Bohn to Kettle River Transmission Project

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1 April 2012 Why are you receiving this project information package? New transmission facilities are needed in the Fort McMurray area. ATCO Electric has been directed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) to assess site and route options for these upgrades. We have prepared this summary for landowners, occupants, agencies and interested parties located near the proposed 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 six for our contact information and details. Project Overview Enbridge Pipelines is increasing the capacity of their pipeline network in the Fort McMurray area and building the Janvier pump station. To meet the increased demand in power associated with the pump station, additional transmission facilities are necessary. Included in this package: Project information brochure Reply form and postage paid envelope Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Need Overview document Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) brochure Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications Maps and drawings If approved, the Bohn to Kettle River Transmission Project will involve building a new substation. Around 30 kilometres (km) of new transmission line will be built to connect the proposed Bohn substation with the proposed Kettle River substation (part of an adjacent transmission project). 1

2 Project Need and Details When upgrades to Alberta s electrical system are needed, they are identified by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). The AESO has received an application for a new substation to provide electrical service to the proposed Enbridge Pipelines Janvier pump station. The proposed new Bohn substation will be connected to the electric system reinforcements being proposed as part of a neighbouring project. Landowners and other parties affected by the adjacent project will receive an additional project information package in the mail called Kettle River Transmission Project. Bohn Substation If approved, the proposed Bohn substation (to be called 931S) will be located around 130 kilometres (km) south of Fort McMurray in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The substation will be located on LSD W4M and will include the installation of the following: one 15/20/25 MVA, 144/4.16 kilovolt (kv) LTC transformer one 144 kv circuit breaker one 4.16 kv circuit breaker related electrical and communications equipment The preliminary site location is shown on the enclosed map. 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 refer to the AESO s Need Overview included with this package, or 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. A substation in Alberta 2

3 144 kv Transmission Line Single-Circuit 144 kv Davit-Arm Structure If approved, approximately 30 kilometers (km) of new 144 kilovolt (kv) single-circuit transmission line (to be called 7L05) will be constructed. The line will connect the proposed Bohn substation to the proposed Kettle River substation (to be called 2049S). The newly constructed single-circuit transmission line will consist of three conductor wires plus one overhead shield wire strung on wood pole structures. The typical structure will be a single-pole davit-arm design about 17 metres (m) to 22 m tall (please refer to the structure diagram on the right) with guy wires. The maximum width of these structures will be 12 m. The typical distance between poles will range from 120 m to 170 m. Non-typical structures with taller or additional poles and/ or anchors may be required where the line ends or bends, at corners, and to maneuver around and over obstacles. In all cases, minimum clearance will meet or exceed the requirements of provincial safety regulations. Approximate Dimensions Height to 22 m Max. Width m Distance between structures to 170 m 3

4 Typical Right-of-Way Transmission lines are located in corridors that have been cleared of brush and other obstacles. These are called a right-of-way. A right-of-way must have a minimum width to ensure safety and allow for construction and ongoing access for maintenance purposes. The width of the right-of-way, and the position of transmission structures within it, will depend on a variety of factors including the type of structure that is used. The typical right-of-ways associated with this project are shown below. Details may change as the project develops and designs are finalized. 4

5 Site Selection The proposed Bohn substation location was chosen to ensure the following: suitable site conditions (level, well-drained); good access; sufficient space for initial development and incoming lines; and adequate setback from adjacent development and environmentally sensitive areas. We have identified two preliminary route options for the new transmission line connecting the proposed Bohn substation to a new substation proposed as part of the adjacent Kettle River Transmission Project (please see the map included with this package). These options were selected to: Facilities Application Process Once feedback has been considered and the proposed transmission line route is finalized, ATCO Electric will submit a Facilities Application to the AUC to obtain approval for the construction and operation of the proposed transmission facilities. 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. minimize impacts to environmentally sensitive areas such as watercourses, wet or steep areas, wildlife habitat, and other sensitive areas such as designated historical sites; follow existing road allowances, linear disturbances, other right-of-ways or property boundaries wherever possible; minimize impacts on built-up areas, highways, oil and gas operations and communication facilities; and, minimize fragmentation to oil sand leases. Other options for the preliminary site and route selection may be considered if identified through our consultation process. 5

