Overview
The Alberta Utilities Commission is reviewing applications from Buffalo Plains Wind Farm Inc. to construct and operate the Buffalo Plains Wind Farm. The AUC issued a notice of application on January 13, 2021. After discovering an error in the AUC notice map issued January 13, 2021, the AUC re-issued the notice on March 3, 2021.
The
project would have a maximum generation capacity of 514.6 megawatts (MW),
consisting of 83 wind turbines with a nominal capacity of 6.2 MW each. The
proposed turbines have a hub height of 115 metres, a rotor diameter of 170
metres, and an overall height to blade tip of 200 metres. The project also
includes a project substation and overhead/underground collector lines.
The
potential turbine locations are shown in the map below. The project would be
located approximately two kilometres west of the Village of Lomond in Vulcan
County. Specifically, the project area would cover the following sections:
| Section | Township | Range | Meridian |
| 30, 31, 34 | 15 | 20 | W4M |
| 36 | 15 | 21
| W4M |
| 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 | 16 | 20 | W4M |
| 1, 25, 26, 27, 34, 36 | 16 | 21 | W4M |
| 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28 | 17 | 20 | W4M |
| 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14 | 17 | 21
| W4M
|
Detailed maps can be found in the eFiling system, or by visiting the applicant’s Buffalo Plains Wind Farm website.
Virtual information session
A video is available to provide
information about how you may become involved in this proceeding and the
funding that may be available to you to support your position, which includes
costs for legal representation and expert witnesses. The video is also available in PDF form.
The AUC also held a virtual question and answer session on February 17, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. to answer questions from registered participants.
The AUC's
facility decision index is also available to assist stakeholders in researching issues that are raised frequently during proceedings that consider applications for power plants (including wind, hydro and solar), transmission lines, gas utility pipelines and other facilities. This tool can be used to help stakeholders understand how the AUC has viewed similar issues in previously issued decisions.How to participate
If you wish to participate in this proceeding, please log in to the
eFiling System, go to Proceeding 26214, and register to participate under the “registered parties” tab and file a submission. Alternatively, please contact us at 310-4282 or
info@auc.ab.ca for more information or assistance with filing your submission. The lead application officer, Kloria Wen, can also be contacted at 403-592-4367 or by email atkloria.wen@auc.ab.ca. Submissions are were February 24, 2021.
Persons
(including individuals and corporations) who have rights that may be directly
and adversely affected by the AUC's decision on the applications are
legally entitled to participate in a public hearing to consider the
applications. This permission to participate in a hearing is referred to as
standing, and persons with standing are referred to as interveners.
For the purposes of this proceeding, the AUC generally considers that persons who own or reside on property
located within 2,000 metres of the proposed project boundary have rights that may be directly and
adversely affected by its decision on the applications and therefore have standing. Persons with standing will be
legally entitled to participate in the hearing process if they choose to, and
will qualify for intervener funding, which may include costs for legal
representation and expert witnesses.
Standing
for other participants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If the AUC receives an objection to a person’s request to participate or status
as an intervener, the AUC will make a decision on whether the person has
standing or is eligible for intervener costs.
All interveners are encouraged to consider whether to hire legal
representation, and prepare information requests and evidence, as early as
possible. Interveners with similar interests are encouraged to form groups, as
group participation reduces duplication of submissions and costs, and supports
an efficient hearing process.
Intervener funding
To make informed decisions in the public
interest, it is integral that the AUC receives the best possible information
and evidence from landowners and others participating in AUC hearings. The AUC
recognizes that many hearing participants may not have the expertise or
resources to prepare a complete submission or represent themselves at a
hearing.
If you are granted standing, you may qualify
for intervener funding to assist with costs of participating in a hearing,
including the costs associated with hiring a lawyer and expert witnesses. After
a hearing, you may apply to the AUC to be reimbursed for costs such as legal
fees, expert fees, hearing attendance, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Eligibility
to recover costs does not guarantee full recovery of these costs. The AUC
generally assesses costs claims on the basis of their reasonableness and direct
relation to the proceeding, contribution to a better understanding of the
issues, and lack of duplication with other parties. If you are granted
standing, you are encouraged to consider coordinating with other interveners
with similar concerns and interests to participate in the hearing as a group.
The AUC’s Rule 009: Rules on Local
Intervener Costs outlines the process and requirements for interveners to
request reimbursement of certain costs related to participating in a facility
proceeding or hearing.
Summarized process schedule
The Commission has resumed the process schedule for the proceeding, and established the following revised dates:
| Process step | Date |
| Deadline for Buffalo Plains Wind Farm's (BPWF's) reply evidence to Lomond Opposing Wind Projects Group | August 24, 2021 |
| Deadline for eligible interveners to file written evidence (Blood Tribe/Kainai, Siksika Nation, Brian Reeves and Shawn Bubel); persons with limited participation rights to file written submissions (nis'koo, Camille Pablo Russell, Wayne Wegner and Chinook Historical Association) | August 31, 2021 |
| Alternative arrangements for Elders and Indigenous knowledge holders to present oral evidence | Timing and location to be determined following receipt of comments and suggestions from participants. |
| Deadline for BPWF and Commission's information requests to Blood Tribe/Kainai and Siksika Nation; Brian Reeves and Shawn Bubel | September 14, 2021 |
| Deadline for Blood Tribe/Kainai and Siksika Nation; Brian Reeves and Shawn Bubel to respond to information requests | September 28, 2021 |
| Deadline for BPWF's reply evidence to Blood Tribe/Kainai and Siksika Nation; Brian Reeves and Shawn Bubel | October 12, 2021 |
| Commencement of oral hearing for all parties | October 19, 2021, 10 a.m. |
| Oral hearing dates (location and format to be determined) | October 19, 2021 to October 22, 2021 October 25, 2021 to October 29, 2021, and November 4, 2021 to November 5, 2021
|
The eFiling System
The eFiling System should be accessed to view the applications and the other documents the AUC will be considering in this proceeding. The system is also used to file submissions and evidence to participate in the proceeding.
To create an account, select "New account" and follow the steps to create a user ID and password. If you have any questions about how to use the system please
contact us at
info@auc.ab.ca or 310-4AUC.
Documents being considered in this proceeding can be found in the eFiling System (which requires log in). Once you have logged in, enter 26214 in the "go to" section at the top left corner of your screen.
