE 2: Transmission Line 7L180 Details... 5 TABLE 3: 7L180 Thermal Ratings... 6 TABLE 4: Transmission Line 7L180 Alignment and Right-of-Way... 6 TABLE 5: Potential Construction Activities... 8 TABLE 6: Proposed Project Schedule TABLE 7: Project Cost Estimate TABLE 8: Routing Constraints and Opportunities Considered during the Development of Conceptual Routing TABLE 9: Summary of 7L180 Route Options TABLE 10: Proposed Route 7L vii

8 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED FACILITIES 1. As part of the (the Project), ATCO Electric Ltd. (ATCO Electric) proposes to build new power transmission facilities in the vicinity of the Hamlet of La Crete. The Project includes expansion of the existing Blumenort 832S Substation, and construction of approximately 23 kilometres (km) of new single-circuit 144 kilovolt (kv) transmission line designated as 7L180 on new right-of-way to the previously proposed Windy Hill 675S Substation (Application No ). The proposed transmission line route is shown on the Regional and Reference Maps [Drawings A-01 and A-02, Attachment 4]. The proposed facilities are to be completed and operating by February DISPOSITIONS REQUESTED 2. ATCO Electric hereby applies to the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission or AUC) pursuant to Sections 14, 15, and 18 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act (HEEA), (Chapter H-16, RSA 2000, as amended) for Permit, Licence and Order to undertake the following: a) Expand and alter the existing Blumenort 832S Substation (Permit and Licence No. U ); b) Construct approximately 23 km of new single-circuit 144-kV transmission line designated as 7L180, on a new right-of-way from the existing Blumenort 832S Substation to the previously proposed Windy Hill 675S Substation; c) Connect these facilities to ATCO Electric's electrical system, and operate and maintain the aforementioned transmission facilities. 3. Draft copies of the Permit and Licences being sought are included in Attachment PROJECT NEED AND AESO DIRECTION 4. Development of the proposed transmission facilities is required to connect the customer s new biomass generation plant and support current and future industrial development in the area. Pursuant to the applicable processes under the Electric Utilities Act, the need for the Project has been addressed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) as Project No. 803, and is the subject of a Needs Identification Document (NID) filed by the AESO to the Commission on March 21, 2014 as Application No In accordance with Section 35 of the Electric Utilities Act, the AESO has directed ATCO Electric to submit this Facility Application. A copy of the direction correspondence is included in Attachment 9. The AESO and ATCO Electric have agreed to coordinate the submission of the NID and Facility Application. Under the provisions of the applicable AESO and AUC Attachment 1 - Page 1

9 rules, and of Section 15.4 of the HEEA, ATCO Electric hereby requests that this Facility Application be combined for consideration with the AESO NID Application No AGENCY APPROVALS 6. The status of approvals from other agencies is described below. All of these agencies have been provided project information. A summary of the Participant Involvement Program, including results of agency notification and consultation, is provided in Attachment 3. The facilities will be built and operated in accordance with the authorizations granted pursuant to this Facility Application, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 39 of the Electric Utilities Act (Safe and Reliable Operation), the Safety Codes Act, Section 34 of the HEEA (Highway Authority Approvals), and applicable regulations and industry standards. Mackenzie County is the municipal authority pursuant to the Municipal Government Act. The proposed facilities are exempt from Part 17 - Planning and Development of the Municipal Government Act with respect to subdivision and development approvals. Alberta Transportation (AT) administers access and proximity to primary highways under the Public Highways Development Act. ATCO Electric will comply with the Public Highways Development Act and apply for all necessary approvals, if required, prior to the start of construction. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) administers the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and the Water Act. The proposed transmission facilities are not of the class requiring Conservation and Reclamation Approval or an Environmental Impact Assessment under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. ATCO Electric will comply with the Water Act and apply for all necessary approvals prior to the start of construction. AESRD administers Crown land under the Public Lands Act. ATCO Electric will apply to AESRD for the land rights required. AESRD is responsible for the management of wildlife as a Crown resource and for the conservation of species at risk under the Wildlife Act. The Project will include preconstruction environmental surveys including an assessment of plants, animals, soils, and wetlands. Alberta Culture (AC) is the provincial authority pursuant to the Historical Resources Act (HRA). ATCO Electric received HRA clearance on March 7, NAV Canada has requested structure design data for the proposed telecommunications tower. This data has been provided by ATCO Electric. With respect to the federal Aeronautics Act, ATCO Electric has submitted the required information regarding the proposed telecommunications tower to the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Safety Inspector and, if required, will submit an application for Aeronautical Obstruction Clearance. Attachment 1 - Page 2

