The Alberta Utilities Commission decision on the Heartland Transmission Line was released November 1, 2011. I have been responding to many constituents and the media on this important issue.

Many of you know that I have been working on this file for some time.  As I researched and gathered information on transmission, I quickly determined that not enough technical knowledge was available on underground transmission lines.

On Monday, April 6, 2009, I was pleased to introduce Motion 504:

“Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly urge the government to immediately investigate the feasibility of constructing underground transmission lines to determine if they are a safe and viable option for transmitting high-voltage power”.

The motion received unanimous support of the Legislative Assembly.

I was certain that I was representing my constituents’ best interests to carry this initiative forward. The positive outcome was that we now know it is technically feasible for underground transmission in Alberta. What we do not know is the cost – there have been wide ranging estimates.  I have been stating at every opportunity given to me that we need to request companies that have experience in building underground lines to provide a RFP (Request for Proposals) to generate competitive quotes.

My column discusses my reaction to the AUC decision:

As MLA for Strathcona, and almost a lifelong County resident, to say I'm disappointed with this week's Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Decision would be an understatement.

I have spent hundreds of hours on this file and I have a thorough understanding of the facts and options. Frankly, I think it's unfortunate that past Strathcona County Councils have endorsed urban development right up to the boundary of the East Transportation Utility Corridor.

This land was purchased by Alberta Taxpayers for roads, pipelines and power lines. The last time a power line was proposed for the east TUC was in 1988 when the County and others successfully fought placement near Sherwood Park. The 240 kV lines ended up in the 17 Street TUC, filling it to capacity. Good news 23 years ago but those actions left our area open for today's project which is much larger. Having said that, a MLA is responsible to represent one’s constituents, and I don't believe the AUC's decision puts Strathcona residents first. 

Within the consultation process we were successful in influencing the outcome when one of the proposed routes through rural Strathcona was eliminated. Fortunately AltaLink and EPCOR dropped that application some time ago. 

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for the Heartland project. There is solid information and projections on future demand for electricity in north eastern Alberta including Fort McMurray.  Alberta cannot be the economic driver of Canada without huge amounts of power moving through a new grid. Oilsands and heavy oil production requires this grid (of which the Heartland line would be a part) to back up on-site or co-generation as well as allow those operations to put excess power back into the grid at certain times of the day.

The Alberta Electric System Operator’s (AESO) full report on estimated demand is available at www.aeso.ca. Although I was disappointed with last week’s confusing announcements on the ‘needs assessment’, I believe, regardless of a potential outcome, we would still need to build a new line of the same or similar capacity. 

This week's announcement was not just a disappointment, but also a surprise. How can the AUC possibly make a decision on underground technology without all the available facts? The major European Underground Cable Manufacturers are the world experts on emf’s, costs and reliability. They have not even been given the opportunity to quote on the project and I believe that should be the next step. 

The AUC hearings were a Judicial Process and I was, by law, not part of that process. They're over for now.

In my opinion the decision is flawed because all the facts on underground technology were not requested and considered. This decision needs to be appealed. 

Dave Quest is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Strathcona Constituency. If you have any comments or questions concerning this column or other provincial government issues, please contact Dave at his constituency office located at #168 – 2301 Premier Way, Sherwood Park, T8H 2K8. Telephone: 780.416.2492 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it