Decision 2011-424 (Errata) Access Pipeline Inc. Errata to Decision 2011-424 Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station January 4, 2012
The Alberta Utilities Commission Decision 2011-424 (Errata): Access Pipeline Inc. Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station Applications No. 1607596 Proceeding ID No. 1407 January 4, 2012 Published by The Alberta Utilities Commission Fifth Avenue Place, Fourth Floor, 425 First Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3L8 Telephone: 403-592-8845 Fax: 403-592-4406 Website: www.auc.ab.ca
The Alberta Utilities Commission Calgary, Alberta Decision 2011-424 (Errata) Access Pipeline Inc. Application No. 1607596 Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station Proceeding ID No. 1407 1. On October 26, 2011, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC or the Commission) issued Decision 2011-424 to Access Pipeline Inc. The decision number was incorrectly shown as 2011-242 on the second page of decision report cover sheet. Section 48 of the Commission s Rule 001: Rules of Practice indicates that [t]he Commission may correct typographical errors, errors of calculation and similar errors made in any of its orders, decisions or directions. Accordingly, this errata decision has been issued to correct the error. 2. The decision number on the second page of the cover sheet in Decision 2011-424 has been amended and is attached to this Decision 2011-424 (Errata). Dated on January 4, 2012. The Alberta Utilities Commission (original signed by) Neil Jamieson Commission Member AUC Decision 2011-424 (Errata) (January 4, 2012) 1
Decision 2011-424 Access Pipeline Inc. Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station October 26, 2011
The Alberta Utilities Commission Decision 2011-424: Access Pipeline Inc. Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station Application No. 1607596 Proceeding ID No. 1407 October 26, 2011 Published by The Alberta Utilities Commission Fifth Avenue Place, Fourth Floor, 425 First Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3L8 Telephone: 403-592-8845 Fax: 403-592-4406 Website: www.auc.ab.ca
The Alberta Utilities Commission Calgary, Alberta Decision 2011-424 Access Pipeline Inc. Application No. 1607596 Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station Proceeding ID No. 1407 1 Introduction 1. Access Pipeline Inc. (Access) filed an application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC or the Commission) requesting approvals to construct, operate and connect a 3.8-megawatt (MW) temporary generation facility at the Smoky Lake Pump Station in the Waskatenau area pursuant to sections 11 and 18 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act. This application was registered on August 17, 2011, as Application No. 1607596. The Smoky Lake Pump Station, which Access plans to start construction on in late 2011, is located north of Wastakeanu (west of Highway 831 and south of Highway 656) in LSD 15-32-59-19 W4M. The purpose of the temporary generation facility is to supply electric energy to the Smoky Lake Pump Station until it is connected to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES) via new transmission lines. 2 Discussion 2. Access requested transmission-voltage electrical supply to power the recently approved, but yet to be constructed, Smoky Lake Pump Station. As a result of Access request, the Alberta Electric System Operator filed 1 a needs identification document with the AUC for the Weasel Creek and Abee projects. Subsequently, AltaLink Management Ltd. and ATCO Electric Ltd., the transmission facility owners (TFOs), filed facility applications 2 for their respective portions of the Weasel Creek and Abee projects. 3. Access stated that the anticipated in-service date for its requested transmission-voltage level electric power supply would be October 2012. However, Access pump station is scheduled for start up in late 2011. Therefore, to allow construction and operation before the new transmission lines are in place, Access and ATCO Electric Ltd. are proceeding with the installation of an interim distribution-voltage level power supply for the site. 4. However, the capacity of the interim distribution power supply will be limited to 1.2 MW, which is insufficient to power the pump station s total load, and there will be a six to eight week period in 2012 when the interim distribution power supply will be unavailable. Consequently, Access proposes the installation of 3.8 MW of diesel powered portable temporary generation at its Smoky Lake Pump Station site. These generators will be used to supplement and provide backup to the interim distribution power supply from ATCO Electric Ltd. 1 2 Alberta Electric System Operator NID, Application No. 1607512, July 22, 2011. AltaLink Management Ltd. facility application, Application No. 1607550, July 28, 2011; and ATCO Electric Ltd. facility applications, Application No. 1607595 and Application No. 1607597, August 17, 2011. AUC Decision 2011-424 (October 26, 2011) 1
Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station Access Pipeline Inc. 5. The proposed generation and interconnection scheme is designed to supply Access pump station loads, and to prevent the flow of generated electric power from entering ATCO Electric Ltd. s distribution network. ATCO Electric Ltd. states that it has no objection to the connection of the proposed temporary generation provided that the connection is technically feasible and meets ATCO Electric Ltd. s interconnection requirements. 6. Access anticipates that the duration of the operating period for the temporary generation will be approximately 12 months, or until the AUC approves, and the TFOs construct the necessary transmission facilities needed to supply power at the transmission-voltage level to the site. Access has confirmed that the temporary generators will be removed from service once the pump station is connected to the AIES via transmission lines. 7. Access prepared and filed a noise impact assessment indicating that the noise levels will be within the permissible sound levels (PSL), as specified in AUC Rule 012: Noise Control (AUC Rule 012), provided that a noise control measure consisting of a sound barrier is installed. This sound barrier is necessary to ensure that the PSL at the nearest residence, which is located about 700 metres from the proposed plant, is not exceeded. 8. Access has consulted with local residents and landowners within 800 meters of the proposed temporary generators and notified all residents and landowners within 2,000 meters of the proposed temporary generators. Access states that no one has objected to the proposal. Access has also confirmed that the owners of the four occupied residences in visual proximity to the proposed facilities have been informed of Access proposed noise barrier, which consists of stacked sea containers, and that they do not object to the installation of this barrier. 9. Access also consulted with Alberta Environment regarding the potential need for an industrial facility approval pursuant to the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Alberta Environment has indicated that Access has met the necessary requirements and that approval under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act is not required. 10. Due to the nature of the application, a notice of application was not issued and, therefore, a hearing was not required as the Commission considered that its decision or order would not directly and adversely affect the rights of a person pursuant to Section 9 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act. 3 Findings 11. The Commission has reviewed the application and has determined that the technical, siting, emissions, environmental and noise aspects of the power plant have been met. Access participant involvement program has been conducted and there are no outstanding public or industry objections or concerns. 12. The Commission finds that the noise impact assessment submitted by Access fulfills the requirements of AUC Rule 012. 13. The Commission considers that the technical, siting, environmental and noise aspects of AUC Rule 007: Rules Respecting Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, and Industrial System Designations have been met. 2 AUC Decision 2011-424 (October 26, 2011)
Temporary Generation at Smoky Lake Pump Station Access Pipeline Inc. 14. The proposed temporary generation is intended to supply the load of Access Smokey Lake Pump Station until it is connected to the AIES via transmission lines. The Commission finds that the application sufficiently addresses Access need for temporary generation that would allow it to build and operate the pump station. 15. Based on the foregoing, the Commission considers the project to be in the public interest in accordance with Section 17 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act. 4 Decision 16. Pursuant to sections 11 and 18 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, the Commission approves the application and grants Access the approvals set out in Appendix 1 Power Plant Approval No. U2011-380 October 26, 2011, and Appendix 2 Connection Order No. U2011-381 October 26, 2011 (Appendices 1 and 2 will be distributed separately). Dated on October 26, 2011. The Alberta Utilities Commission (original signed by) Neil Jamieson Commission Member AUC Decision 2011-424 (October 26, 2011) 3