10 1.5 FACILITY LOCATION SUMMARY 7. Table 1 provides a summary of facility land location coordinates (upon completion of the Project). TABLE 1: Location Coordinates Facility Land (Legal) Latitude (N) Longitude (W) (1) Blumenort 832S Substation LSD 13, W5M (2) 144-kV transmission line 7L180 -Start (Blumenort 832S Substation) -End (Windy Hill 675S Substation) LSD 13, W5M LSD 08, W5M Attachment 1 - Page 3

11 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 8. This section describes the location, project details and engineering specifications of the proposed transmission facilities. The facilities will be designed in accordance with the AESO s direction and final Functional Specification [Attachment 9]. The proposed facilities will be inspected and declared safe prior to being energized. The Proposed System Singleline Diagram is shown in Drawing A-03 in Attachment PROPOSED EXPANSION OF BLUMENORT 832S SUBSTATION 9. ATCO Electric proposes to expand and add transmission facilities to the existing Blumenort 832S Substation, including one 144-kV circuit breaker, one 61 metre (m) self-supporting steel lattice telecommunications tower and all related electrical and communications equipment. The substation expansion will also include associated foundation, structural, protection and control facilities including the addition of a control building. Location and Land Area 10. The existing Blumenort 832S Substation is situated in Mackenzie County, approximately 30 km northeast of the Hamlet of La Crete on land owned by ATCO Electric in the northwest quarter of W5M [Drawing A-04, Attachment 5]. The AESO has directed ATCO Electric to expand the substation as required to facilitate the new equipment to be added as part of the Project. This requires that the existing substation fence be expanded to include an additional area approximately 13 m by 108 m south of the existing fenced area. ATCO Electric owns the land required for the substation expansion in fee simple. Proposed Addition of Major Equipment 11. Proposed major equipment to be added to the final design will include: One (1) 144-kV circuit breaker; One (1) telecommunications tower and associated communications equipment. Proposed Major Equipment Final Design Specification 12. Proposed major equipment in the final design will include: One (1) 144/25-kV 15/20/25 MVA transformer; One (1) 144/25-kV 10/13.3 MVA transformer; One (1) 144-kV circuit switcher; Two (2) 144-kV circuit breakers; Four (4) 25-kV circuit breakers; Three (3) single-phase, 400 amp 14.4-kV voltage regulators; and One (1) telecommunications tower and associated communications equipment. Attachment 1 - Page 4

12 An enclosure surrounded by a chain link fence and other substation equipment as described in the Application. General Equipment and Engineering Outline 13. The general equipment layout is indicated on the Proposed Site Plan [Drawing A-04, Attachment 5]. Engineering information, including switching and protection features, is shown on the Proposed Single-line Diagram [Drawing A-05, Attachment 5]. 2.2 PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE 7L ATCO Electric proposes to construct approximately 23 km of new 144-kV single-circuit transmission line designated as 7L180, connecting the Blumenort 832S Substation to the previously proposed Windy Hill 675S Substation to the south. The Proposed Route is shown on the Proposed Route Mosaic [Drawing AO-06a-b, Attachment 7]. The Proposed System Single-line Diagram is shown as Drawing A-05 in Attachment The proposed transmission line will be a standard three-phase design with one circuit of three conductor wires and one overhead optical ground wire (OPGW) for communication purposes and lightning protection, strung on single-pole wood structures built to ATCO Electric s standards for operation at the nominal voltage of 144-kV. The typical structure for this transmission line will be a single-pole Davit Arm design, which has a typical height of approximately 20 m and a typical span length of 120 to 170 m between structures. 16. The typical structure is shown on Drawing RS-7SSP00-Davit-Arm-144SC in Attachment 8. Design details are summarized in Table 2. Typical structures may vary with final line design. Design Type TABLE 2: Transmission Line 7L180 Details Attachment 1 - Page 5 Typical 144-KV Wood Structure Nominal voltage 144-kV Line length (approx.) 23 km Number of transmission circuits 1 Transmission line conductor 1 x 477 kcmil ACSR (Hawk) Overhead shield wire 1 x 48 Strand Single Mode OPGW Typical structure height 20 m Typical span between structures 120 to 170 m Minimum conductor clearance, mid-span 6.7 m (varies with location per safety codes) 17. In select areas where the Proposed Route is currently occupied by single-phase distribution facilities, these segments of distribution line may be understrung on the new transmission poles. 18. Non-typical structures may be required at locations where transmission lines turn or terminate; or which require longer spans, greater clearance or extra stability. These

