Gas – Facilities
Application
Apex Utilities Inc. (“AUI”) applied for approval to install approximately 740 meters (“m”) of new 60.3-millimeter (“mm”) natural gas pipeline (“line 74”) and to split line 18 into lines 18 and 73 (the “Project”).
Decision
The AUC determined that the Project was in the public interest and approved the application, subject to a condition of approval.
Pertinent Issues
The proposed Project would replace 700 m of existing variable diameter pipeline due to failure that occurred under the Freeman River. The Project will be installed in the existing right-of-way and the sections of the existing pipeline between the two proposed tie-in points will be abandoned in place.
The AUC determined the application and the participant involvement program met the requirements set out in Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations, Hydro Developments and Gas Utility Pipelines.
The AUC found that the mitigation measures specified in AUI’s Environmental Evaluation and Protection Report sufficiently address the potential adverse environmental effects associated with the Project around the Freeman River. The AUC further determined that the alternative preferred by AUI is the most prudent of the available and evaluated alternatives. In reaching this conclusion, the AUC considered the overall cost of the alternatives and the need to maintain gas utility service to the customers in the affected area.
The AUC accepted AUI’s statement that it will comply with the code of practice requirements in accordance with the Water Act for the watercourse crossing. The AUC expressed an expectation that AUI will provide Project updates to the Alexander First Nation and Swan River First Nation.
The AUC imposed the following condition of approval:
Apex Utilities Inc. shall not commence construction until the site-specific hazard assessment plan is finalized and Apex Utilities Inc. shall file a copy of this plan with the Commission as soon as it is finalized.
The AUC determined that there is a need for the Project and that the Project is in the public interest pursuant to s 17 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act. The AUC approved the Project pursuant to s 11 of the Pipeline Act and s 4.1 of the Gas Utilities Act.
