Vegreville Office Telecommunication Tower Replacement

Transcription

1 Project Need and Details March 2012 If approved, the proposed Vegreville Office Telecommunication Tower Replacement will be located on the current tower site at Avenue in the Town of Vegreville. Replacement of the existing tower is necessary to support and enhance ATCO Electric s radio and data communication network. The project will include construction of the new tower, installation of related electrical and communications equipment and removal of the existing 32 metre (m) tower. The replacement tower will be a self-supporting steel lattice tower approximately 52 (m) tall. All existing antennas will be replaced and one microwave dish will be added. Details may vary slightly with final plans. Why are you receiving this project information package? We are advising neighbouring landholders, agencies and other interested parties about plans to replace the existing Vegreville office telecommunication tower located within the existing system operations center site. (please see map on page three). This package provides 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. Included in this package: Project information brochure Reply form and postage paid envelope Open house invitation Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) brochure Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications 1

2 Regulatory Process Typical Self-Supported Lattice Tower 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 ( Design Requirements The new tower will meet Transport Canada aeronautical safety requirements and will be operated in compliance with Health Canada s Safety Code 6 for the protection of the general public and local radio environment. Design and construction will meet applicable standards and will follow good engineering practices, including structural integrity. Impacts No significant adverse environmental effects are expected. Neighbouring landholders may notice some increased traffic and noise during construction. The requirement for an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act has yet to be determined for this project. 2

3 Site Plan 3

4 Proposed Timeline* March 2012 Project notification to landowners and agencies May 2012 Submission of the Facilities Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and Industry Canada October 2012 If approval is granted, construction will commence November 2012 Facilities completed and operating February 2013 Existing telecommunication tower removed *Timing may be adjusted to reflect final plans. Contact Us Your comments and concerns are important to us. Please contact us toll free: or direct: Jesse Sirota, Project Planner ATCO Electric Street Edmonton, AB T5J 2V6 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 80 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 74,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines. We also operate an additional 8,800 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 April 21, 2012 Please provide a copy of your submission to ATCO Electric (address on the left) and the following organizations: Town of Vegreville Street PO Box 640 Vegreville, AB T9C 1R7 Phone: Fax: Website: consultation@atcoelectric.com Industry Canada Suite 400, Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 0M9 spectrum.calgary@ic.gc.ca 4

5 Join us at our open house VEGREVILLE OFFICE TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER REPLACEMENT ATCO Electric is hosting an open house to share details of the Vegreville Office Telecommunication Tower Replacement located within the existing ATCO Electric system operations site. The project will include the installation of a 52 metre self-supporting steel lattice structure with six microwave antennas and five VHF/UHF antennas. We invite you to attend the open house. Attendance at an open house will provide you with an opportunity to meet the members of our team, learn more about the project and have your questions answered. We welcome open discussion including any comments or concerns you may have as your feedback plays a critical role in our projects. We look forward to meeting you. If you have any questions about this project, or if you cannot attend the open house and you would like to discuss this project with ATCO Electric, please contact: Jesse Sirota, Project Planner Toll Free: Fax: Consultation@atcoelectric.com Website: You are also invited to provide written public comments to ATCO Electric within the next 30 days of this notice. The closing date for submissions is April 21, Wednesday, April 4, p.m. Royal Canadian Legion #39 Hall Avenue, Vegreville, Alberta