Electricity at a glance

GENERATIONATCO Power

TransAlta Capital Power Corporation

ENMAX Energy Wind turbines

Cogeneration plants

TRANSMISSIONAltaLink

ATCO Electric ENMAX Power (Calgary)

EPCOR (Edmonton)

SUBSTATIONAltaLink

ATCO Electric ENMAX Power (Calgary)

EPCOR (Edmonton)

DISTRIBUTIONFortisAlberta ATCO Electric

ENMAX Power (Calgary) EPCOR (Edmonton) Rural Electrification

Associations

RETAILERSDirect Energy

ENMAX (Calgary) EPCOR Energy (Edmonton)

Just Energy Alberta City of Lethbridge Utilities

YOU

Generating facilities convert various forms of

energy into electric power.

Transmission lines connect the power produced

at generating facilities to

substations.

Substations are the connection points between

transmission and distribution

systems.

Distribution lines carry electricity to homes, farms and businesses.

Retailers give consumers a

choice of electricity service

providers.

Electricity is delivered to

homes, farms and businesses.

Public consultation

Your involvement is important to us.

AltaLink understands that landowners, occupants and residents have information we need to consider when evaluating potential routes.

Input from affected stakeholders is very important to the process of selecting the route with the lowest overall impact.

We will work with you to ensure your questions and concerns are understood and responded to.

After this preliminary stage of consultation we will use your input to refine route options and will consult with you again about these refined options in the winter of 2010.

One-on-one consultation

To set up a one-one-one consultation please talk to an AltaLink representative or call us toll-free at 1-877-269-5903.

Our information centre also provides the opportunity to meet with AltaLink representatives at times convenient for you. The information centre is scheduled to be open from 12 - 8 p.m. and is located at 60-1825 Bomford Crescent SW.

The information centre will be open the following dates:

Thursday, August 12

Friday, August 13

Saturday August 14

Thursday, August 19

Friday, August 20

Saturday, August 21

Key players

AltaLink

AltaLink is an independent company that owns and operates approximately 11,800 kilometres of transmission lines and 270 substations. We provide electric service to more than 85 per cent of Albertans and own the majority of the transmission system in central and southern Alberta.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)

The AESO is an independent, not-for-profit entity responsible for the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. The AESO determines the need for transmission reinforcement and directs Transmission Facility Owners, such as AltaLink, to submit a Facility Application for permitting and licensing to construct and operate transmission facilities.

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)

The AUC is a quasi-judicial agency that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. The AUC is the provincial regulator responsible for reviewing Facility Applications. AUC approval is required before construction of facilities can occur.

Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement Project

Alberta’s electrical grid needs more capacity to make room for power generated from new wind farm projects proposed throughout southern Alberta. New transmission lines are required to support this growth and collectively these projects make up the Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement Project (SATR).

The Medicine Hat 138 kV Project is included in the SATR. The AESO filed the need for SATR in a formal application with the AUC in December 2008. The AUC completed a public hearing in June 2009 in Lethbridge to review the need for these projects. The AUC approved the need for these projects in September 2009.

Substations500 kV

Wind Interest Zones

Potential Areas For Transmission Development

Crowsnest Pass

Canmore

Brooks

Taber

Okotoks

Fort Macleod

Strathmore

High River

Cochrane

Redcliff

Cardston

Vulcan

Coaldale

Claresholm

Pincher Creek

Banff

Magrath

Bassano

Nanton

Bow Island

Raymond

Turner Valley

Vauxhall

Milk River

Picture ButteGranum

Black Diamond

Stavely

Foremost

Calgary

Lethbridge

Medicine Hat

Airdrie

NID Approved 240 kV Double Circuit

Rivers

Cities

AESO Preferred Option for Transmission Reinforcement in Southern Alberta

BritishColumbia

Canada/United States Border

Saskatchewan

240 kV138 kV69 kV

Project overview

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MEDICINEHAT REDCLIFF

South

Saskatchewan River

UV41

UV3

UV524

UV523

UV41A

UV1

UV887

Roytal

Bowmanton

Bullshead

Veinerville

DesertBlume

Seven Persons

Dunmore

Bowmanton244S

CHAPPICE LAKE649S

BULLSHEAD523S

MEDICINE HAT41S

The Medicine Hat 138 kV Transmission Project includes:

• A new 138 kV double circuit transmission line from the existing Bullshead Substation to the proposed Bowmanton Substation

• Upgrades to the existing single circuit 138 kV transmission line between the existing Medicine Hat Substation and the existing Chappice Lake Substation area by removing the existing line and constructing a new double circuit 138 kV line

• Some structures may be removed, and some new structures added in the immediate area around both the Bullshead Substation and Medicine Hat Substation

• A new 138 kV single circuit transmission line approximately 800 metres in length connecting the proposed Bowmantion Substation to the existing Chappice Lake Substation

• Additions to the proposed Bowmanton Substation and existing Medicine Hat, Bullshead and Chappice Lake Substations to accommodate the proposed new transmission lines

Landowner compensation

AltaLink is committed to providing fair and reasonable compensation to landowners who may have transmission facilities on their property.

We provide compensation for easements and Annual Structure Payments (ASP) for the land used by our transmission facilities.

Information regarding compensation and the easement acquisition process will be available throughout the consultation process.

Environmental evaluation

The environmental evaluation involves reviewing available databases, maps and other references along with field surveys. It examines:

• Provincial fisheries, wildlife and vegetation inventories

• Alberta natural heritage and cultural area inventories

• Wetlands and water body data

• Environmental literature

• Aerial and roadside reconnaissance of potential routes

• Public input and regulatory consultation

• Rare plant and vegetation surveys

• Wetland and watercourse surveys

• Wildlife surveys

• Soil and geo-technical assessments

The environmental evaluation will help define mitigation measures to prevent or reduce potential environmental impacts.

