Frequently Asked Questions
What is a right-of-way?
A right-of-way (ROW) is a type of easement that provides access to your property. We establish a ROW whenever we build a power line. We need the ROW to ensure safe access to construct, operate and maintain the transmission line. It’s important to ensure proper clearance is maintained around our power lines.
Do power lines emit harmful Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs)?
EMFs are around us every day. They’re found wherever we use power – whether that’s a TV, computer, hair dryer, or a power line. EMFs emitted by power lines are extremely low frequency. They don’t present a health risk. Learn more about EMFs.
What’s the typical distance from a transmission line to a home?
We make sure there's a safe space between power lines and homes. This varies depending on the voltage of the power line. Check out the recommended minimum distances below:
Power Line Voltage | Required Clearance |
72 kilovolt (kV) | 31 metre (m) |
138 kV | 46 m |
230 kV | 61 m |
When we can, we try to maintain 160 m of distance to homes.
What's a planning corridor?
A planning corridor is a section of land where we’re considering building a power line. We typically start with a 300 m corridor when planning for a transmission power line. Through our consultation and design process, we’ll learn where within the corridor makes the most sense to site the power line. Some of the factors that could influence where it’s sited include the presence of waterbodies, oil wells, roads, heritage sites, and many more. Even though the planning corridor starts as wide as 300 m, it’ll narrow to an approximate 40 m right-of-way for the power line.