Regina Area Southeast Reinforcement

Between December 2023 and June 2024, we met with the Rural Municipalities of Sherwood, Bratt’s Lake, Edenwold, Lajord, Francis, Montmartre and Glenavon and other stakeholders to share information and learn their perspectives on this project. We connected by phone and email with over 260 landowners; and met face to face with approximately 140 landowners at our site offices and in our office in Regina. Thanks to all who willingly gave their time and offered sincere perspectives.

What We Heard

We’ve summarized what we’ve heard into four sections. All feedback is under review with the project team. We’re adjusting route options based on our routing criteria where applicable. If we’ve missed or misrepresented anything, please reach out to by June 28, 2024.

Poplar River to Condie Sectionalization – specific comments

• Reduce the amount of agricultural land stranded by structures.
• Some landowners prefer to keep the infrastructure together; others feel they’ve been impacted enough.
• There are City of Regina water lines in the area.
• Large sloughs are present in wetter years.

Rowatt to Fleet – specific comments

• There are many acreage properties in the area and should be avoided.
• Maintain as much clearance as possible from residences.
• TransGas projects in the area; many feel this is too much impact for the area.
  • Preference to cross the highway to avoid construction/infrastructure congestion.
• The Wascana Creek tends to flood in the spring.
• There is an airstrip located between NW & SW 23-16-19 W2.

Peebles To Rowatt – specific comments

• Majority of landowners prefer to have structures placed along boundary lines (near roads). There are some who would like to see structures split between quarter sections and shared with adjacent parcels.
• Existing transmission lines already run at an angle through the area, why weren’t the existing lines followed?
  • Our response: SaskPower’s current routing practices are to follow the square to reduce impact and provide better access for maintenance. We have heard in the past to avoid splitting land in half at an angle over long distances.
• Why not follow the highways?
  • Our response: Routing the transmission lines along highways was considered, but due to the deflections and setbacks that would be needed, it was determined to not be a feasible route option for this project.
• Why isn’t there a route that follows the coulee?
  • Our response: Routing along the coulee was not considered due to the added distance and cost when compared to the routes being proposed. Accessibility for future maintenance was also considered.
• There are yard sites that were not included on the maps.
  • Our response: These have been noted to the project team and will be added.
• Large sloughs are present in wetter years.
• There is an airstrip located on SE 26-14-14 W2.

Overall Project Comments

Compensation and land value

• Landowners were interested what the compensation will be.
  • Our response: This information will be shared with landowners impacted by the preferred route, and once SaskPower has reached the 90 per cent design completion. Compensation is dependent on recent land sales in the area and the impact of structures to be installed on a property.
• An Independent Power Producer has secured options from landowners near the Rowatt station, for wind and solar competitions.
• Landowners are concerned with potential loss of land value.

Reduce impact to residences

• Maintain as much clearance as possible from residences.
  • Our response: As per CSA Standard for 230 kV power lines SaskPower must maintain a minimum of 61 m from an occupied dwelling and 30 m from a barn or shop.
• Concerns about EMFs.
  • Our response: The electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) readings from powerlines are less than common household items such as microwaves and televisions.
• Concerns about cell phone usage.
• Transmission lines do not interrupt cellular service.

Reduce impact to agricultural operations

• Avoid placing structures in the middle of fields.
• Minimize the number of corner structures, anchors and guy wires.
• Minimize the amount of stranded/unfarmable land. Accommodate large equipment.
• Consider current farming practices when routing along quarter section lines.

Minimize impact to wildlife/environment

• There is active wildlife in the area.
  • Some land is used for recreational purposes.

Distribution lines

• There are many above-ground distribution lines located in the road allowances along the route options. If a route is chosen where the transmission lines would run parallel to an existing distribution line, there’s a minimum distance between the lines for safety reasons.

Construction

• Avoid scheduling work at times that would result in crop damages.
• Dust control measures should be considered.

Fiber optic lines

• Comments about more fibre optic lines being installed.
  • Our response: Fibre optic lines will not be required for this project as SaskPower already has sufficient fibre networks in this area.

Potential future infrastructure

• Landowners were interested and, in some cases, concerned about what additional projects they can expect to see from SaskPower and how they might potentially be impacted.
  • Our response: Our planning approach relies on dynamic external factors. We anticipate needing new generation from now until 2035. The Regina area will continue to be of interest. We’ll look to share more information about our planning approach.

What’s Next

We’re applying feedback received to our routing considerations, to help determine recommended routes for the three power lines. We expect to have recommended routes ready after harvest and will reach out again for additional comments and possible ways to address concerns.

It’s not too late to share additional thoughts with us. Please call toll free 1-833-706-3032 or email if you have further questions or comments.

Other SaskPower Plans in the Rowatt Area

We’ve started looking at the Rowatt area, along with Belle Plaine and Swift Current, for one or more natural gas power station sites. We are seeking feedback on what we should consider as we look at possible sites. Check out saskpower.com/PotentialGasSite for more info. Or visit our site office to review our siting approach for the area.

Royal Hotel, 4025 Albert Street, Regina
June 18: Noon – 5 pm
June 19: 10 am – 5 pm