Land, Materials and Biodiversity
ENMAX operations affect land in Calgary, southern Alberta, and western British Columbia. In Calgary, ENMAX Power owns, operates and maintains the electricity infrastructure, which comprises 281 kilometres of transmission wires that deliver bulk power through 35 substations, and approximately 7,400 kilometres of distribution lines. Through its subsidiary, ENMAX Energy, ENMAX also owns, operates and develops generation facilities, including natural gas plants and wind farm in Alberta and run-of-river in BC.
Wildlife and Habitat
ENMAX’s day-to-day operations in Calgary do not typically affect wildlife or habitat. As part of our environmental management system, significant environmental aspects are reviewed periodically and controls are put in place to manage issues that may arise. We develop an Environmental Assessment or site-specific Construction Environment Management Plan for larger projects to ensure any potential impacts are mitigated. Although ENMAX doesn’t own land in protected areas, our lines sometimes cross natural parks.
Weaselhead Park Transmission Line Rebuild, Calgary, AB
During February and March 2008, ENMAX Power completed the replacement of old power poles within and adjacent to the Weaselhead/Glenmore Natural Environment Park. The 17 new power poles extend from south of the Glenmore Reservoir through the Weaselhead Park, ending north of the reservoir.
ENMAX engaged stakeholders several months prior to beginning work on this project to ensure all stakeholder concerns, including those of The City of Calgary Parks Management and the Weaselhead Glenmore Park Preservation Society, were addressed, and to develop and implement measures that would preserve the park’s ecological integrity. ENMAX Power commissioned an independent biologist to conduct a biophysical impact assessment of the project area in 2007. We followed all recommendations to mitigate any potential adverse environmental effects. For example, ENMAX Power conducted the construction activities while the ground was frozen and used a helicopter to install the power poles, avoiding the use of any heavy equipment in the park. Construction workers used all-terrain vehicles on paved pathways only and walked into each pole-site by foot; all equipment was flown in and excavated soil was flown out using cement buckets.
These measures and the environmental management training of employees and contractors prior to the project reduced environmental impacts surrounding the worksite.