FAQs

Not all structures will be the same. Different types are required for different uses such as crossing waterbodies or turning corners. Please review the section of the project area you reside in to see the most common structures you can expect in your community.

Learn about the current power poles in your neighbourhood

The City of Medicine Hat will not be constructing any part of this project underground. The options presented have appropriate electrical clearances, and the high costs associated with underground transmission are not warranted when there is adequate above ground spacing.

Due to the anticipated growth and needs of the City of Medicine Hat, the line will be built do accommodate a higher voltage for a higher capacity. It is anticipated that in 2030 that capacity issues during peak times could lead to customer outages. 

Based on forecasted demand and using conservative demand trends of the past, this transmission line is required to be upgraded to maintain electricity to the majority of the service territory during peak loading times in the summer.

Selecting a transmission line route takes into account various factors, including agricultural, residential, and environmental impacts, technical requirements, cost, and site-specific features. We aim to minimize impacts, and when that's not possible, we consider mitigations to reduce potential impacts. Feedback from the public early in the siting process is important in understanding these factors before decisions are made. 

All work done by the Utility is funded through the rates it charges customers. It is not expected to significantly change rates.

The City of Medicine Hat will recoup this through rates. The regulatory and design aspects of the project are currently in an approved City budget.

Land appraisers have been engaged by the City of Medicine Hat to assess potential compensation values for both permanent and temporary easements. Compensation will be driven by the current bare land value of the properties that Medicine Hat must acquire right-of-way for the construction and operation of the transmission line. The appraisers will determine benchmark bare land value by: 

• considering the highest and best use of the lands on which the right-of-way is to be acquired (Residential, Agricultural, Future Development, Commercial, Institutional),
• reviewing market information such as market trends, recent sales and/or listings of parcels in the area, and,
• reviewing other indicative lands in Medicine Hat. 

Criteria such as zoning, size, access, greenspace, and location will be considered in determining this bare land value.

Once a value has been determined, land agents will begin negotiations with each individual.

The City of Medicine Hat understands this concern and takes it very seriously. The City of Medicine Hat follows guidance from Health Canada and the guidelines issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)

With respect to Power lines, Health Canada states:

"The potential health effects of extremely low frequency EMF has been studied extensively... When you are inside your home, the electric fields from transformer boxes and high voltage power lines are often weaker than the fields from household electrical appliances.  Extremely low frequency EMF exposures in Canadian homes, schools and offices are far below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP guidelines. You don't need to take precautions to protect yourself from these kinds of exposures". 

We welcome your questions regarding EMF at any time.

The transmission line will be rebuilt to 138kV but run at the current 69kV capacity until such time as the increased capacity is required.

A major concern raised throughout discussions with community members was that the presence of a transmission line could decrease property values or hinder future home sales, potentially affecting retirement plans if sales opportunities were lost. 

Aspects of a property such as its proximity to the transmission line, other linear disturbances, visibility, structure placement, structure type, structure size, or whether the line is on a new or existing alignment may all influence whether a transmission line could affect a property’s value.

The City of Medicine Hat has engaged a land appraisal firm to provide an overview of the project’s potential property value impact at a high level, premised on related studies within North America. This will be filed as part of the Facility Application with the Alberta Utilities Commission. 

The Alberta Utilities Commission is the final decision maker for the project. A Facility Application and supporting reports will be available publicly once filed with the commission for their review.  Information on the regulatory review process can be found at www.auc.ab.ca

The City of Medicine Hat is trying to determine the best place to locate the proposed transmission line for the Project and to understand the landscape, land uses and the features within the area in determining potential impacts. 

Decisions have not yet been made and not all information has been brought forward; therefore, we wish to speak to as many people as possible early in the process to acquire their feedback and local knowledge so that it can be considered in decision making related to final routing

The benefit of this project is to ensure reliable, safe, service to our customers and the ability to support future load growth well into the future.

Public awareness and safety will be priority during any construction activities. COMH will continue to inform and update landowners and the municipal district as the project evolves and specific construction plans are determined.

24 months (2027-2029) but is subject to change.