Inner-city Calgary residents decry proposed Enmax overhead transmission line

Some Calgary residents are pushing back against a proposal that could see Enmax installing an overhead powerline — and large steel poles — through an inner-city residential neighbourhood.

The power company wants to replace a 138-kilovolt underground transmission line in the northeast community of Winston Heights-Mountview, that was first installed roughly 50 years ago, and bring part of the line above ground.

The portion of the Central Calgary Transmission Line Replacement Project that's been getting the most heat is the overhead section that would run along a residential street: down 17th Avenue N.E., between Edmonton Trail and Moncton Road.

The power line would be held up by steel monopoles up to 28 metres tall, which Enmax said would save roughly $10 million compared to its alternative mainly underground route.

"They're big, monolithic steel poles that will be running down a very quiet residential street. 17th Avenue is just a residential street with houses on it," said resident Craig Baskett, who would see the power line through his front window.

Aside from fears that the power line will be an eyesore, residents like Baskett are raising concerns over potential noise, and the impacts to a nearby park and property values.

As the president of the Winston Heights-Mountview Community Association, Alex Reed said he's also worried about what this could mean for the future of the community.

"We're looking not just at developments that are already in place and housing that's already in place, but we're also looking forward 10, 20 years and thinking about what is going to happen to this neighbourhood if this transmission line goes through," said Reed.

The route will be chosen by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).

The commission issued a notice of hearing for the application last month, but it hasn't announced when the hearing will be or whether it will be a written or oral hearing.

Gavin Fitch, a lawyer representing the community association through the tribunal process, called the above ground route "short-sighted."

"This is an inner-city area that's going to continue to develop and get more dense. And generally speaking, the more dense these inner-city neighbourhoods are, the more appropriate it is that fundamental or basic utilities be buried," said Fitch, a partner with McLennan Ross.

The community association is asking AUC to approve the more costly, underground option instead.

In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson with Enmax said the transmission line must be replaced to ensure it's reliable and meet the long-term needs of the electricity system.

The statement said Enmax has been in touch with residents to share information and address concerns they have.

"This includes answering questions and directing residents to the independent third-party reports on routing, siting and environmental impacts in our application and providing residents with information on what the AUC has previously stated regarding visual impacts and impacts on property values," said Jessica Connors, senior communications strategist with Enmax . 

She said regardless of which route is approved, construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026.