The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) is getting closer to making a decision on the route for the proposed Fort McMurray West 500-kV Transmission Project.
“We received the application from Alberta PowerLine and we will be holding a hearing on June 6,” Amanda Brinker, communications specialist in the chief executive division of AUC, said, adding that a notice had been sent out on Dec. 29, to the approximately 2,000 residents along the proposed transmission line’s path.
“We are encouraging anyone that feels they may be directly or adversely affected by the line to participate in the AUC’s review of Alberta PowerLine’s application to ensure the Commission has all of the relevant information before they make a decision on the routing of the line,” she said.
According to Brinker, five information sessions have been scheduled ahead of the hearing and all begin at 7 p.m. in the last week of January.
“These sessions will be presentation-style information sessions on how to be involved or to get funding in order to be involved in the review process,” she said.
Sometimes, Brinker said, the high costs of participating in these types of things can be intimidating and preclusive.
“There is funding available for landowners to get lawyers or expert witnesses that can speak to their concerns,” she said. “We try to make it as level a playing field as possible. Obviously Alberta PowerLine will have their own lawyers and witnesses.”
Of the two routes proposed, the western route that would bring the transmission line through Barrhead is the preferred one, according to Brinker. “The eastern route through Westlock is the alternative.”
“We want people that are interested in participating in the review process in June to file an informal submission by February 12,” Brinker said, explaining that contact information, names and concerns are important. “It will give us an idea of how long the hearing should be and what the main issues are, and whether it would be more efficient to group similar opinions together.”
“Often people have the same issues – EMS, land value, visual impact, et cetera,” she said, adding that it can get a little bit redundant when the same arguments are heard over and over again.
“Many of these people have been dealing with Alberta PowerLine and their consultation process for a year or more,” Brinker said. “There are two routes and the western route is preferred. This is the point that we are at, where a decision has been made. That’s why we are having the hearing in June.”
The first information session will be held at the Manly Goodwill Community Hall in Manly Corner on January 25, the second, on Jan. 26, at the Seniors Drop-In Centre in Barrhead, and the third, in Westlock on Jan. 27, will be held at the Westlock &District Community Hall.
The fourth session, to be held at the Wabasca Inn in Wabasca on Jan. 28, and the fifth and final session will be at the Sawridge Inn &Conference Centre, on Jan. 29, in Fort McMurray. All the sessions begin at 7 p.m.
To learn more about the applications and review process, residents are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions or to contact the AUC directly at (780) 427-4903.