6 ATCO Electric Proposed Timeline* April 2012 Consultation with land owners and agencies May 2012 Selection of preferred route options June 2012 Submission of the Facilities Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) December 2012 If approval is granted by the AUC, construction will commence 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. October 2013 Facilities completed and operating *Timing may be adjusted to reflect final plans. Contact Us Your comments and concerns are important to us. Please contact us toll free: or direct: Kristen House, Project Planner ATCO Electric Street Edmonton, AB T5J 2V6 Phone: Fax: Website:

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8 Need for the Kettle River 2049S and Bohn 931S substations, south of the City of Fort McMurray Transmission Development Information for Stakeholders Why is this transmission development needed? Transmission system reinforcement is required in the area south of the City of Fort McMurray to meet increasing electricity demand. The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has identified the need for a new 240/144 kv source in the area. The AESO is proposing to meet this need by developing a new 240/144 kv substation, to be called Kettle River 2049S, and a new short 240 kv transmission line to connect the proposed substation to the existing 9L kv transmission line. In addition, ATCO Electric Ltd. (ATCO) has requested an increase in transmission capacity to meet growing electricity demand in the vicinity of the proposed Kettle River 2049S substation. ATCO s request can be addressed by developing a new 144/4.16 kv substation. The proposed substation, to be called Bohn 931S, will be connected to the proposed Kettle River 2049S substation with a new 144 kv transmission line. The AESO is processing ATCO s request, including providing information to landowners, occupants, residents and agencies in the Fort McMurray area that may be near the proposed transmission development. The AESO intends to apply to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for approval of this need in the summer of The AESO s needs identification document (NID) application will be available on the AESO s website at at the time of its application to the AUC. Who is the AESO? Alberta s transmission system, sometimes referred to as the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES), is planned and operated by the AESO. The transmission system comprises the high-voltage lines, towers and equipment (generally 69kV and above) that transmit electricity from generators to lower voltage systems that distribute electricity to cities, towns, rural areas and large industrial customers. The AESO s role is to maintain safe, reliable and economic operation of the AIES. The AESO s planning responsibility includes determining the need for transmission system development and the manner in which that need is met. The AESO is also mandated to facilitate the interconnection of qualified market participants to the AIES. The AESO is regulated by the AUC and must apply to the AUC for approval of its NID Page 1 February 2012

9 How is ATCO involved? ATCO is the transmission facilities owner (TFO) in the Fort McMurray area. While the AESO is responsible for identifying that transmission system development is needed, ATCO is responsible for detailed siting and routing, constructing, operating and maintaining the associated transmission facilities. The AESO has directed ATCO to provide information to stakeholders on this need and to file a facility proposal application with the AUC which will include a detailed description and location of the proposed transmission development. Further Information The AESO appreciates your views on the need for transmission system development and your comments are encouraged. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the need for the proposed transmission system development in the Fort McMurray area or the AESO s application regarding this need, please contact: Mark Sears-Gamache AESO Stakeholder Relations stakeholder.relations@aeso.ca 2500, th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 0L4 The AESO is committed to protecting your personal privacy in accordance with Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act. Any personal information collected by the AESO with regard to this project may be used to provide you with further information about the project, may be disclosed to the Alberta Utilities Commission (and as a result, may become public), and may also be disclosed to ATCO as the legal owner of transmission facilities in your area. If you have any questions about how the AESO will use and disclose your personal information, please contact us at or at stakeholder.relations@aeso.ca 1106 Page 2 February 2012

10 REPLY FORM BOHN TO KETTLE TRANSMISSION PROJECT 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 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 If you would like more information about the project, please contact us toll free or by consultation@atcoelectric.com.