RETA surveys public on power line
Posted By Michael Di Massa News Staff
Posted 18 days ago
Results from a survey conducted for pro-underground power line group Responsible Electricity Transmission for Albertans (RETA) shows that people are willing to pay more on their power bill for underground lines.
The six-question survey polled 900 Albertans at the end of October. Results have a plus-minus error margin of 3.3 per cent.
Those polled said they'd be willing to pay an average of up to $4.02 a month on their power bill to have 500 kV power lines from Wabamun to the Industrial Heartland installed underground if near their property.
They also said they'd pay an average of up to $3.55 a month to have power lines not near their property installed underground.
Bruce Johnson, president of RETA, estimated lines shouldn't cost any more than 50 cents a month on electric bills, based on the assumption that 20 km of cables will be installed underground.
He pointed to a presentation to the Capital Region Board and Edmonton city council by Epcor that stated 25 km of underground lines would add no more than 93 cents a month to Albertan power bills.
That was on the assumption that underground power lines are 10 times more expensive than above-ground power lines, Johnson said.
Similar to concerns that have been voiced by RETA, the majority of people polled expressed worry about proximity of above-ground 500 kV power lines to schools, homes and day-care centres, and the potential for negative impacts to health.
Decreased property values were another concern for the majority of those polled, while 3.2 per cent said they thought the 500 kV lines would increase property vales.
Across the board, 70 per cent of residents said they would feel comfortable with underground power lines near their homes and schools, while 43 per cent said they'd be comfortable with above-ground power lines.
"These results confirm what we had been hearing from Albertans over the past year as we met with them at public meetings or on their doorstep," Johnson said.
"Albertans are aware of the negative health, safety and property value impacts of above-ground high-voltage power lines, and want these lines buried whenever they run close to homes, schools and-day care centres."
Johnson said RETA estimates the cost of installing underground lines near schools and homes would translate to an increase of less than 50 cents a month on consumer power bills.
Thirty-two per cent of those surveyed live in the Edmonton area, while 33 are in the Calgary area and 25 live elsewhere in Alberta.
Johnson said people living across the province, and not just those in the Edmonton area, were polled because RETA wanted to see if Albertans in general think such high-voltage power lines should be installed underground.
The 25 to 34 age group provided 24 per cent of the feedback. The 45 to 54 age group provided the second most (20 per cent) feedback.
Johnson said only 900 people were polled across the province by design to allow for a 3.2 margin of error, which equals approximately 19 out of 20.
For the 500 kV Industrial Heartland power line, Alberta Utilities Commission must approve any above-ground or underground route that will be proposed by Alberta Electric System Operator.
Epcor and AltaLink are the two energy providers who will use the new 500 kV power lines.
RETA has been an active voice in the Edmonton area opposing above-ground power lines while encouraging below-ground power lines.
The association has held several public meetings in the area, with another meeting planned for the end of this month.
That meeting will be Nov. 24 and has since changed venues to Rexall Place. The meeting remains set for 7 p.m.
mdimassa@sherwoodparknews.com
