Mixed reaction to proposed power lines
Posted Feb 13, 2012 9:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON – A government-appointed panel is recommending the province to proceed immediately with two controversial high-voltage power lines.
Panel chairman Brian Heidecker says the extra electricity is needed because Alberta’s population and industry are growing rapidly.
The two lines, one running down the west side of the province and the other down the east, have been on hold since late last year.
Premier Alison Redford’s government asked the Alberta Utilities Commission to stop work on the lines so a review could be done to see if they were needed.
Alta Link says they are happy that the committe recognizes the importance of reinforcing the transmission grid.
Company Ceo Scott Thon tells 660News, our rapid industrial, economic and population growth is driving the need for new generation of electricity.
He says there are a number of coal-fired plants that will be retired out of service and new generation is the largest part of everyone’s electricity bill.
Meanwhile, Wildrose energy critic Paul Hinman tells 660News, the lines are not needed and that the extra capacity, built at taxpayers’ expense, would allow power companies to then sell the excess to the U.S. at a profit.
He says the panel should not just have looked at the need for the electricity, but the cost-benefit to the entire system.
He adds, the parameters have changed with a lot of locally generated electricity which changes the needs for these lines and the government is rushing into this so the companies involved can make money and leave the bills with Albertans.
Hinman says Bill 50 needs to be rescinded and Albertans should be given a choice in the upcoming election to accept the electrical rate increases or send a message and say “no.”
