STRATHCONA AREA TRANSMISSION UPGRADE PROJECT

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1 STRATHCONA AREA TRANSMISSION UPGRADE PROJECT September 2017

2 ProjeCt InFormation You are receiving this information because you are a landowner, resident, business owner, or occupant of property near a proposed EPCOR electricity transmission project and we would like your input. Project overview This project involves upgrading the transmission system in Edmonton. We are proposing to construct a new 72 kilovolt (kv) above-ground transmission line from the Strathcona substation ( Street) to the Dome substation (2720 Parsons Road). See map on Page 5 for details. This upgrade will allow us to improve the reliability of our transmission system and reduce the risk of outages to our customers. As demand for power continues to grow within Edmonton, so does the need for transmission improvements like the one proposed by this project. What will it look like? We propose to build the transmission line using wood, steel or composite poles, ranging in height from approximately 18 to 26 metres. Portions of the route will be primarily single-circuit, meaning they will have three wires strung across them and one overhead shield wire on top. Portions of the routes under consideration follow existing distribution lines. For these sections, we propose to remove some of the current poles and install new poles that have the single circuit transmission line on top and the distribution line(s) below. This technique is called overbuild. See the illustration at right for an example of how an overbuilt line could look. Where the proposed transmission line turns corners or has to span larger distances, non-typical poles may be required. This may include the use of guy-wires and anchors as well as larger poles with wider bases. The proposed upgrades include: Constructing approximately 5 km of 72 kv above-ground transmission line from the Strathcona substation to the Dome substation Adding one 240 kv/72 kv transformer, one 240 kv circuit breaker, one 72 kv circuit breaker and associated switches and equipment to the Dome substation

3 TYPICAL transmission only Typical transmission and distribution overbuild TRANSMISSION LINE TRANSMISSION LINE DISTRIBUTION LINE These images are not to scale.

4 Proposed Route Options Factors in route selection During the process of determining potential routes, we take the following factors into consideration in an effort to find routes with lower levels of overall impact: Local stakeholders Environmental Electrical Cost Visual Special constraints Safety Existing infrastructure Only one transmission line will be built As shown on the map at right, we are considering a number of potential route options. We identified these route options because they generally follow existing linear disturbances such as roadways and existing overhead distribution utility lines. After receiving input from stakeholders and collectively considering the factors above, we will submit a Facility Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) that identifies a preferred route and any potential alternative routes for their review and consideration for approval. If the project is approved, the AUC will select one route for construction between the Strathcona and Dome substations. At this point, no preferred route has been selected. Preliminary routing scenarios have only been developed to facilitate stakeholder input, which will be an important factor in identifying the preferred route. Only one route will be built. The map shows route options currently under consideration, and in certain portions, options for building on one side of the road or the other. These route options will be refined based on public consultation. DOME Substation Upgrades The proposed transmission line will begin at the Strathcona substation and end at the Dome substation. To accommodate the proposed transmission line, upgrades are needed at the Dome substation. These proposed upgrades include adding: one 240 kv/72 kv transformer one 240 kv circuit breaker with associated disconnect switches one 72 kv circuit breaker with associated disconnect switches In order to install the new equipment, the fence will need to be expanded by approximately 7 metres by 6 meters on the east and south sides of the substation. The new section of fence will match the existing fence. Dome Substation 28 Ave LEGEND Parsons Rd Expanded substation fenceline New 72kV aerial transmission line Existing fence Proposed 240 kv and 72 kv circuit breakers Proposed 240 kv/72 kv transformer 27 Ave

5 GATEWAY BOULEVARD NW 99 STREET NW 98 STREET NW 97 STREET NW 101 STREET NW 92 STREET NW 95 STREET NW 93 STREET NW 93 STREET NW 92 STREET NW 91 STREET NW 91 STREET NW 91 STREET NW 56 AVENUE NW 56 Ave NW 56 AVENUE NW Whitemud Dr NW Strathcona Substation ") A1 48 AVENUE NW A2 45 AVENUE NW WHITEMUD DRIVE NW C1 47 Ave NW 47 AVENUE NW 45 Ave NW C2 54 AVENUE NW B1 51 Ave NW 51 AVENUE NW WHITEMUD DRIVE NW 95 STREET NW 94 STREET NW 43 AVENUE NW 93 STREET NW Whitemud Dr NW A3 42 AVENUE NW 42 Ave NW B2 41 AVENUE NW Calgary Trail Gateway Blvd 99 St NW 39 Ave NW 97 St NW 39 AVENUE NW 93 St NW 37 AVENUE NW 91 St NW A4 35 AVENUE NW B3 35 AVENUE NW 34 Ave NW 101 STREET NW A5 PARSONS ROAD NW C3 33 Ave NW 33 AVENUE NW 32 AVENUE NW 32 Ave NW C4 34 AVENUE NW B4 34A AVENUE NW 34 AVENUE NW 31 AVENUE NW LEGEND Existing Strathcona substation Existing Dome substation 29A AVENUE NW A6 29 AVENUE NW Dome Substation ") 28 AVENUE NW 28 Ave NW 26 AVENUE NW Segment indicator Preliminary segment both sides of road Preliminary segment one side of road Study area 23 AVENUE NW 23 Ave NW 25 AVENUE NW

