Area residents are rightfully concerned with the carnage wrought by AltaLink's newest power line project when hundreds of ducks are killed in a single weather event. Both AltaLink and Stantec were advised that this would be the outcome if they proceeded with their plans to traverse the sensitive watersheds and flyways in the southernmost parts of the province.
There are real concerns that, if allowed to proceed with their (yet undetermined) plans for the area between Pincher Creek and Waterton Park, the AltaLink slaughter will extend to eagles, cranes, swans and the many species of raptors that migrate through and populate the area encompassed by the Waterton Biosphere. As we explained to AESO, AltaLink and Stantec during their "community consultations", the watersheds and cultivated fields serve as staging areas along the annual migration routes.
They connect the Waterton Reservoir to the Waterton Lakes and the areas between these serve as resting and feeding areas for multitudes of waterfowl and other migratory species. If AltaLink is allowed to proceed south of Pincher Creek towards Waterton, some of Alberta's most pristine and sensitive lands and many types of wildlife, some protected under federal legislation, will be irreparably damaged by the close proximity of more deadly power lines. As Albertans and area residents, we have a resource worth protecting. In addition to sustaining the western heritage lifestyles of many in our ranching and farming community, the area draws over 400,000 visitors annually from around the globe.
Rather then coming up with a bandaid solution, when will AltaLink start burying the lines? Visit Reta’s website at retasite.wordpress.com for more information and to support burying power lines, because AltaLink’s fix is “not” for the birds.
Related story:
Ducks found dead under transmission lines near Oldman dam
I have always wondered why lines aren't routinely buried. You would think it would require less equipment, manpower and therefore money to dig a ditch rather than build foundations for and erect the big towers. Not only would it be safer for birds, it would be much more esthetically pleasing. I suppose they would encounter complications in regards to crossing waterbodies, wetlands, heavily treed areas and steep coulees. There must be a better solution to what is currently happening.
ReplyDeleteIt actually costs over ten times as much to bury a line because of the type of cable that is needed. An overhead high voltage transmission line is bare metal whereas an underground line would need to be insulated and it takes a lot of insulation for a 240 KV line (240,000 volts) The cost of the cable is prohibitive and we the consumer are not willing to pay. In our cities and towns the lines are a lower voltage and less expensive so many neighborhoods have buried lines.
DeleteNot true! The following information is from the Askon Consulting Group (2008):
Delete– Underground cables are much safer than overhead lines. No electric fields are emitted from buried cables, and most importantly, the magnetic field is greatly reduced both in intensity right over the line and in distance of impact. This significantly reduces the negative health effects documented for overhead lines.
– Underground cables provide obvious environmental benefits versus over¬head lines in terms of land use, visual impact, property valuation, and tourism.
– Underground cables enhance power grid security and reliability and give improved performance, compared to overhead lines.
– Underground cables are significantly more reliable. Failures in underground cables are significantly lower than in overhead lines.
– Underground cables are significantly more efficient. Transmission losses with underground cables are significantly lower than with overhead lines, which translates to a much lower carbon footprint.
– Underground cables are affordable compared to overhead lines. There is a higher initial capital cost, but this difference is cancelled out by the much higher and costly electricity losses from overhead lines over the life of the line. When this is taken into account, plus the lengthy planning delays, property devaluation, impacts on tourism and higher maintenance costs associated with overhead lines, costs of underground and overhead lines are almost equal.
– Results of an objective public opinion survey conducted by Leger Marketing (a national pollster), indicating the views of Albertans on electricity transmission, were released November 3, 2009. On average, Albertans are willing to pay an additional $3.55 on their monthly power bill to have high voltage power lines buried in the province of Alberta when they run close to people’s homes or schools. Detailed results of the Leger Marketing opinion survey, including a demographic profile, can be found at www. reta.ca.