A controversial power line that may have been routed through southern Alberta’s scenic Porcupine Hills has been halted, at least temporarily, following a ruling from the Alberta Utilities Commission.
The AUC said it had not approved the need for the proposed 240 kV Fidler line planned by Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), the province’s electricity planner.
AltaLink, the transmission line builder for the project, had mapped out several proposed routes for the line but the final route had not yet been selected.
The Livingstone Landowners Group, which represents more than 100 landowners and ratepayers in the region, objected to the planning of the line and the route through the Porcupine Hills.
It has lobbied for a route along existing power line corridors.
In a Dec. 2 news release, the LLG said it “has won a major victory for responsible electricity development in southern Alberta but expects a long war.”
It said the decision means AESO must file a new needs assessment for the line.
LLG spokesperson Andrew Nikiforuk did not return calls by press time. In the news release, the LLG said the line “would effectively industrialize and fragment the Porcupine Hills, the Oldman River Basin and the Livingstone Range,” and said if AESO amends its plan, it must properly consult with landowners.
Dawn Delaney, senior communication advisor for AESO, said Dec. 5 that next steps are now being considered.
“We will certainly undertake whatever steps necessary to insure that the needs of the transmission development in the area are met,” she said.
“That project specifically is needed to facilitate the connection of wind farms in the general area of Pincher Creek. We’ve received connection requests in the area … with a combined capacity of more than 1,000 megawatts of wind generation to be added to the grid.”