6 About the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) The AESO is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the provincial transmission grid. For more information about why this project is needed, please refer to the AESO s Need Overview included with this package, or visit If you have any questions or concerns about the need for this project you may contact the AESO directly. You can make your questions or concerns known to an EPCOR representative who will collect your personal information for the purpose of addressing your questions and/or concerns to the AESO. This process may include disclosure of your personal information to the AESO. Call: stakeholder.relations@aeso.ca The Regulatory ProCess Development AESO directs EPCOR to begin facility application process for siting and routing EPCOR begins the facility application EPCOR asks public opinion AESO files needs identification document to AUC EPCOR evaluates impacts EPCOR selects locations and routes EPCOR submits facility application to AUC About the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) The AUC is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that ensures that the delivery of Alberta s utility service takes place in a manner that is fair, responsible and in the public s interest. The AUC must approve this project before we can begin work. For more information on how you can participate in the process, contact the AUC directly: Call: (for toll free access, dial before the ten digit number) consumer.relations@auc.ab.ca Website: auc.ab.ca Or download the AUC s brochure titled Public Involvement in a Proposed Utility Development at About EPCOR EPCOR, through its subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical and natural gas transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is an Alberta Top 70 employer. Approval Legend AUC provides public notice of needs identification document / facility application Approved AUC reviews application Not Approved AESO: Alberta Electric System Operator EPCOR: Transmission Facility Owner AUC: Alberta Utilities Commission

7 Other projects in the area Transmission Cable Decommissioning After the Strathcona Area Transmission Upgrade Project is complete, EPCOR will apply to the AUC to decommission an aging underground transmission cable that connects the Rossdale substation (in the Rossdale neighbourhood) and Strathcona substations. Strathcona Transformer Replacement EPCOR is proposing to replace an aging transformer at the Strathcona substation with similar capacity units, and remove additional electrical infrastructure, including voltage regulators, that is no longer needed. Stakeholders near the substation will receive additional information on this in a separate notice in the near future. Next steps We are beginning our public consultation program and invite you to contact us to discuss this project. Over the coming weeks, project team members will directly contact landowners, residents, occupants, and businesses directly adjacent or within the first row of properties near the proposed project to gather input address concerns and answer questions. Once we have received input from the public, EPCOR will submit a facility application to the AUC that will include a preferred and any identified alternative routes for for the transmission line between the Strathcona and Dome substations as well as the required upgrades at the Dome substation. Definitions Transmission lines and substations Transmission lines are like highways, moving high-voltage electricity from generating stations to distribution points (called substations) where the high-voltage electricity gets stepped down to lower voltages. Distribution lines Once voltages are stepped down at a substation, the electricity travels along lower-voltage distribution lines. These lines are the ones that leave a substation and make their way to our homes or businesses. Proposed SChedule September 2017 Fall 2017 Late 2017/Early 2018 Late 2017/Early 2018 Summer 2018 Summer 2019 Consultation begins Project update AESO submits NID for approval to AUC EPCOR submits facility application If approved by the AUC, construction begins Construction complete

8 You are invited to an open house This will be an opportunity to provide feedback, ask questions and learn more about out proposed project. Date Time Location Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Best Western Cedar Park Inn October 3, Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton, AB (Cedar B Room, lower level) Participate in the Process Contact Us EPCOR believes in engaging and listening to stakeholders. Community input and involvement and input an important part of our decision-making. For more information about the project or to provide us with feedback, contact us: consultation@epcor.com (780) epcor.com/consultation For more information about the need for this project please contact: Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Stakeholder.relations@aeso.ca For more information about the regulatory process please contact: Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) (for toll-free access, dial before the 10 digit number) auc.ab.ca EPCOR respects your right to privacy. Any personal information we collect about you, including your name, address, phone number and address will be used only in regards to this project. Please visit epcor.com for more information on EPCOR s Privacy Policy.