New power line route kind to environment

A preferred $58.5 million power transmission line route from Coronach to the Pasqua switching station, east of Moose Jaw, is the most expensive option, but has the least impact on agriculture.
The preferred line uses about one-quarter of an existing line and moves through several rural municipalities to connect at Pasqua.
The 230-kilovolt line route was chosen for an application to Saskatchewan Environment because of the lower farmland impact, says Bernie Bolen, SaskPower environmental supervisor.
"We had quite a bit of feedback from our open houses last June. There was a variety of issues coming up. But the number one issue by 2 1/2 to three times was the impact of the line on agricultural cultivated land."
This option reduced the impact most, he said during a second round of open houses in Moose Jaw Tuesday.
The 160-kilometre line has 44 fewer kilometres through cultivated land than the other two proposed routes, but costs $2 million more.
Once Saskatchewan Environment approves a route, the environmental investigation begins, said Helene Careau of SaskPower's environmental programs.
The search will look for rare and endangered plant and animal species like the burrowing owl, yellow racer, green smooth snake, monarch butterfly, metalmouth butterfly and great sage plant.
"If we find anything, we look for best measures to mitigate or negate the impact."
Senior SaskPower engineer Wayne Gutthormson said the transmission line will reduce power losses, smooth power transmission during power outages and provide more electricity to the Belle Plaine industrial corridor.
When lightning or other force knocks out the existing line, lower voltage flows or higher flows occur in a triangular area from Moose Jaw to Swift Current to Riverhurst.
Better balance of flows will happen with the new line, he said
And the new line will reduce loss of electricity as it moves down the line.
"The reduced transmission losses recovered in the life of the line are $30 million net."
SaskPower land officer Warren Folwark said farmers signing the easement agreement for the 40-metre wide corridor receive a one-time payment based on 115 per cent of market value.
Annual payments, or one lump sum payments, are made on hay and cultivated land.
SaskPower hopes to have the line up during 2010.
Open houses are also scheduled for Willow Bunch today and Coronach on Thursday.

Ron Walter can be reached at 691-1264.