In 2007, ENMAX formalized the Stakeholder Relations role within our company by creating a new department and team, acknowledging the increasing importance of this type of engagement as we continue to pursue a pathway of growth and build new generation facilities.
Our Stakeholder Relations team is invested with the responsibility to effectively communicate and build relationships with our growing stakeholder constituency, especially those who reside close to existing or planned facilities.
During the past year, our Stakeholder Relations team worked to clearly establish the basic construct of our stakeholder relations approach, which is based on the fundamental principles of communication and trust, and implement tools and processes to help manage our commitments. We believe consulting with and involving stakeholders early on in the decision-making process for our proposed developments leads to more thoughtful, well-considered outcomes and creates an effective foundation for the long-term relationships we develop.
Getting to Know Our Neighbours
ENMAX's Stakeholder Relations team uses multiple communications tools and techniques to identify stakeholders and involve them in shaping our decisions in a meaningful manner. This includes: knocking on doors, conducting open houses, using direct mail and project-specific websites through e-mail, telephone, one-on-one meetings and other tools as appropriate.
Our intent is to provide timely, open, concise and helpful information, in formats that are convenient and accessible. We also make an effort to ensure stakeholders hear about our projects from us first.
Consulting on the Crossfield Energy Centre
Our strongest stakeholder focus in 2007 was the public consultation process for our proposed Crossfield Energy Centre, a 120 MW natural gas-fired peaking power generating facility to be located near Crossfield, 10 km north of Airdrie. This rapid-response facility is designed to meet periods of high electrical demand while helping stabilize Alberta's southern transmission grid.
Our comprehensive consultation effort involved members of the public, those with business interests in the facility, the Town of Crossfield, the Municipal District of Rocky View, energy industry partners, special interest groups, the Alberta Electrical System Operator (AESO), Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), Calgary Health Region (CHR) and Alberta Environment (AENV) among others.
The key areas of interest and/or issues addressed in our public consultation process included:
- Employment opportunities
- Transmission line requirements
- Environment - air quality, water, noise
- Safety
- Land values
- Potential visual impacts of the facility
- Health and safety – Emergency Response Plan
Stakeholder Consultation and Operating Facilities
Our trust-based approach to stakeholder relations also provides continued support for our current operations as well as the opportunity to grow our business. Our approach and commitment to stakeholders involved with our more traditional facility work, including the installation of new substations, transmission lines or rebuilding existing facilities, is the same as that for new generation. Our good neighbour approach is defined by our commitment to actively build and maintain long-term relations with those affected by our operations.