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Expanding Responsibly
Reducing the environmental impacts of our operations continues to be a core value of ATCO Electric.

Environmental Commitment
Environmental protection was a key consideration in a 2006 line relocation project. The 25-kV line ran through the west side of the Buffalo Lake Habitat Conservation Area, near Stettler.

Working with the Alberta Fish and Game Association and Ducks Unlimited, we moved an existing line away from the conservation area. This required the construction of 1.6 kilometres of new line.

 

Reducing our Environmental Impact

At the heart of ATCO Electric’s environmental efforts is a commitment to minimize its environmental impact. Here are a few examples.

Light-emitting Diode (LED) Technology for Streetlights

ATCO Electric understands customers are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Light-emitting diode (LED) technology has recently emerged as a new option for streetlights. It has the potential to increase energy efficiency and reduce fixture replacement and maintenance costs. ATCO Electric is conducting a pilot project to better understand the opportunities LED technology offers our customers. Read our LED Streetlight Technology handout for more information.  

Crop Protection

At ATCO Electric, we understand that your cropland is your livelihood. And we know that protecting your crop from soil-borne disease is a top priority. That’s why we make every reasonable effort to contact you prior to entering your property and why we have adopted equipment cleaning practices for when we enter and when we leave your cropland. Read our Crop Protection handout for more information.
 

PCB Phase-Out

ATCO Electric has completed work on the removal of PCB equipment (oils containing greater than 40 parts per million PCBs) from its Distribution system.  Current efforts are focused on removal of the remaining small volume PCB equipment in the Transmission system through attrition.  This approach will result in the removal of all in-service PCB equipment in advance of a specific regulatory directive and demonstrates part of our overall commitment to environment, environmental stewardship and responsible action. 
 

Extending the Life of our Power Poles

It takes a lot of poles to bring power to our customers – more than 700,000 in fact. Reliable power depends on making sure our poles are solid and well maintained. To extend the life of a pole, it’s important to protect it from internal rot and the effects of our harsh climate. ATCO Electric uses environmentally friendly pole life extension products that are also cost efficient, saving customers money over the long term.
 

Reducing Waste

Less waste means a reduced burden on the environment. ATCO Electric recycles, reuses and whenever possible reduces the use of various products. And, when we dispose of waste, we only use waste handlers and landfills that meet ATCO Electric standards.
  • Used Oil and Associated Equipment – ATCO Electric recycles oil-filled equipment, transformer and motor oil and oil filters.
  • Wood Poles – ATCO Electric salvages wood poles that have to be replaced and makes them available to farmers and community groups. This saves disposal costs and diverts poles from landfills.
  • Surplus and Obsolete Equipment and Materials – If there is no practical way to continue using existing equipment or material, it’s sold or donated to local schools or community organizations. It’s not unusual to see a former ATCO Electric computer churning away in a not-for-profit organization or a used company vehicle in use by a community group.

  • Paper and Cardboard Recycling – Every year, we recycle through recycling programs in the communities we serve, as well as in our Edmonton-based office.

Vegetation Management

Left untouched, trees can interfere with energized equipment. This can result in safety issues for customers, employees and contractors and disrupt the power supply. It’s important to ATCO Electric to do what we can to prevent trees from contacting or falling on our power lines, which could result in forest fires.

In managing vegetation growth, ATCO Electric is careful to minimize its impact on the environment. For example, we often replace shelter belt trees with lower growing species. In this way, we are doing what we can to balance service and safety requirements with the need to protect the environment.

Protecting Fish and Wildlife

ATCO Electric serves northern and southeast Alberta, a diverse region with a unique ecology. We work with Alberta Environment and non-government groups to protect and preserve fish and wildlife habitat that could be affected by company activities or facilities.

  • When applying to build new transmission facilities, ATCO Electric identifies the general environmental impacts of the new construction, including wildlife concerns.

  • When an application is approved for transmission facilities or when we apply for a distribution facility easement, a more detailed environmental assessment is prepared. In this plan (known as an Environmental Field Report), we identify specific protective measures that will prevent disturbance of fish spawning areas or wildlife migration paths.

Birds and power lines don’t always get along very well. ATCO Electric uses a variety of methods to reduce contact between birds and energized equipment. For example, in some locations, we install anti-perch devices to keep birds off power lines, mark wires to improve visibility and install nesting platforms for osprey.

Electric and Magnetic Fields

Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are found whenever power lines, electric appliances or other devices are used. Over the past few decades, scientists have been studying the possible relationship between EMF and human health.

Independent reviews of research conducted to date generally concludes that human health is not at risk as a result of exposure to EMF.

Studies are continuing, however, and more research is needed. ATCO Electric will continue to monitor the work that is being done in Canada and abroad.

In the mean time, ATCO Electric continues to take a number of steps to ensure we act responsibly. For example,

  • All transmission and distribution facilities are built according to accepted engineering and safety standards.

  • When additional power is needed in densely populated areas, we try to use existing transmission and distribution rights-of-way and structures. This minimizes the number of power corridors and structures needed for new power lines.

  • We conduct EMF measurements for customers, on request.

For further information, please click on the link below to the Canadian Electricity Association's EMF fact sheet.

www.emf.electricity.ca



Sustainable Electricity

As part of our commitment to operate in an environmentally responsible manner, ATCO Electric participates in Sustainable Electricity – an industry-wide initiative developed and implemented by the electric utility members of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA).

By focusing on a three-pronged vision of sustainability – environment, society and the economy – the electricity industry takes a holistic approach to managing our impacts and securing its collective future. The program is built on the foundation of a thorough and rigorous process involving all utility members, as well as insight and leadership from a Public Advisory Panel. The electricity industry is committed to a shared future.

For more information about Sustainable Electricity and ATCO Electric’s involvement, visit www.sustainableelectricity.ca.