A review panel is considering arguments for and against two proposed HVDC transmission lines between the Edmonton and Calgary areas. It's a story that has seen transmission plans between the two major cities on and off more times than a faulty electrical connection in a bad storm.

It began in 2004 when the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO - the non-profit statutory company charged with planning Alberta's transmission system) first identified the need for major transmission reinforcement between Edmonton and Calgary.

In 2006 the AESO sought and obtained regulatory approval for the need for the transmission reinforcement and assigned AltaLink to find the lowest impact route. Hearings went badly into that application with the regulator (the Energy and Utilities Board or EUB) eventually dissolving the entire process including the original approval of the need. Later the EUB itself was dissolved and the new regulator in place was the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).

In 2008 the AESO conducted substantial public consultation regarding the need for a 500 kV transmission line with the intention of filing its application again with the regulator.

Several months later the province introduced Bill 50, which eventually became the Electric Statutes Amendment Act, which, among other things, approved the need for transmission between Edmonton and Calgary. It actually approved the need for two 500 kV transmission lines right away. The Act further outlined that AltaLink was to build the line down the west side of the province while ATCO Electric was to build the line down the east side.

Both AltaLink and ATCO Electric conducted substantial public consultation and have filed their Facilities Applications with the AUC for proposed routes.

In 2011, the provincial Conservative government ordered a halt to the proceedings and appointed a review panel to look into the need for this transmission reinforcement.

Landowners, electricity producers and large and small consumers will make presentations to the panel in Calgary January 10, 11 & 12 and in Edmonton January 18, 19 & 20.

Anyone interested in the lines can view the proceedings in person or listen to an audio webcast at www.ctrc-ab.ca