Title
TransAlta Power Plant Development Permit
Proposed Motion(s)
That Council approve Development Permit 14-D-040 in accordance with Administration's recommended eighteen (18) conditions as outlined in attached Schedule "A".
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration supports the proposed motion to approve Development Permit 14-D-040 for the construction and operation of a natural gas fired electrical power plant located on NW & SW 10-52-03-W5 (TransAlta).
Purpose
The subject lands are within the Highvale Mine End Direct Control District and the Resource Extraction District. The purpose to the Direct Control district is to enable and permit Council to regulate and control the use and development of these lands.
Summary
TransAlta has been working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that they have the opportunity to raise concerns and potential issued related to the development of the Sundance 7 Project and will continue to work and meet with stakeholder through out the development of this project. The stakeholders have included Alberta Transportation, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta Utilities Commission, First Nations and all adjacent area residents.
As Alberta's population grows so does the demand for electricity and due to the expected retirement of coal fired power plants by the end of 2019, as a result of federal legislation, this project will be critical to meet the current and future electrical demands of the Alberta market.
Once the Sundance 7 facility is operational the natural gas generation facility will generate enough electricity to power approximately 720,000 Alberta households.
EBA Engineering did a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) for the TransAlta project, which was reviewed by Parkland County Engineering Services. Engineering Services has no concerns with the analysis and recommendations of the TIA. Administration (in proposed approval condition #8) has required the applicant "prior to building permit submission" to provide a Traffic Management Plan acceptable to Parkland County, and that that the applicant adhere to this Plan (condition #9).
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications (As Required)
N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A
Other (As Required)
N/A