City officials are touting the approval of a new power substation as a way of servicing new industry and broadening the municipality’s tax base. In a press release, the City of Chestermere said it learned on May 26 that the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has approved AltaLink’s proposed substation location in the far southeast area of the city.
“We are very pleased with this announcement,” said Jean-Marc Lacasse, Chestermere’s Economic Development Manager. “In addition to providing better power reliability for all residents, this substation is the first sale in the city’s light industrial park. We are confident that its development will encourage more non-residential expansion in our community.”
Broadening the tax base is proving to be a pivotal issue in the run up to October’s elections. Chestermere presently relies on residential assessments for 95% of its revenues.
“While adding non-residential tax revenues is a strategic priority for the city, officials were also cognizant of residents’ concerns and the city requested Altalink to move its proposed site more than 400 meters away from residents,” it said.
AltaLink submitted its proposal to the AUC in the Fall of 2016. The approved site is situated along Township Road 240, 350 metres east of Range Road 282.
As part of the public consultation process, the AUC held public hearings that concluded on March 2.
