IN TIlE MATTER OF the Utilities Commission Act, S.B.C. 1980, c. 60, as amended and IN TIlE MAI TER OF an Application by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority BEFORE: J.G. McIntyre, ) Chairman; ) J.D.V. Newlands, ) Deputy Chairman; ) February 20, 1991 N. Martin, ) Commissioner; and ) W.M. Swanson, Q.c., ) Commissioner ) ORDER WHEREAS: A. On November 23, 1990 British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ("B.C. Hydro") applied by a Letter of Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ("CPCN"), pursuant to Section 51(3) of the Utilities Commission Act ("the Act"), to construct and operate a 287 kilovolt transmission line between Alcan Smelters and Chemicals Ltd.'s, ("Alcan") Kitimat substation and B.C. Hydro's Skeena substation, a distance of 51 to 63 km depending on route selection; and B. The project will be used to reinforce B.c. Hydro's existing electrical transmission system to enable additional electricity to be transmitted from Alcan's Kemano Completion Project to B.C. Hydro as a result of coordinating and power purchase agreements between the two companies; and C. The project identified two possible routes: one, known as Route A, along the existing right-of-way using a common corridor with Highway 37 and Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.'s ("PNG") natural gas pipeline for a distance of 63 km; or Route B, which is estimated to be less costly to construct and maintain, and more direct, being only 51 km; and D. B.C. Hydro indicated that it favoured Route A as the recommended project and if approved, would utilize special transmission tower structures to accommodate both the existing and proposed circuits on the existing right-of-way through certain identified environmentally sensitive areas; and E. On December 5, 1990 and January 11, 1991 the Commission requested that B.C. Hydro provide additional infonnation on the project including the identification of the issues to be resolved should Route A be approved; and F. On December 20, 1990 and January 31, 1991, B.C. Hydro responded to the Commission's requests for infonnation on the project; and G. Correspondence submitted with the Application indicated that Route A was acceptable to most government resource agencies; and .. ./2 SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, VANCOUVER, B.C. V6Z 2N3, CANADA, TELEPHONE (604) 660-4700, TOLL FREE 1-800-663-1385. FACSIMILE (604) 660-1102
2 H. The Commission has reviewed the information and has determined that the construction and operation of the proposed 287 kV transmission line from Alcan's Kitimat substation to B.C. Hydro's Skeena substation utilizing Route A is necessary for the public convenience and properly conserves the public interest. NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows: 1. A CPCN is granted to B.C. Hydro to construct and operate a 287 kV transmission line from Alcan's new Kitimat substation to B.C. Hydro's Skeena substation utilizing the Route A option, a distance of approximately 63 km. 2. This CPCN is subject to the following conditions: (i) B.C. Hydro, its agents and contractors shall comply with all applicable orders and conditions and shall obtain and comply with all applicable licences, permits, approvals, tenures, regulations and standards. (ii) B.C. Hydro will take appropriate measures to resolve the issues contained in Appendix A of this Order to the satisfaction of the Commission, the various government agencies, and other interested groups. (iii) B. C. Hydro shall be guided in its location, design and construction of the line in accordance with the applicable directives and comments made by various government agencies and public groups as contained in the November 23, 1990 Application documents. (iv) Before the completion of construction work, B.C. Hydro shall conftrm to the Commission that the reported induced voltage problem on the existing PNG gas pipeline is satisfactorily resolved and that adequate measures have been taken to ensure that the new line will not cause hazardous induced voltage on the pipeline in the Route A corridor. (v) B.c. Hydro shall be subject to further direction from the Commission on any matter arising from the environmental impact studies and the public consultation program. 3. B.C. Hydro is required to fIle monthly construction progress reports, in addition t, detailing the bidding, awarding of contracts and capital cost expectations as project progresses. DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this day of February, 1991. BCUC/Orders/BCH-Alcatl-PNG
APPENDIX A Page 1 of 4 EXHIBI1.' A SKEEN A - KITIMAT 287 kV TRANSMISSION LINE APPUCAn ON TO BCUC FOR CPCN BCUC Request for Information No. J The following identifies the issues to be resolved if Route A is approved: Resource Feature Items to be Addressed Reference to or Planning Report Design Component I. RoutinglLocation I. Refine alignment above Lakelse Lake Page 21, 30, 32, 38, (km 44 to 50) due to concern for visual 39 impact. 2. Refine alignment approximately 1 km I Page 20, 28. 29 east of existing line (km 16 to 33) 3. Refine Route AlB to minimize visibility I Page 19 and impact on Anderson Creek. 4. Conflicts with Ministry of Highways I Page 28-30, 38 gravel pits/rock quarries 5. Crossing 2L99 in the vicinity of Hwy. 371 Page 22-23 (km 16) 6. PNG Pipelines Page 19, 22, 27 - 29, 31 - 32 Additional work required to ensure that \I ::' induced voltage levels are limited through appropriate line location and design measures. This will require coordination between S.c. Hydro and PNG. Locations for crossings of the PNG gas I Page 39 pipelines will be identified and PNG will be contacted to obtain the necessary permissions. " ... 1 ... 11"1-..
