Ells River Substation Telecommunication Tower

Transcription

1 January 2013 Why are you receiving this project information package? We are advising neighbouring landholders, agencies and other interested parties about plans to construct the Ells River substation telecommunication tower located north of the Dover River in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on the southwest quarter of Section W4M (please see site plan on page 3). This package will provide you with important project information and outlines our public consultation process. We invite any comments, questions or concerns you may have. Please refer to page four for our contact information and details. Regulatory Process Project Need and Details If approved, the new Ells River substation telecommunication tower will be located on the planned Ells River substation site. The tower is needed to support and enhance ATCO Electric s radio and data communication network. The project will include the construction of a new telecommunicaton tower, the installation of related electrical and telecommunications equipment, the construction of a control building, as well as the installation of a 125 kilowatt propane backup generator. The tower will be a self-supported steel lattice tower approximately 27 m tall. The tower will support 3 antennas: 2 VHF/UHF antennas and 1 microwave antenna. Details may vary slightly with final plans. ATCO Electric is seeking approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), Industry Canada and other agencies as required for the construction and operation of the proposed telecommunication tower. For more information about how you can participate in the approval process required by the AUC, please refer to the enclosed brochure entitled Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications. A separate approval process is required by Industry Canada. To participate in this process please refer to page four. General information relating to antenna systems is provided on Industry Canada s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website ( What s Included In This Package Project information brochure Reply form and postage paid envelope Alberta Utilities Commission brochure Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications 1

2 Design Requirements The tower will meet Transport Canada aeronautical safety requirements. The tower will also operate in compliance with Health Canada s Safety Code 6 for the protection of the general public and local radio environment. Typical Self-Supported Steel Lattice Tower Design and construction will meet applicable industry standards and will follow good engineering practices, including structural integrity. Backup Generator Installation A backup generator is required at the Ells River substation telecommunication tower site. Installation of the generator is needed to provide emergency power to maintain communication systems for the site. The scheduled operation of the generator will be limited to approximately one hour per month. The proposed 125 kilowatt (kw) generator will be housed in a control building 6.8 metres (m) by 4.10 m in size. Propane tanks will be installed alongside the control building. Installation of the generator and associated facilities will be within the boundaries of the new tower site. Impacts No significant adverse environmental effects are expected from the telecommunication tower. The requirement for an environmental assessment of the telecommunication tower site under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act has yet to be determined for this project. Due to the small size of the backup generator and infrequent usage, no environmental impacts are anticipated. Neighbouring landholders may notice some increased traffic and noise during construction. 2

3 Site Plan Ells River Substation Telecommunication Tower Site Plan 3

4 Proposed Timeline* January 2013 Consultation with landowners and agencies April 2013 Submission of the Facilities Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) September 2013 If approval is granted by the AUC, construction will commence April 2014 Facilities completed and operating *Timing may be adjusted to reflect final plans. ATCO Electric Albertans count on us for the safe, reliable and costeffective delivery of electricity to their homes, farms and businesses. We have delivered electricity to Albertans for more than 85 years. Headquartered in Edmonton, ATCO Electric has 38 service offices serving nearly two-thirds of the province in northern and east-central Alberta. We help keep the lights on across the province by building, operating and maintaining more than 72,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines. We also operate an additional 10,000 kilometres of distribution power lines on behalf of Rural Electrification Associations. We are committed to responsible development and environmental practices. We conduct an open and transparent consultation process, carefully considering the impacts to landowners, communities and the environment. How to Submit Written Public Comments: The closing date for submissions is: February 25, 2012 Contact Us Your comments and concerns are important to us. Please contact us toll free or direct: Laine Watson, Project Planner ATCO Electric Street Edmonton, AB T5J 2V6 Phone: Fax: Website: Please provide a copy of your submission to ATCO Electric (address on the left) and the following organizations: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo 9909 Franklin Ave. Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K4 Industry Canada Suite 400, Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 0M9 spectrum.calgary@ic.gc.ca 4

5 REPLY FORM ELLS RIVER SUBSTATION TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2V6 CONTACT INFORMATION Date (DD/MM/YYYY): First Name: Last Name: Company/Organization Name (if applicable): Mailing Address: Please help us identify new contacts You were contacted about this project because ATCO Electric identified you or your company/organization as having a land interest in the vicinity of the project. Is there anyone else associated with your property, such as other owners, renters or occupants, who we should also contact? If so, please provide the name(s) and contact information below: City/Town: Province: Postal Code: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Business Phone: Fax: I would like to receive all future correspondence about this project by (If this is your preference, please check the box) ABOUT PRIVACY: The information on this form is being collected to help identify potential concerns with proposed alterations and the location of proposed power transmission facilities, to facilitate communications about the project, and to comply with our obligations to the Alberta Utilities Commission. This information may be provided to the Alberta Utilities Commission, other electric facility owners or the Surface Rights Board. Information relating to the need for the facilities may be provided to the Alberta Electric System Operator. Enquiries or concerns about ATCO Electric's privacy policies can be directed to Tony Melnychuk, privacy officer (address above), phone Please share any comments or concerns that you have about the project: HOW TO SUBMIT: Please use the enclosed envelope to return by mail or fax to If you would like more information about the project, please contact us toll free or by consultation@atcoelectric.com.