13 structures may have taller or additional poles, anchors, guy wires, or any combination thereof. In all cases, the transmission line will meet or exceed applicable safety regulation requirements. Final structure specification will be determined following survey and detailed line design. 19. Conductors for the line will be single 477 kcmil ACSR (Hawk) per phase. The summer and winter line ratings at 100 C for the transmission line are 190 MVA and 239 MVA, respectively. As specified in the AESO Functional Specification, the anticipated minimum loading on the transmission line is 50 MVA. Transmission line losses have been calculated to be approximately 1% based on conductor type and minimum transmission line loadings. Thermal ratings for the transmission line are shown in Table 3. Conductor TABLE 3: 7L180 Thermal Ratings Thermal Rating: Normal (85 C Conductor Temperature) Thermal Rating: Emergency (100 C Conductor Temperature) Summer (30 C) Winter (0 C) Summer (30 C) Winter (0 C) 1 x 477 ACSR 166 MVA 223 MVA 190 MVA 239 MVA Transmission Line Alignment and Right-of-Way 20. The proposed alignment for transmission line 7L180 is based on the location of physical, land use, and environmental constraints. The Proposed Route parallels existing and planned linear disturbances for most of its length in order to minimize impacts to the environment and adjacent land uses. 21. A minimum right-of-way width is required for the safe operation of the transmission line and for construction and maintenance access in consideration of structure guying space requirements. The width and structure placements vary with route location. Typical minimum right-of-way widths for the new transmission line are indicated in Table 4. Transmission Line (T/L) Route Locations TABLE 4: Transmission Line 7L180 Alignment and Right-of-Way Typical Structure Locations Minimum Right-of-way (RoW) Widths Paralleling Surveyed Road Allowances 0.6 m inside road allowance 9 m adjacent to road allowance Paralleling Highway m inside highway plan 9 m adjacent to highway plan Quarter Section/Property Line Cross-Country 0.6 m off centre of right-of-way Centre of right-of-way 8.4 m to 9.6 m on either side of T/L (18 m total) 9 m on either side of T/L (18 m total) 22. Right-of-way requirements for specific route segments are shown on the Cross-section Diagrams [Drawings A-07a to d, Attachment 8]. Attachment 1 - Page 6

14 23. In addition to the minimum widths indicated, additional area may be required as follows: at non-typical structures, such as at deflections or corners, for anchors, guy wires, additional poles and wider spacing, or where longer spans are required; where wetlands, steep slopes, or other barriers prevent travel along the right-of-way, off right-of-way access may be required to bypass these areas; when temporary workspace located outside of the transmission line right-of-way is required for material hauling and storage, structure laydown, assembly and erection, and at deflections and corners to allow conductor installation [Facilities Details Maps and Table, Attachment 8]; Where there is present or future risk of adjacent trees falling onto the transmission line, additional right-of-way width may be required for tree clearing. Additional width required is related to the tree height and will be determined following survey and prior to land acquisition. Typical tree clearing requirements based on tree heights are included in the Typical Tree Clearing Chart for 144-kV Transmission Lines in Attachment ATCO Electric will apply to AESRD for a Vegetation Control Easement as needed along the length of the transmission line right-of-way in Crown lands. Temporary Workspace Areas and Access Trails 25. ATCO Electric requests the inclusion of the temporary workspace areas and access trails, as shown on the Facilities Details Maps in Attachment These workspace areas and access trails are located outside the typical 18 m right-of-way required for transmission lines, and are required for the construction of the proposed 7L180 transmission line. The workspace areas are proposed for conductor stringing activities and are required along roadways, where appropriate, to facilitate safe construction of the transmission line. 27. ATCO Electric is applying for the inclusion of these temporary workspace areas and access trails for the Project in the event that access to these areas cannot be obtained through negotiation with the landholder, and right-of-entry orders from the Surface Rights Board are required. 28. Workspace areas and access trails are representative of what is required to construct the proposed facilities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. The off right-of-way access was delineated to minimize environmental impact by using existing disturbance where possible and avoiding sensitive habitat, such as known wetlands. The workspace areas and access trails may be modified to incorporate set-back requirements identified by further pre-construction field surveys and landholder consultation. 29. ATCO Electric has notified and consulted all landholders affected by temporary workspace areas and access trails along the Proposed Route, as described in Attachment 3. Attachment 1 - Page 7

