CALGARY, ALBERTA (December 7, 2012)
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has approved AltaLink’s Western Alberta Transmission Line (WATL) route. AltaLink submitted a preferred and alternate solution for the project. The AUC has decided the preferred route has the lowest overall impact. More than 60 per cent of the approved route parallels existing transmission lines.
“We are pleased the AUC considered the incredible amount of input provided by Albertans in our application,” said Scott Thon, AltaLink President and CEO. “Since January 2010, we’ve had more than 4,500 discussions with stakeholders through open houses, information centres, one-on-one consultations, phone calls and written correspondence.”
This line connects the Genesee area west of Edmonton to the Langdon area east of Calgary, ensuring Albertans have access to the most reliable and affordable supply of electricity.
“In the last 20 years, Alberta has welcomed more than one million new residents and our demand for electricity has doubled,” added Thon. “This line is critical to ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the transmission system – avoiding system congestion and allowing the competitive power generation market to work to the benefit of all Albertans.”
Construction is projected to begin in January with site preparation. It is expected to take about two years with the line in service in the spring of 2015.
The AUC’s decision can be found on its website here. For more information about AltaLink or the Western Alberta Transmission Line go to AltaLink.ca/WesternLine.
AltaLink’s transmission system efficiently delivers electricity to 85% of Albertans. Dedicated to meeting the growing need for electricity, AltaLink connects Albertans to renewable, reliable and low-cost power. With a commitment to community and environment, AltaLink is ensuring the transmission system will support Albertans’ quality of life for years to come. Learn more at www.altalink.ca.
For more information please contact:
AltaLink Management Ltd. – Media Relations
Leanne Niblock
Manager, Communications
Phone: 403.267.2110
Cell: 403.801.2363
Leanne.Niblock@AltaLink.ca