Gas – Facilities
Application
ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“AG”) applied for approval to construct and operate the Swanhills Loop Transmission Project, consisting of 4.6 kilometers (“km”) of new 168.3-millimeter (“mm”) high-pressure natural gas pipeline (the “Project”), in the area of Spruce Grove, Alberta.
Decision
The AUC approved the application from AG to construct and operate the Project.
Pertinent Issues
The Project will connect AG’s existing 323.3-mm Swan Hills Transmission Pipeline to a proposed regulator station in the Spruce Grove area. The new pipeline will assume the current demand of the existing Stony Plain transmission line and bring additional gas supply from the existing Swan Hills Transmission line for the future needs of the Spruce Grove area.
The AUC assessed and approved the need for the Project in Decision 25663-D01-2021. The AUC determined that the application met the requirements set out in Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designation, Hydro Developments and Gas Utility Pipelines.
The AUC accepted that AG will comply with the Water Act requirements for all watercourse and wetland crossings and that AG will obtain a Historical Resources Act clearance before commencing construction. The AUC accepted AG’s commitment to follow the environmental protection plan in order to reduce the risk of adverse environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project. The AUC found the smaller diameter pipe safe and sufficient for the current and future needs. The AUC held that the Project, including the pipe diameter reduction, was the least costly alternative.