15 2.3 CONSTRUCTION METHODS 30. Project construction consists of three general phases: pre-construction, construction, and post-construction. These activities are summarized both in Table 5 and in the following sections. As appropriate, ATCO Electric will modify the following general standard construction practices with respect to either environmental conditions or the presence of environmentally sensitive features. Mitigation measures to be employed during project construction are described in the Environmental Evaluation [Attachment 2] and the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) [Attachment 11]. Project phase Pre-construction Construction Post-construction TABLE 5: Potential Construction Activities Activity Land surveys Land acquisition Geotechnical survey Environmental surveys Final structure placement and temporary access and workspace identification and allocation Equipment cleaning station deployment (as required) Right-of-way preparation (includes brushing and fence removal) Temporary structure installation at crossings Temporary workspace preparation (where required: including stripping, grading, micro drainage installation) Structure foundation installation (where required) Materials hauling Structure assembling Structure erection and setting Conductor stringing and tensioning (including insulator and wire travel device installation) Tie-in (attaching conductors to insulators) Structure and line inspection Temporary structure dismantling Energizing Temporary workspaces, equipment cleaning stations and right-of-way decommissioning (where required) Land reclamation, fence installation, and weed control Attachment 1 - Page 8

16 Pre-Construction Activities 31. Approximate structure and other temporary workspace locations will be identified. The centreline will be surveyed and the right-of-way boundaries, temporary access, and workspaces will be marked. Prior to final structure placement, pre-construction surveys for geotechnical, wildlife, wetlands, and soils will be conducted as needed. Upon completion of these surveys, structure locations and structure assembly workspaces will be finalized and marked. Construction Activities 32. Standard construction practices for the right-of-way, access, and workspace areas are outlined below and are appropriately described in a wide range of operating conditions, including unfrozen ground. Alternative construction practices will be utilized based on favourable ground conditions (i.e., dry or frozen) and in sensitive areas in consultation with the appropriate regulators as follows: equipment cleaning station deployment (as required) along the right-of-way; removal of fences, small infrastructure, brush, rocks, and any other obstructions to equipment (where applicable); construction of temporary fencing (where applicable) to ensure lands outside the right-of-way can be utilized by landholders; construction or repair of access trails where applicable (this could include stripping, soil salvage, grading, the deployment of mats where required, and installation of bridges and/or culverts to maintain surface water flow); temporary workspace preparation (where and when required, the topsoil will be stripped and stored; tackifiers and cover mats may be used as erosion controls for soil stockpile sites; selective herbicide application may be used for weed control where appropriate and approved by the landholder; geotextile materials and gravel may also be used on work surfaces where required); drilling/augering of holes for foundations and spoil removal; material staging, structure, guy, and insulator assembly; placement of structure with a mobile boom truck; addition of lean fill concrete or similar material to set the structure base (where applicable); installation of temporary structures at crossings over streams, roads, or other obstacles as required; installation of guy anchors as required; and stringing and tensioning of conductor and OPGW. Attachment 1 - Page 9

17 33. To facilitate construction activities, the following types of equipment may be used including: pick-up trucks, one-ton trucks, drill/auger trucks, boom trucks, dozers, picker trucks, back hoes, cranes, and winch/spool trucks. Post-Construction Activities 34. Clean up, restoration, and monitoring can begin once construction is complete and may include the following tasks: inspection of the structures and transmission line; dismantling and removal of temporary structures (culverts, bridges, etc.); clean up and removal of all construction materials (including geotextile materials, and gravel), equipment, and equipment cleaning stations; workspace and access trail reclamation. Seed mix applications will be conducted on public land following consultation with the land-use authority (Mackenzie County). These activities will be carried out by the landowner on private land according to the right-of-way agreement; restoration of fences and other small infrastructure within the right-of-way and temporary workspaces; and monitoring of erosion control measures and the re-vegetation process effectiveness. Removing erosion control measures and re-vegetating as required. Reapplying seed mixes as required and conducting one noxious weed control program during the growing season following the last work completed on the property. 2.4 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 35. Operation and maintenance of the proposed transmission line will require access to structures and conductors. Annual inspections of the transmission line will typically occur by ground patrol to carry out a detailed inspection of the structures, insulators, and conductors. Access for work on the transmission line will be from the acquired right-of-way (using existing access where available) as well as from other access that has been negotiated with landholders. 2.5 SCHEDULE 36. Construction is scheduled to start by September 2014 if conditions permit and all necessary approvals are received. The targeted completion date is February The approximate schedule of key preparatory and construction activities is provided in Table 6. The dates are approximate and may change depending on such factors as timing of approvals, contractor plans, resource availability, material delivery, ground conditions, and weather. Attachment 1 - Page 10

18 TABLE 6: Proposed Project Schedule Activity or Milestone Start Completed AUC approvals Transmission line right-of-way clearing and construction March 2014 (application filed) September 2014 (approvals issued) September 2014 February 2015 Substation alterations/construction September 2014 February 2015 In-service date February This schedule assumes the following: Approvals will be granted for the proposed facilities by September 2014; and Activities, including survey, geotechnical assessment, land acquisition (where possible), detailed engineering, and materials acquisition will occur prior to issuance of AUC approvals so that construction can begin immediately after said approvals are received. Consequences of Delay 39. The in-service date (ISD) for the project is based on a commercial commitment to the customer and community. To meet the scheduled ISD, ATCO Electric must commence substation and transmission line brushing and construction in fall Construction is scheduled to continue through the fall and winter months, to be complete prior to spring break up, in order to reduce impacts to the land and to agriculture that would otherwise result in increased reclamation costs and crop damage. Attachment 1 - Page 11

