A proposal to build a new city power substation to the north of an access road serving Cypress County residents near Highway 3 has garnered opposition.--News Photo Collin Gallant
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A group of Cypress County residents have engaged a high-profile law firm to represent them at hearings to oppose a proposed new power substation near their properties.
The “City View Group” has registered with the Alberta Utilities Commission in an approval process which will now include a full regulatory hearing in January.
In June, the City of Medicine Hat’s power distribution company applied to build the $20-million substation on a plot of land near the city’s corporate limits on Highway 3.
That site however, is also across an access road from a cluster of country residential properties where owners have voiced opposition during the initial process, and now officially as the issue is before regulators.
They will be represented by the law firm of McLennan Ross.
In statements filed to the AUC many of the individuals state they oppose the selection of the site as it would detract from their properties, add noise and activity to the area, and they feel its construction could disrupt the water table which feeds household water wells.
City administrators say a new substation is needed to better regulate power in the entire area of south Medicine Hat, and the site is preferred due to its location, ease of access reducing costs and location on previously disturbed pasture land.
A secondary site is located near the corner of Range Road 61A, which leads to Desert Blume, on land described as native grassland.
A schedule for decision, known as proceeding No. 27417, was released last week by the AUC.
Formal questions to the developer are due by Sept. 30. Several followup dates are scheduled over the proceeding two months, while no set date has been announced for a hearing in January 2023.
