Chinook Trail electrical work funded by council

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on September 14, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge city council on Tuesday unanimously approved the borrowing of $500,000 to complete the Chinook Trail Functional Planning Study in 2023.

The original request was made to the Civic Works Standing Policy committee of council by Jason Drenth, general manager of the City’s electric utility.

The Alberta Electric System Operator’s 2022 long-term plan identified a need to build a new 240/138kV substation in west Lethbridge along with a new 138kV transmission line connecting it to the existing 674S substation situated just south of Copperwood subdivision by 2028.

Because of Alberta Utility Commission requirements two transmission paths must be proposed and evaluated.

The report from Drenth says there is already an approved transmission right of way along the Metis Trail. A second option being proposed would be within the future Chinook Trail corridor. To come up with an appropriate estimate of the costs and work involved in building within the Chinook Trail, a study has to be completed. It is needed next year to meet approval and construction timelines.

The report says the plan is outside of the current 10-year CIP.

Drenth told council remotely in response to a question from Rajko Dodic that by making the second proposal, it can tell the AUC it did its due diligence per that organization’s directive.

He also told Dodic the transmission lines won’t be similar to the huge 240-volt towers in the river valley but rather smaller poles.

The City says the study is needed “to make an informed decision and develop a proper design and estimate for the cost to construct.”

The City says funding will be recovered as part of the Transportation department’s long-term Capital Improvement Program budget.

In a press release provided to media, Drenth said “The 2022 AESO long-term plan has identified a need to modify the Lethbridge area transmission network. AESO will recommend these needs to the AUC who then can approve the project and funding of the transmission costs.

“The system is connected to and makes up a part of the Alberta Electric Interconnected System and is required to meet the requirements of the AUC and AESO set out in the Alberta Electric Utilities Act.”

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