19 2.6 PROJECT COST ESTIMATE 40. The cost estimate for the scope of the Project work, as detailed in ATCO Electric s Proposal to Provide Service submitted to the AESO, is provided in Table 7. Accuracy: TABLE 7: Project Cost Estimate +20 / -10% System Portion Customer Portion TOTAL Transmission Line Costs Material $ - $ 1,489,202 $ 1,489,202 Labour $ - $ 5,391,043 $ 5,391,043 Total-Transmission line $ - $ 6,880,246 $ 6,880,246 Substation Facilities Cost Material $ 246,972 $ 408,010 $ 654,983 Labour $ 947,998 $ 874,266 $ 1,822,264 Total-Substations $ 1,194,970 $ 1,282,276 $ 2,477,246 Telecommunications Cost Material $ 344,402 $ 4,319 $ 348,721 Labour $ 230,585 $ 113,210 $ 343,796 Total-Telecommunication $ 574,987 $ 117,530 $ 692,517 Owner Costs Proposal to Provide Service $ 57,510 $ 269,036 $ 326,546 Facility Applications $ 179,143 $ 838,052 $ 1,017,196 Land Rights - Easements $ - $ 522,457 $ 522,457 Land - Damage Claims $ - $ - $ - Land - Acquisitions $ - $ - $ - Owners Costs $ 236,653 $ 1,629,545 $ 1,866,198 Distributed Costs Procurement $ 22,102 $ 109,150 $ 131,252 Project Management $ 92,393 $ 456,281 $ 548,674 Construction Management $ 176,402 $ 871,158 $ 1,047,560 Contingency $ 303,440 $ 1,498,529 $ 1,801,968 Distributed Costs $ 594,337 $ 2,935,118 $ 3,529,454 Total Owners and Dist. Costs $ 830,990 $ 4,564,663 $ 5,395,653 Total Direct Costs $ 2,600,948 $ 12,844,715 $ 15,445,662 Salvage - Transmission Line Labour $ 5,660 $ 19,340 $ 25,000 Salvage - Substation Labour $ 8,000 $ - $ 8,000 Land Remediation and Reclamation $ - $ - $ - Salvage Costs $ 13,660 $ 19,340 $ 33,000 Other Costs Inflation $ 96,010 $ 472,376 $ 568,386 E&S $ 257,024 $ 1,264,576 $ 1,521,600 AFUDC $ - $ - $ - Total Indirect Costs $ 366,694 $ 1,756,292 $ 2,122,986 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $ 2,967,642 $ 14,601,006 $ 17,568,648 Attachment 1 - Page 12

20 3.0 ROUTE SELECTION 3.1 STUDY AREA 41. The Project is located in northwest Alberta within the Dry Mixedwood Natural Subregion of the Boreal Forest Natural Region (Natural Regions Committee 2006). The Subregion consists of aspen with scattered white spruce interspersed with fens, and cultivated lands on suitable soils throughout. The Project is confined within the Peace/Slave River Basin in this Subregion, in an area that is primarily private land with agricultural cultivation and livestock pasture as the dominant uses. 42. ATCO Electric s route selection process began with the delineation of a Study Area [Drawing A-02, Attachment 4] that met the technical requirements of the AESO s direction and accounted for large scale geographic, environmental, and social constraints. 43. The Study Area is approximately 8 km by 22 km (17,600 ha) and is located within the Peace/Slave River Basin, in Mackenzie County. The Study Area encompassed portions of the following townships: Township 108 Range 13 and 14 W5M; Township 107 Range 13 and 14 W5M; and Township 106 Range 13 and 14 W5M 44. The Study Area was generally delineated by the following boundaries: The northern boundary is approximately 2.4 km north of the existing Blumenort 832S Substation, just west of the 90 turn in Highway 697; The western boundary is approximately 1.6 km west of Highway 697 and Range Road 141; The southern boundary is near the intersection of Range Road 140 and Township Road 1062, approximately 1.6 km south of the previously proposed Windy Hill 675S Substation; and The eastern boundary is Range Road ATCO Electric compiled baseline spatial information for the defined Study Area and subsequently developed a project-specific dataset of landscape features relevant to the Study Area with ortho-mosaic background. The applied datasets and mosaics were used to identify broad constraints and serve as a basis for field reconnaissance work. Datasets of interest typically include the following, and are applicable to the Study Area: roadways including highways, major roads, and local roads; existing transmission and distribution facilities; populated areas including hamlets and country residential development; Attachment 1 - Page 13