Resource Feature It ems to be Addressed or Design Component 2. Agency Liaison I. Commitment to work with Provincial Resource Department of Fisheries and Oceans and local government regarding design details and construction scheduling. 3. Environmental 1. Commitment to prepare a plan for the Protection Plan protection of environmental resources that will construction, maintenance. 4. Fisheries & Wildlife 1. Detailed tcchniques, protection of fisheries resources in Sockeye, Creeks. 2. Detailed techniques, protection of fisheries resources on Kitimat crossing (km 7 to 8) 3. Detailed ; techniques, protection of fisheries resources on Duck Creek crossing (km 7 to 8) 4. Mitigation of impacts on registered lraplines. 5. Heritage 1. Examination of route by archaeologist. APPENDIX A Page 2 of 4 - 2 Reference to PlanniAg Report Page 17, 18 Ministries the federal Page 62 be followed during operation and - I I I plan for construction Page 32, 50-52,60,62 access and design for Williams and Blackwater plan for construction Page 22, 26, 27, 38, access and design for 39,50-52 plan for construction Page 19. 50-52 access and design for Page 45 qualified Page 39 ~--
APPENDIX A P~ge 3 of 4 · J . Resource Feature Items to be Addressed Reference to or Planning Report Design Componenet 6. Visual 1. Mitigation of visual impacts regarding I Page 30 tall structures at the Kitimat River crossing and the Duck Creek crossing. 2. Mitigation of visual impacts in Lakelse I Page 21, 38 Lake area, the park and recreation areas. Highway 37 and Onion Flats area. 7. Water I. Protection of licensed potable water I Page 30, 32, .18 sources in the vicinity of Lakelse Lake. 8 Vegetat o n I. Retention of vegetation (trees and I Page 51 Management shrubs) on the Kitimat River crossing and the Duck Creek crossing. 9. Forestry I I. Design access roads and conductor I Page 38 height to provide clearance for forestry equipment. 2. Minimize the potential for cut-ofr I Page 28, 38, 44 forestry lands. 3. Minimize clearing particularly in planted Page 10, 29 33, .18, 44 areas 10. Terrain L Stability of soils near Lakelse slide (km I Page 29 50 -52) and sedimentation concerns into Williams/Blackwater Creeks (re fisheries habit.1t). 2. Stability of Kitimat and Little Wet!dene Page .18 Rivers at crossing point; erosion and sedimentation concerns re fisheries habitat.
Resource Feature Items to be Addressed or Design Componenel 11. General issues I. Review with Transport Canada - Airways to normally dealt with identify spans and at the detail design marking. stage: 2. Review with Transport Canada- Coast Guard which stream application under the Navigable Waters Protection Act. 3. Prepare an access assessment taking into account existing access, requirements for clearing and construction and maintenance. 4. Determine impact on commercial forest lands and determine tenure. discussion with the MOF investigate having tenure holders remove timber prior to clearing. 5. Determine where the proposed route crosses ALR lands, and make application to the Agricultural Land Commission. 6. Advise the Gold Commissioner of the final detail location to determine if any conflicts exist with existing claims or potential mineral resources. APPENDIX A Page 4 of 4 - 4 ReJerence to Planning Report Page 47 structures requiring Page 47 crossings will require Page 17-18 Page 44 & 47 Through Page 47 Page 47
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