Highlights:

Table of contents:

Redacted hearing transcripts   
Accessing the application
Formal public hearing: Three options for participation
Process schedule
Process meeting November 2, 2010
Background:
    Description of the application
    Role of the Alberta Utilities Commission
    Critical Transmission Infrastructure
    Public consultations by the proponents
    Enhanced AUC process for the Heartland Transmission Project
Additional information

Note: To protect the privacy of individuals participating in the Heartland proceeding, personal information has been redacted from the transcript. Registered parties may view the full version of the transcript by logging on to the Digital Data Submission System (DDS) (click to access).

Accessing the application:

The Heartland Transmission Project application is currently available for viewing on the AUC's electronic filing services (e-filing services). Only those parties that have registered to participate in the application have access to all documents filed. Persons who are not registered participants will not have access to any documents that contain personal information.

	Note: click on application no. 1606609 on left side of page once you access the proceeding

For guidelines on how to view the application through our e-filing services, please see the AUC Electronic Filings Services brochure. For assistance with using the AUC’s e-filing services contact our system services group at 780-643-1055 or systemservices@auc.ab.ca.

There were three options for participation in the Commission’s consideration of the Heartland application.

Option 1: Formal public hearing

The Commission held a formal public hearing on the Heartland application from April 11 to May 18, 2011 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre

Registered participants were able to participate in the public hearing by presenting evidence, cross-examining witnesses and submitting argument. 

Those intending to present documentary evidence at the hearing had to file the documentary evidence with their submission. The documentary evidence had to accompany a statement setting out the qualifications of the person who prepared the documentary evidence or under whose direction or control the evidence was prepared.

Participants were also able to make an oral submission up to five minutes in length to the Commission at the community hearing session scheduled in Sherwood Park on April 20, 2011 at the Coast Edmonton East hotel.

 Option 3: Written submission

Participants were also able to file a written submission with the Commission that expressed their view(s) on the Heartland project.

Process schedule:

Following the process meeting on November 2, 2010, the Commission issued Decision 2010-523 in which it set the following process schedule for the Heartland application based on feedback from participants:

Process meeting:

The Commission held a process meeting on November 2, 2010 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

The purpose of the meeting was to gather information from people interested in participating in the public hearing on the Heartland application. Interested parties had an opportunity to make a brief appearance before the Commission at the process meeting.

The following documents provide further information on the process meeting:

• Agenda
• Information sheet
• Process meeting transcript (personal information removed - please see below for more information)

As a public body subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the AUC has a legal responsibility to protect the personal information of individuals. The AUC is allowing members of the general public to access the transcript of the Heartland Transmission Project application process meeting. However, in order to protect the privacy of individuals, the AUC has blacked out landowner names, addresses, and other personal information.

The AUC is committed to ensuring that safeguards are in place to prevent unreasonable disclosure of personal information, while still meeting its obligations as a transparent public body.

For those parties participating in the proceeding, an unaltered version of the transcript is available electronically. Registered parties can log on to e-filing services or contact the AUC at info@auc.ab.ca or 403-592-4500 to access the transcript. Please see the AUC's E-Filing Services brochure (click to access) for instructions for setting up an e-filing account.

Background:

Description of the application:

The project consists of the following three main components:

• Construct 240/500-kilovolt (kV) Heartland 12S substation to be located in the northeast quarter of Section 20, Township 56, Range 22, west of the Fourth Meridian;
• Construct 500-kV double-circuit transmission line 1206L/1212L connecting the 500-kV system on the south side of Edmonton to the proposed Heartland 12S substation; and
• Construct 240-kV double-circuit transmission line 1054L/1061L connecting the 240-kV system in the area to proposed Heartland 12S substation.

Please see the notice of application (click to view) for a more detailed description of the application or see the Accessing the application section on this page to access the full application on our e-filing services.

The need for the Heartland Transmission Project was approved by the Alberta Legislature in the Electric Statutes Amendment Act as one of Alberta’s critical transmission infrastructure projects. Therefore, the need for this project and all associated facilities required to connect it to Alberta’s interconnected electric system has already been determined by the act and is not subject to AUC approval.

Click here to view AUC maps for the proposed Heartland Transmission Project.

Click here to view a video simulation of the project (EPCOR/AltaLink filed this video in their application).

Role of the Alberta Utilities Commission:

Companies that propose to construct electric transmission facilities in Alberta, such as the Heartland Transmission Project, must apply to the Commission for approval. When reviewing the utility's application, the Commission considers the public interest bearing in mind social, environmental and economic effects.

The AUC is committed to ensuring that every Albertan whose rights may be directly and adversely affected by an application for these facilities is informed of the application and has the opportunity to have their concerns heard, considered and understood.

After considering the facilities application, the AUC has three options in reaching a decision: approve the application as applied for, approve it with conditions, or deny it.

Concerns relating exclusively to compensation for land usage are not dealt with by the AUC. Please contact Alberta Surface Rights Board at 780-427-2444 with compensation issues.

Critical Transmission Infrastructure:

The proposed Heartland Transmission Project is the first of the Alberta critical transmission infrastructure projects set out in the Electric Utilities Act (amended with the passing of Bill 50 on November 26, 2009) to proceed to consultation and eventual hearing before the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC or Commission). Under the Electric Utilities Act the Government of Alberta approved the need for four critical transmission infrastructure projects, including the Heartland Transmission Project. The need for the Heartland project will not be addressed in the AUC’s proceeding.

Public consultations by the proponents:

Prior to making an application to the Commission, AltaLink and EPCOR were required to conduct effective public consultation in the area of the proposed transmission project so that concerns may be raised, properly addressed and if possible, resolved. The AUC has set out requirements for applicants to follow regarding public consultation in Rule 007, Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, and Industrial System Designations.