21 oil and gas facilities including pipelines, surface wells, batteries and pump stations; Environmentally Significant Areas; Key Wildlife and Biodiversity Zones; Parks and Protected Areas including natural areas, provincial parks, national parks, provincial recreation areas, wilderness areas, ecological reserves, and heritage rangeland; Historical Wildlife Observations from the Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System (FWMIS); Historical Resource Values on lands that either possess known historic resources or have high potential for their presence, including archaeological, paleontological, historical, natural, and cultural resources; and Watercourses, water bodies, wetlands, and muskeg. 46. Rural development in the Study Area consists primarily of single-residence farms, though undeveloped and developed subdivided lands also exist in the Study Area. Residences are typically found in close proximity to local roads and highways. Schools, farm-based businesses, and light industrial sites are also interspersed throughout the Study Area. Intensive oil and gas development is not present in the Study Area, with such activity limited mostly to a network of natural gas distribution lines. The dominant land use in this area is agricultural cultivation and livestock pasture, with many quarter sections defined by treed shelterbelts. 47. The Blumenort 832S Substation footprint overlaps Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) 689 and is immediately adjacent to an Aquatic ESA. Any route option within the Study Area that is proposed to connect to this substation cannot avoid impacting one or both ESAs. ESA 689 contains six elements of conservation concern (two insect species, two moss species, and two vascular plant species), two rare or unique landforms (dunes), intact riparian areas along one of the six major rivers, and large natural areas. With the implementation of the Environmental Protection Plan [Attachment 11], impacts on the ESA and Aquatic ESA should be mitigated. Attachment 2 outlines ATCO Electric s environmental mitigation measures that will be utilized throughout project execution to reduce impacts in these ESAs. 48. A portion of the Study Area, including the Blumenort 832S Substation site, overlaps a Key Wildlife and Biodiversity Zone (KWBZ). This portion is generally around the Peace River and is intended to restrict industrial activity in the river valley during important periods of ungulate activity. AESRD has determined that this Project is in compliance with the intent of the KWBZ, and as such is not subject to applicable timing restrictions. 49. A portion of the Study Area overlaps areas of Protective Notation (PNT) for restrictions to agriculture. These areas are described in more detail in Attachment 2. AESRD has determined that this Project is in compliance with the intent of each affected PNT area, and as such is not subject to applicable restrictions. Attachment 1 - Page 14

22 3.2 GENERAL TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING CRITERIA 50. General transmission line routing criteria include: minimizing impacts with other land uses such as residences, built-up areas, oil and gas facilities, and airstrips; using existing linear developments to minimize new disturbances and clearing, and following existing property lines where practical; following existing road rights-of-way where possible, for access and to reduce new clearing and minimize environmental impacts; following quarter and section lines wherever possible to minimize impacts to agriculture; keeping routes as straight as possible, to reduce transmission line length and costly corner structures; minimizing length along environmentally sensitive areas such as watercourses, recreation areas, parks, and wildlife habitat; and minimizing transmission line length through wet areas and steep slopes for better access and to reduce environmental impacts. 3.3 LAND-USE PLANS AND POLICIES 51. The following planning documents are relevant to the Project, and further stress the importance of the routing and siting criteria utilized by ATCO Electric: Mackenzie County, Municipal Development Plan (MDP), Bylaw No. 735/ Mackenzie County issued its current MDP on November 10, They have since provided draft amendments for a future update of this MDP. Under Section 619 of the Municipal Government Act, the proposed facilities are exempt from adherence to the MDP; however, there are some planning principles in the MDP that are relevant to the Project and specific to route planning. 53. Section of the MDP lists agriculture as the most important land use in the rural area, and Section 4.1 of the MDP emphasizes the goal of minimizing impacts of non-agricultural uses on existing agricultural operations. 54. ATCO Electric, through its transmission line routing criteria, seeks to minimize impacts to agriculture by following property lines and field boundaries wherever possible, avoiding cultivated areas where feasible, and mitigating impacts to farming activities where possible. Mackenzie County, Land-Use Bylaw 55. This project is consistent with the municipal land-use bylaw, based on the permitted uses of each affected land zone. Attachment 1 - Page 15

