Montana-Alberta power line gets tentative approval

A controversial proposal to build a 130-kilometre power line between Lethbridge, Alta., and Great Falls, Mont., has received conditional approval from Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board.

Montana Alberta Tie Ltd., owned by Toronto-based Tonbridge Power, wants to build the 230-kilovolt line to move electricity between the two countries. The line would not be part of the Alberta power grid.

In its decision released Thursday, the utilities board said before final approval is granted the company must deal with the concerns of local landowners opposed to the project.

The landowners are concerned the power line will cause health problems, prevent aerial spraying, and reduce their property values.

Cattle producer John Lutz said the fight is far from over.

"I guess we've got to wait and see if they come back and try and deal with us in a respectful manner — I didn't think they did the first time," Lutz said.

The landowners may have to get a lawyer to determine their legal options, he said.

The company has until April 30 to present the utilities board with details of how it's dealt with the landowners' concerns.

If the project is approved, it will be monitored by the Alberta Utilities Commission, one of two bodies that replaced the Energy and Utilities Board on Jan. 1.