Response to AUC decision on Heartland Transmission Line project
November 1, 2011
Strathcona County Council today expressed disappointment with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) decision to locate overhead transmission lines in the EAST Transportation Utilities Corridor (TUC).
“Based on the evidence, this decision exposes some 15,000 residents to potential long-term health effects, and imposes an aesthetically unappealing overhead transmission design on our community,” says Mayor Linda Osinchuk. “We are saddened and concerned by a decision that appears to be more about cost than health.
“Strathcona County did everything within its power to ensure the community’s interests were well represented, and that the final decision considered environmental and health concerns. Unfortunately, Strathcona County did not have the final decision on this project – that was in the hands of the AUC.
“I’d like to recognize and commend the tremendous work of community members, who took a stand and got involved in a long and complex process. We’d also like to express our appreciation to our local MLAs for their support.
“Although the monopoles are a marginal improvement, we continue to believe that placing transmission lines underground is a viable option for addressing health impacts and concerns, and encourage the Government of Alberta to consider that approach for the well being of Albertans,” adds Mayor Osinchuk.
A decision of the AUC is subject to appeal on the basis of an error of law or jurisdiction. In light of the disappointing result, Strathcona County has asked its legal team to carefully review the decision to determine if viable grounds for an appeal may exist.
In addition to the potential for appeal, Strathcona County will be considering every other option which may be open to challenge the decision.
Contact:
Mayor Linda Osinchuk, 780-464-8000
BACKGROUNDER
Strathcona County was actively engaged in Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) hearings on the proposed Heartland Transmission Project. The goal – to ensure the AUC considered public health and environmental concerns in choosing the route and method of construction of high voltage lines.
Two routes were proposed to take power from coal-fired plants near Wabamum to Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. The route identified as preferred by the proponents – AltaLink and EPCOR - would see high-voltage transmission lines running through the transportation utility corridor west of Sherwood Park.
As part of its strategy, Strathcona County obtained intervener status, and contracted expert witnesses to present the best information available on public health and environmental impacts, as well as mitigation strategies. The latter include the cost and efficiency of an underground line.
Strathcona County engaged experts to provide evidence to the Commission in these areas:
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Negative environmental impacts associated with high voltage overhead transmission lines:
- increased incidences of avian mortality
- health and safety concerns, including possible health impacts associated with exposure to electro-magnetic fields (EMF) from overhead transmission lines
- Costs of constructing the transmission lines underground.
- Evidence from a routing expert indicating that the route with the least impact (in this case, the West Alternate Route) should be preferred.
Strathcona County argued strenuously in favour of burying the transmission lines as a viable means of mitigating concerns:
- Noted that the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) confirmed the cost of putting the lines underground would translate to less than an additional 43 cents on the average Alberta customer’s monthly bill.
- Submitted this cost was fair and reasonable to ensure that its residents and neighbours were not unduly impacted by this project.
Last updated: Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Page ID: 8504