Strathcona County to intervene on behalf of community in Heartland Transmission Project
November 3, 2010
Strathcona County will be actively engaged in Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) hearings on the proposed Heartland Transmission Project. The goal – to ensure the AUC considers public health and environmental concerns in choosing the route and method of construction of high voltage lines.
Two routes have been 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 has 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.
“The final decision on this project rests with the AUC. As your Council; however, we absolutely have a responsibility to represent the best interests of our community in this matter,” says Mayor Linda Osinchuk.
“We will do that by ensuring the AUC has all of the relevant evidence it needs to determine the location and manner of construction of the proposed line, and by arguing that any portion of the line to run adjacent to densely populated areas must be constructed underground.”
Hearings are scheduled at this time to begin in April 2011. Details on the process and confirmed dates will be available from the AUC website at: www.auc.ab.ca under the Heartland Transmission Project link. Leading to the formal hearings, Strathcona County will prepare its evidence, sharing progress at www.strathcona.ca/transmission.
Residents can still voice their individual concerns through a petition available in Sherwood Park at both Millennium Place and County Hall receptions. Mr. Dave Quest, MLA for Strathcona, has agreed to present those signatures received by November 15, 2010 to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
-30-
Contact: Mayor Linda Osinchuk, 780-464-8000Last updated: Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Page ID: 6797