Environment

We understand the importance of reducing our impact on Alberta’s natural landscapes and we strive to balance the effect of our operations on the environment, while maintaining the safety and reliability of our electricity system for our customers.

The environment is one of several factors AltaLink considers when determining a transmission line route with the least overall impact. AltaLink conducts environmental assessments to identify environmentally significant or sensitive features along proposed transmission line routes.

All transmission line projects must be approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). The AUC reviews Facility Applications to determine if the proposed project has adequately addressed potential issues and concerns, including environmental protection. 

The initial environmental assessment will also note locations that may potentially contain sensitive species at risk, such as endangered birds.  Prior to construction activities, teams of qualified biologists will conduct detailed field surveys. The surveys will determine if species at risk are present as well as note other important environmental features. Additional environmental protection measures are added to the project as necessary to mitigate environmental impacts.

AltaLink’s Environmental Standards

We have set strict standards by which we operate our business with respect to the environment.

AltaLink will:

• Meet or surpass all environmental legislation, regulations, and other applicable
      requirements established for transmission providers;
• Continuously strive to improve our environmental performance consistent with our
      defined business goals;
• Integrate environmental and economic considerations into our planning and
      operations processes;
• Ensure that the environmental impacts and risks of our activities are effectively 
      identified, assessed and managed;
• Use an environmental audit process to assess compliance with AltaLink’s
      Environmental Management System; audit findings will be reported periodically
      to the Board of Directors;
• Use an environmental management system to set environmental objectives and
      targets that support this policy, and regularly review performance against these
      objectives with senior management;
• Inform and encourage meaningful consultation and collaboration with employees,
      customers, contractors and the public related to our operations and its impact on
      the environment; and
• Be an environmentally responsible neighbour in the communities in which we operate.

Please click here to learn more about AltaLink’s environmental initiatives.