23 Lower Peace Regional Plan 56. The Project Area lies within the Lower Peace Regional Plan (LPRP) area as described in the Government of Alberta s Land-use Framework. The development of the LPRP has not been started as of the filing date of this Facility Application. 3.4 CONCEPTUAL ROUTING AND SITING 57. The process of developing conceptual routes was based on an evaluation of routing opportunities (i.e., features favourable to the development of a transmission line route in a particular location) and routing constraints (i.e., features that constrain or prevent the development of a transmission line route in a particular location) [Table 8]. Routing Opportunity TABLE 8: Routing Constraints and Opportunities Considered during the Development of Conceptual Routing Routing Constraint Blind Lines and Quarter-section Lines Property Boundaries Occupied Residences within 150 m Occupied Residences within 800 m Parallel Existing Power Lines Parallel Existing Road Plans Waterbodies > 150 m at crossing location for single pole structures Parks and Protected Areas Windbreaks and Valued Trees Churches and Cemeteries Oil and gas facilities Communication Towers Areas of Cross-Cultivation Lands Assigned Historic Resource Values (HRV) of 1, 2 or A field reconnaissance survey was completed within the Study Area to verify the accuracy of available datasets and identify any additional features that were not digitally available. Field reconnaissance was completed via publicly accessible roads and was augmented with reconnaissance helicopter flights to assess areas not visible from public roads. Features typically recorded include the following: airstrips cemeteries churches commercial buildings communication towers community halls dugouts Attachment 1 - Page 16

24 farm buildings feed lots industrial areas occupied houses oil and gas facilities other constraints, including corrals and treed areas other buildings, including garages, sheds, and historic buildings recreational areas roadways shelterbelts slumping or eroding soils steep slopes unoccupied houses utilities wetlands wild game farms 59. During a previous iteration of the Project in 2010, ATCO Electric collected landholder feedback on a number of conceptual route options in the Study Area. This information was considered a supplementary dataset during conceptual routing activities in Conceptual routing opportunities were identified using available datasets and mosaics and using information collected during field reconnaissance. During the conceptual stage, routes were developed on blind lines, quarter-section lines, and developed and undeveloped road allowances. Cross-country route options, while considered during preliminary route development, were deemed to have greater impact and did not meet as many of the general transmission line routing criteria. 61. ATCO Electric acknowledges that some landholders are sensitive to the removal of trees and shelterbelts from the landscape, while other landholders are not. ATCO Electric strives to limit tree removal by avoiding routing through tree stands where practicable; however, in a predominantly agricultural setting, these features tend to occur along property lines, roads, and field edges, where routing opportunities are otherwise most favourable. ATCO Electric will work with landholders to minimize the impact of tree removal. Areas of native vegetation are shown in Figure 8a and 8b in Attachment Early engagement with selected stakeholders was initiated in February Meetings were held with representatives of agencies responsible for administering legislation potentially applicable to the Project and with the planning representatives of Mackenzie County. Potential route options were not discussed at these initial meetings. Input from the meetings was used to identify constraints in the Study Area, obtain the latest information with respect Attachment 1 - Page 17

25 to environmentally sensitive areas and development plans within the County, and to identify potential route options. 3.5 PRELIMINARY ROUTE OPTIONS 63. ATCO Electric selected three preliminary route options, developed in accordance with the general transmission line routing criteria described in Section 3.2. These routes were presented to landowners, land occupants, the general public, and agencies during the first round of consultation. Preliminary route options are shown on the Route Concepts Mosaic [Drawing P-05a-b, Attachment 6]. In order to clarify the description of route segments, the maps include node identifiers (e.g., W1) as reference points. 64. Following the preliminary consultation, ATCO Electric evaluated the information obtained through consultation with the affected landowners, agencies, and interested parties (further described in Attachment 3). ATCO Electric considered additional route combinations, based on both feedback from landholders and further analysis of the routing metrics, resulting in additional route segments. 65. ATCO Electric continued to assess the routes based on consultation results in combination with other factors noted in Section 3.1 to 3.4. After identifying the route that met the majority of route selection criteria and was most preferred by stakeholders, that route (the West Route) was optimized to address the concerns identified during stakeholder consultation. Directly impacted landholders were consulted on all adjustments, and the resulting route was chosen as the Proposed Route, as shown on the Proposed Route Mosaic [Drawing AO- 06a-b in Attachment 7]. 66. The Central Route meets most of the general transmission line routing criteria, and is the shortest and most direct route option with the smallest overall footprint, but was rejected primarily due to high residence impact. This route has 18 residences within 150 m, 11 of which are less than 100 m away. Several of these residences have objecting landowners and/or occupants with concerns directly related to the proximity of the Central Route to their residence. All other routing metrics are similar, or not significantly superior to, the Proposed Route, although the Central Route does have significantly higher overall landholder objections. 67. The East Route meets most of the general transmission line routing criteria, and impacts the least number of residences overall, but was rejected primarily due to high agricultural impact. This route has the highest amount of cultivated land on the right-of-way, including the highest overall length of transmission line bisecting cross-cultivated fields. The East Route also has the most tree removal, largely due to the majority of the alignment running down quarter-line shelterbelts. Although the East Route has the lowest overall residence impact, it has more residence objections and overall landholder objections than the Proposed Route. Attachment 1 - Page 18

