I would like to let you know my thoughts regarding the recent announcement of the preferred and alternate routes for Heartland Transmission Project.
The preferred East TUC route impacts the largest number of residences within 800m of the edge of the right-of-way. 4656 residents will be impacted by the East TUC route compared to 3331 by the East route and only 302 by the alternate West route. I and Councillor Thiele have written to EPCOR on behalf of the residents of Ward 6, who will be directly impacted by this project, and expressed our disappointment with this decision.
We are at a loss to understand why a route that impacts more residents was selected as a preferred route.
We also note that the East TUC route passes through a major urban centre having the greatest visual impact on our communities. We believe that the construction of these huge transmission lines will alter the aesthetics of our communities forever unless the transmission lines are constructed underground.
Please note that on August 24, 2009, Mayor Stephen Mandel sent a letter to Premier Stelmach indicating Council’s concern and stating a preference that high voltage power transmission lines of this magnitude within the City of Edmonton be installed underground; particularly in proximity residential areas.
On September 2, 2009, Edmonton City Council passed a motion that, in part, directed that the Mayor send a letter to EPCOR/AltaLink indicating Council’s opposition to the construction of 500KV or higher voltage lines within the City of Edmonton unless the power transmission lines are buried.
The stakeholder requested underground option will be included in the application to the Alberta Utilities Commission in the spring. If the AUC decides not to support the stakeholder requested underground option, we hope that EPCOR/AltaLink will be prepared to honour City Council’s motion to construct these power lines underground.
Heartland Transmission Project has been an ongoing concern and we will continue to advocate on your behalf in order to find a satisfactory solution to the matter.
