Electricity – Communication
Application
ATCO Electric Ltd. (“AE”) applied for approval to construct and operate a 13-kilometer (km”) overhead fibre optic cable between AE’s existing Brintnell 876S Substation and Alberta PowerLine General Partner Ltd.’s existing Transmission Line 12L41, approximately 30 km northeast of Wabasca-Desmarais.
The Project was part of the SOC2 Strategic Fibre Project, which aims to extend the network and establish a high-capacity communication backbone connecting the Fort McMurray region with AE system operations centres.
Decision
The AUC approved the application as filed.
Pertinent Issues
The AUC determined that the information requirements specified in Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations, Hydro Developments and Gas Utility Pipelines (“Rule 007”) were met. The AUC found the participant involvement program for the proposed project met the requirements of Rule 007.
The AUC held that, because the fibre optic cable will be located close to existing transmission lines and will be positioned within and adjacent to existing rights-of-way, there will be a minimal impact on adjacent stakeholders. The AUC accepted AE’s submission that the environmental effects of the proposed fibre optic cable can be minimized and that there should be no significant adverse environmental effects from the project.
As a result, the AUC found that approval of the proposed project was in the public interest having regard to the social, economic, and other effects of the project, including its effect on the environment.
