MATL power-line appeal rejected

All landowner challenges have been settled in Montana, but 16 farmers and farm corporations in Alberta had challenged decisions by the Alberta Energy Utilities Board to let the project go forward.

"We are satisfied that the EUB's assessment of public interest was made having regard to the broad range of benefits and burdens associated with the construction and operation of the international power line," wrote Justices Constance Hunt and Clifton O'Brien.

However, Justice Carole Conrad dissented, saying that the EUB should have considered alternate routes for the 300-megawatt power line.

The farmers' lawyer, Scott Stenbeck of Medicine Hat, Alberta, said he and his clients will discuss whether to request that the Supreme Court of Canada hear the case.

But for MATL, it's a green light for development.

"With this decision, we will focus on acquiring the final rights of way and beginning to implement our construction plan," Williams said.

All major permits have been issued, he said, but now MATL will begin applying for supporting permits for things like crossing roads along the route of the 214-mile transmission line.

That includes 130 miles in Montana. It would run through Cascade, Teton, Pondera and Glacier counties.

"We hope to begin construction this fall," Williams said. "And it's estimated that the project will take about 12 months to complete."

All capacity for the line has already been spoken for.

Two wind farm operators, Invenergy and Wind Hunter, will share the 300-megawatt southbound capacity into Great Falls.

"These wind developers haven't decided exactly where they will be developing their wind projects, but there appear to be a number of acceptable sites in the Cut Bank area, which is approximately at the midpoint of this project," Williams said.

NaturEner has contracted the northbound capacity into Lethbridge and has been building the 210-megawatt Glacier Wind Farm south of Ethridge, which is a dozen miles southeast of Cut Bank in Toole County.

"The power flow would typically be only one direction at any point in time, but it has to be flexible enough to transmit electricity in either direction at different times of the day or during different seasons," Williams said.

Spokesmen for the three wind farm companies did not return calls Tuesday seeking comment about their future plans.