26 68. Table 9 summarizes key metrics used to evaluate the route options considered for transmission line 7L180. Costs indicated in Table 9 are estimates only and are meant to compare the estimated cost of the proposed and rejected routes. Additional environmental information is also provided in the Environmental Evaluation [Attachment 2], and additional consultation information is provided in the Participant Involvement Program summary [Attachment 3]. 69. Brief node descriptions have been provided below to help locate these routes on the Proposed Route Mosaic [Drawing AO-06a-b, Attachment 7]. Proposed Route: Blumenort 832S Substation W1 W2 W4 W5 W7 W8 A1 A2 A3 W10 W11 W12 W15 W16 W18 W19 B20 B21 W21 W22 previously proposed Windy Hill 675S Substation. Rejected Central Route: Blumenort 832S Substation W1 W2 W4 E6 C9 C10 C11 C12 C15 C16 C17 C18 W21 W22 previously proposed Windy Hill 675S Substation. Rejected East Route: Blumenort 832S Substation W1 W2 E2 E4 E6 E8 E16 E17 E23 previously proposed Windy Hill 675S Substation. Attachment 1 - Page 19

27 Configuration Factors TABLE 9: Summary of 7L180 Route Options Proposed Route Rejected Central Route Rejected East Route Route Length (km) Area of ROW (ha) Number of Turns >45 degrees Property/Land Use Line (km) Adjacent Access (including road crossings) (km) Parallel of Existing Transmission Line (>69-kV) (km) Understringing Existing Distribution Line (<69-kV) (km) Cross-cultivation (km) Cross-country (km) Nearest Occupied Residence (m) Residences within 100 m of ROW Residences within 150 m of ROW Residences within 400 m of ROW Residences within 800 m of ROW Total Number of Landholder Objections on ROW Total Number of Parcels on ROW with Objections Total Number of Landholder Objections Within 800 m of ROW Total Number of Parcels within 800 m of ROW with Objections Percentage of ROW by Ownership Crown: 6% Crown: 4% Crown: 7% Private: 94% Private: 96% Private: 93% Area of Tree Removal within ROW (ha) Area of Cultivated Land within ROW (ha) Area of Pasture Land within ROW (ha) Area of Wetlands within ROW (ha) Area of ESAs within ROW (ha) Area of Aquatic ESAs within ROW (ha) Area of KWBZ within ROW (ha) Area of PNTs within ROW (ha) Project Cost Estimate (million) $6.9 $6.9 $7.1 Attachment 1 - Page 20

28 3.6 SELECTION OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE 70. ATCO Electric has selected one proposed route option (the Proposed Route) as the route option that best meets the selection criteria. The following sections summarize the reasons for selecting the Proposed Route over the rejected options. Proposed Route Selection 71. ATCO Electric has selected a Proposed Route that, among other considerations, is the most acceptable option to landholders and also minimizes potential impacts to residences and agricultural operations for the majority of its length. 72. The Proposed Route runs along existing property and land-use boundaries for the majority of its length, using provincial and municipal road allowance for approximately 49% of its total length. The route incurs 1.2 km of cross country where affected landowners have preferred this alignment to avoid the removal of trees along their property line. 73. The Proposed Route is similar in length to the Rejected Central Route, and although it incurs more turns, the additional footprint is acceptable to landholders. 74. The Proposed Route is preferred over both rejected routes regarding potential impact to residences. Although the Proposed Route has one more residence within 150 m than the Rejected East Route, the Proposed Route has no landholder objections from these residences whereas the Rejected East Route has three objections from the same category of residences. 75. The Proposed Route is preferred over both rejected routes in potential impacts to agricultural operations. Although the Proposed Route has slightly more cultivated land within its right-of-way than the Rejected Central Route, the Proposed Route has no landholder objections from landholders due to agricultural impact, whereas the Rejected Central Route has six such objections and the Rejected East Route has nine. 76. While the potential environmental impacts of all three routes are not expected to be significant, the Proposed Route is the environmentally preferred option with respect to limiting impacts to wetlands and land use. 77. The Proposed Route crosses several areas with Protective Notation (PNT), restricting agricultural use. The Proposed Route does not cross a PNT restricting transmission line development. PNTs and other designated areas are shown in Figure 3a and 3b in Attachment 2. Comparison of Proposed and Rejected Routes 78. The Proposed Route is favoured over the Rejected Routes due to the following advantages: No outstanding landholder objections (mitigates more landholder concerns); Attachment 1 - Page 21