In a surprising turn of events, a northeast Calgary community is uniting against Enmax’s proposal to replace a high-voltage transmission line that has been in service since the late 1970s. The utility company is suggesting a $40 million project that would see the 138 kilovolt (kV) line run overhead through the residential area of Winston Heights-Mountainview, igniting a passionate response from local residents.
Community concerns about the overhead line
Residents are voicing their concerns about the aesthetic impact of the proposed overhead line, which would be supported by self-supporting steel monopoles ranging from 22 to 28 meters in height. Craig Baskett, a long-time resident and organizer of a petition against the project, stated, “We’ve lived in the area for 25 years and I’ve never seen people rally around something like this before.” The community is worried that the visual presence of these structures will detract from the neighborhood’s charm and could potentially lower property values.
Alternative routes and community impact
Enmax has proposed an alternative route that would run largely underground, emerging above ground only between Moncton Road and Deerfoot Trail. However, this option comes with an additional cost of $10 million, raising questions about the utility’s priorities. DJ Kelly, a local resident and city council candidate, emphasized the community’s preference for burying the line alongside other utilities, stating, “We have no problem with the line in the neighborhood; we just believe that it should be buried.”
The decision lies with the Alberta Utilities Commission
Despite the city of Calgary acting as the sole shareholder for Enmax, the ultimate decision regarding the transmission line route will be made by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). The AUC is expected to announce its decision next month, leaving residents anxious about the outcome. Alex Reed, president of the Winston Heights-Mountainview Community Association, expressed frustration over the potential concentration of negative impacts on the local community, stating, “They are seeking to reduce costs but it will concentrate the impact on this local community instead.”
As the community prepares to forward their petition to various officials, including the Mayor and local MLA, the residents of Winston Heights-Mountainview are determined to make their voices heard. With the AUC’s decision looming, the outcome of this battle between community interests and utility needs remains uncertain.
