Discussion Guide. Benvoulin Substation Project.

Transcription

1 Discussion Guide Benvoulin Substation Project

2 A Growing Region South Central Kelowna has experienced substantial growth over the last ten years. FortisBC is enhancing the electrical power supply system to ensure that customers have a long term, reliable power supply to service that residential and business growth. Continuing development planned in South East Kelowna, South Kelowna, Central Kelowna and the Lower Mission are projected to further increase local demand for electrical power. The Benvoulin Substation Project is a key component in meeting that demand. With electrical load growth forecast to increase, the existing substations in the Rutland and Lower Mission areas will be beyond their capacity to supply reliable power in the next five years. A new substation is required to provide additional capacity as well as back up to existing infrastructure in the event of an outage or a major system component malfunction. The Project KLO Road FortisBC is proposing to construct a new substation on the southwest corner of of Benvoulin Road and Casorso Road, and upgrade existing power lines to connect the substation to the existing system. There are a number of reasons FortisBC is proposing this location. The site allows necessary access to the existing transmission line corridor and reduces the number of additional power lines required to connect the new substation to the power grid; Lakeshore Road Gordon Drive Casorso Road Proposed Site Location Michaelbrook Ranch Golf Course Benvoulin Road Swamp Road Mission Creek Golf Club Casorso Road It is close to a projected load centre; and The substation would be ideally distanced from the other two existing substations in the Rutland and Lower Mission areas to provide the necessary backup power in the event of an outage.

3 Benvoulin Substation Alternatives FortisBC will be including an alternate site located on the south side of Casorso on the west side of Priest Creek in the application to the BC Utilities Commission. This site is a viable technical option, but it is not FortisBC s preferred site for the following reasons: Swamp Road Casorso Road Proposed Alternate Site Location More complex construction would be required and the site is further away from the load centre; Gordon Drive DeHart Road Additional power lines will be required because it is further away from existing infrastructure; Additional environmental mitigation would be required due to the close proximity of the proposed substation to Priest Creek; and Cost of the project and ultimately the FortisBC customer rate impact are projected to be higher than the preferred project option. FortisBC also examined several alternatives to the Benvoulin Substation Project, including upgrades to the existing substations in Rutland and the Lower Mission. These upgrades were determined to not be technically viable. Based on preliminary engineering, the addition of a new substation is the most technically feasible way to provide safe, reliable power and backup to all customers in the area. Electric and Magnetic Fields Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) are found everywhere that electricity is used - from household wiring and appliances to power lines. FortisBC recognizes the public concern with EMF and is committed to the health, safety and welfare of the public and our employees. FortisBC is sensitive to customer concerns regarding electrical facilities. In all locations around the substation site, EMF levels associated with this specific project will be within the public exposure guidelines supported by the World Health Organization, a respected authority on EMF research. EMF measurement in milligrams (mg) Guideline World Health Organization endorsed guideline Benvoulin Substation Project Maximum EMF at the substation fence line

4 Project The Environment Sustaining and enhancing the environment is a priority for FortisBC. The Benvoulin Substation Project Team includes environmental specialists who understand the local environment including native plants and risk of invasive weeds, and environmental safety. Project planners will consider all possible environmental impacts identified through public and stakeholder input and include this information in the application submitted to the BC Utilities Commission. Local, provincial, and federal government authorities, agencies, and organizations will be consulted during development of the project plan. Substation Aesthetics FortisBC is making efforts to make substations near communities as unobtrusive as possible while still providing necessary electrical infrastructure where it is required. Possible techniques to ensure visual quality include the use of natural vegetation to screen the substation from view, selection of a site that is the right size to allow an appropriate buffer between the station and other properties and roadways, and other techniques determined during the planning process based on specific site characteristics and public input. The Benefits Preferred site location substation view to the south A new substation will provide the community and the region with more flexibility to supply current and future energy needs and support development planned for the area. The project will also provide reliable electrical backup for existing substations, reducing the risk of prolonged power outages. Safe, reliable electrical supply is essential to support community and regional development in the area.

5 The Process FortisBC is currently engaged in public and stakeholder consultation for the proposed Benvoulin Substation Project. Once public feedback about the preferred and alternate locations is compiled, FortisBC will be submitting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application to the BC Utilities Commission. This application is then reviewed by the BC Utilities Commission by either an oral or written public process. Following approval, the project would take approximately one year to complete. For more information on the BC Utilities Commission, visit Dialogue FortisBC is committed to open dialogue with customers, stakeholders and First Nations. The Benvoulin Substation Project Team hosted a public open house in November 2007 and is hosting another open house in January 2008 so local residents and stakeholders can learn more about the project and discuss why it is needed. Feedback received throughout this consultation also provides opportunities to improve the project plan. FortisBC will keep stakeholders updated on the project and is open to discussions with any person or group interested in the project. The objective is to put forward a substation option that balances environmental, social, and economic impacts. FortisBC s preferred option must be a cost-effective solution for customers and a long-term investment for the energy needs of the Kelowna area. Public input is vital in meeting this objective.

6 FortisBC Inc. FortisBC is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electrical service to communities across the southern interior of British Columbia. As part of this commitment, FortisBC plans to invest $500 million in electrical system upgrades and other improvements over the next five years to increase system reliability, service, and safety and provide for expected population and business growth in the Okanagan, Boundary, and Kootenay areas. For more information on major infrastructure enhancements that are underway throughout FortisBC s service area, visit. For more information about the Benvoulin Substation Project please contact: FORTIS ( ) projects@fortisbc.com /benvoulinproject.html FortisBC Inc. is a Canadian owned electric utility operating in the southern interior of British Columbia.