A landowner opposition group has made its case against a proposed power line through Westlock County.
East Route Land Owners Opposition Group (ERLOG) members presented their views at the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) hearing Oct. 29 in Edmonton.
The hearing will help determine whether the Fort McMurray West project — Alberta PowerLine’s 500-kV transmission line from Wabamun to Fort McMurray — will run along an east route (via Westlock County) or west route (via the County of Barrhead).
ERLOG has opposed the east route due to agricultural impacts, lowered property values and unsightly views and favours the west route, which would mostly follow a preexisting cutline.
“Everyone voiced their concerns and we were loud and clear on how we felt,” said ERLOG representative Nelson Jespersen. “We came out of there feeling that we did what we set out to do.”
Jespersen and 11 other landowners with ERLOG attended the Oct. 29 hearing. Earlier that day, ERLOG’s lawyer presented the group’s case and was then questioned by Alberta PowerLine lawyers and the AUC panel.
When it was the landowners’ turn to speak, Jespersen said they explained how the east route would impact them personally, and were then cross-examined by their lawyer and the AUC panel with specific questions.
“In our case, our farming operation, a specific question would be, ‘Well how would you cultivate around these towers?’ … that type of thing,” Jespersen said.
“The AUC just wants to make sure they cover every angle and take into account every concern that’s presented by us or any other group.
“It seems to me that it was fair enough that our concerns were heard. It was definitely unique for us as farmers. We don’t usually go into a courtroom setting. We were a little out of our element, but I think we did well.”
He noted that the landowners didn’t have a chance to sit in on other groups, since most could only spare a day, but they did read through prior presentations.
“Throughout this whole process, our goal was to create awareness to other landowners around us — hold meetings, which we did, and attend the hearing and present our case . We’ve kind of done everything within the process that we can. Our part’s done so now it’s a waiting game.”
The hearing runs Oct. 12 to Nov. 25, at which time AUC will review the submissions and make a decision in early 2017.
If the AUC approves the project, Alberta PowerLine’s website said the transmission line is expected to finish and be in service by 2019.
