Willingdon Substation Decommission

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1 November 2012 Why are you receiving this project information package? New transmission facilities have been proposed in central east Alberta. As a result, some existing facilities are no longer needed. ATCO Electric has been directed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) to prepare a facilities proposal for decommissioning of existing facilities in the area. We have prepared this summary for landowners, occupants, agencies, and interested parties located near the existing power transmission facilities. This package provides important project information and outlines our public consultation process. We invite any comments, questions or concerns you may have. Please refer to page four for our contact information and details. Included in this package: Project information brochure Reply form and postage paid envelope Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) brochure Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications Site plan Project Overview New facilities in central east Alberta have been proposed. As a result of these upgrades to the electrical system, the Willingdon substation is no longer needed. If approved, the project will involve removing the existing substation equipment and reclaiming the substation site. 1

2 Project Need When upgrades to Alberta s electrical system are needed, they are identified by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). Decommissioning of the Willingdon substation is part of system upgrades that are necessary in central east Alberta to meet load growth, improve reliability and to replace aging facilities. The AESO described the need for these facilities in the Central East Transmission Development Needs Identification Document. This document was filed with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) on May 20, 2010 and subsequently approved on February 10, The AESO is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of the provincial transmission grid. For more information about why this project is needed, please visit If you have any questions or concerns about the need for this project you may contact the AESO directly or you can make your concerns known to an ATCO Electric representative who will communicate them to the AESO on your behalf. Willingdon Substation (711S) The Willingdon substation, called 711S, will be replaced by the Watt Lake substation (956S) under the central east transmission development project. Willingdon substation is located 31 kilometres (km) north of the Town of Vegreville on the northwest quarter of Section W4M. Materials removed from the substation will be reused by ATCO Electric or recycled according to local, provincial, and federal regulations and guidelines. Equipment to be removed includes: Two 72/25 kv, 6/8 MVA transformers Two 25 kv, 8 MVA voltage regulators Two 35 kv bulk oil breakers Other associated substation equipment Decommissioning and Reclamation ATCO Electric aims to return the disturbed site to equivalent land capability following the substation decommissioning. ATCO Electric follows the guidelines outlined under Alberta Environment s R&R/11-03: Environmental Protection Guidelines for Transmission Lines for the reclamation of decommissioned substation sites. These include: Assessing soil conditions; Protecting the environment during the decommissioning activities; and, Ensuring the site is reclaimed to the pre-disturbance land capability and is compatible with current adjacent land use. How will these changes affect landowners? In order to maintain service, proposed decommissioning of the substation will not occur until other planned facilities associated with the central east development project are constructed and operating. Facilities Application Process Once public feedback has been received, ATCO Electric will submit a facilities application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to obtain approval for decommissioning of the existing Willingdon substation. For more information about how you can participate in the process, please refer to the enclosed AUC brochure entitled Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications. 2

3 Site Plan 3

4 Proposed Timeline* November 2012 Public notification and consultation with landowners and agencies February 2013 Submission of the facilities application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) February 2014 If approval is granted by the AUC, decommission will commence August 2015 Facilities decommissioned and land reclaimed *Timing may be adjusted to reflect final plans. ATCO Electric 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. Contact Us Your comments and concerns are important to us. Please contact us toll free: or direct: Roxanne Borowiecki, Project Planner ATCO Electric Street Edmonton, AB T5J 2V6 Phone: Fax: Website:

5 REPLY FORM Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2V6 CONTACT INFORMATION Date (DD/MM/YYYY): First Name: Last Name: Company/Organization Name (if applicable): Mailing Address: Please help us identify new contacts 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 (If this is your preference, please check the box) 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 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 If you would like more information about the project, please contact us toll free or by consultation@atcoelectric.com.