Route identification process

This diagram shows how we identify potential route options.

Environment

How does AltaLink consider the environment in project planning?

• Incorporate environmental evaluation results into route selection process

• Avoid environmentally sensitive areas

• Where avoidance is not possible, develop mitigation plans to minimize disturbance

• Parallel existing corridors such as roads, pipelines, power lines and quarter lines where applicable

• Ensure routes meet all current environmental regulations

Route identification criteria

The table below lists the general criteria we take into consideration when identifying and refining potential routes.

Criteria Examples

Agricultural • loss of crops • reduced efficiency

of field operations

Residential • loss of developable lands and constraints on development

• proximity to residences

Environmental • alteration of natural areas and interference with outdoor educational opportunities

Cost • construction costs and land acquisition costs

Electrical • reliability and reparability of the line

Visual • visual impact of structures and lines as seen from residences, farms, roads and recreational installations

Special considerations

• electrical interference with radio transmitting stations and other telecommunication equipment etc.

Please let us know if you think there are other important criteria we should consider when refining route options.

Project details

This project involves transmission line development in the Medicine Hat area.

• A new double circuit 138 kV (138,000 volts) transmission line approximately 45 to 55 kilometres in length, from the existing Bullshead Substation (located about three kilometres south-west of Desert Blume) to the proposed Bowmanton Substation (located on the east side of Range Road 43, south of Township Road 144). From the proposed Bowmanton Substation to Township Road 114, the eastern most proposed routing parallels a portion of the proposed East Medicine Hat to Whitla transmission line route.

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• A new single circuit 138 kV transmission line approximately 800 metres in length between the existing Chappice Lake Substation and the proposed Bowmanton Substation.

Project details – continued

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PROPOSED: 138kV SINGLE CIRCUIT POLE PROPOSED: 138kV DOUBLE CIRCUIT POLE

PROPOSED LINE 674L/675L

The proposed transmission structures will be spaced approximately 140 metres apart (460 feet).

Some route segments follow open and unopen road allowances. In these circumstances structures will typically be placed one metre within the area boundary. Where not on a road allowance a right-of-way 20 metres in width (65 feet) will be required.

• Upgrade the existing single circuit 138 kV transmission line between the existing Medicine Hat Substation (located near the Trans-Canada Highway and Power House Road) and the existing Chappice Substation (located east of Range Road 43, and south of Township Road 144, approximately 800 metres from the proposed Bowmanton Substation) to double circuit 138 kV. The rebuilt line will connect to the proposed Bowmanton Substation, approximately 27 kilometres in length.

2010-06-15 4:17:14 PM W:\Project1\62294 SATR Stgae 1.E Med Hat To Whitla\Drawings\0964L\Orig\max 138Kv brochure\138Kv brochure R1.dgn

17.0

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m -

23.5

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4m 4m

5m

1m 1m 1m

EXISTING: 138kV SINGLE CIRCUITWOOD POLE

17.0

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23.5

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PROPOSED: 138kV SINGLE CIRCUIT POLE PROPOSED: 138kV DOUBLE CIRCUIT POLE

PROPOSED LINE 674L/675L

Substations

• Improvements to the existing Medicine Hat, Bullshead and Chappice Lake substations will occur on property within the substation fenced area.

• Electrical equipment, and two transformers, will be added within the fenced boundaries of the proposed Bowmanton Substation. These transformers will adjust voltage levels from 240 kV to 138 kV and allow movement of power along the wires. The proposed Bowmanton Substation is part of the Cassils to Bowmanton project.

Bullshead Substation

Chappice Lake Substation

Medicine Hat Substation

Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)

AltaLink’s position on EMF

AltaLink recognizes that some people are concerned about EMF and we treat those concerns very seriously.

Based on more than 30 years of research, national and international health agencies have not concluded that EMF associated with high voltage transmission lines will adversely affect your health or the health of plants and animals.

They have not recommended the general public take steps to limit their everyday exposure to EMF. AltaLink will ensure any problems caused by interference from our facilities are corrected and all applicable guidelines are met.

Where can you find EMF?

• Earth’s magnetic field

• electric facilities

• appliances

• building wiring

Common questions around electrical effects include:

Will there be TV/radio interference?

There is no impact on cable TV. Other impacts can typically be mitigated.

Will Global Positioning Systems be affected?

There is typically no impact.

Will there be wireless internet interference?

There is typically no impact.

Will there be any affect to cardiac pacemakers?

Most have shielding, but we can provide answers to you about the specific pacemaker model.

What about audible noise?

AltaLink meets AUC noise guidelines.

Building and fence induction?

This is mitigated through grounding we install during construction.

What about stray voltage?

This is not caused by transmission lines; it is more typically caused by distribution lines or local wiring.

Proposed project schedule

Project cost

The total estimated cost for this project is approximately $64 million dollars, which will be an average of 6.4 cents per month on the typical residential utility bill.

Summer 2010 First stage of consultation includes open houses, information centres and one-on-one consultations as requested by stakeholders

Summer-Fall 2010 Use stakeholders feedback to help us refine potential routes

Fall 2010 Second stage of consultation includes open houses, information centres and one-on-one consultation with stakeholders affected by the refined routes

Fall 2010 Anticipated application filing with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)

Thank you! Your feedback is important to us.

To learn more about this project visit www.albertaelectricityfuture.ca/satr, or contact us:

• Toll-free: 1-877-269-5903

• E-mail satrinfo@altalink.ca

To learn more about AltaLink visit www.altalink.ca