For the most part, transmission lines look different from distribution lines. AltaLink owns and operates transmission lines, which are higher voltage than distribution lines. If in doubt, please give us a call.

Vehicles or equipment measuring up to 4.3 metres (14 feet) tall can be safely operated under a transmission line. Remember items such as antennas when measuring the height of your equipment. Never pass under a line with equipment that could contact the line. The greatest amount of clearance is midway between the poles or towers. If you are unsure about clearance or have to move something that is too high, please contact us for assistance.

We don’t recommend fueling vehicles under transmission lines. If you must fuel a vehicle under a line, make sure to ground both the fuel container and the vehicle so any sources of sparks are eliminated.

Cable or satellite television reception is not affected by transmission lines, therefore reception problems are unlikely. However, if you use an antenna for your television and are experiencing reception problems, we can usually fix them easily. But we can’t do anything about poor reception you might have had before the line was built.

If you would like us to measure your television reception, or if you think you might be experiencing poor television reception as a result of a transmission line, please let us know. GPS should also not be affected by transmission facilities, but if you’d like us to come and check your system please give us a call.

AltaLink will make sure your fences are safe to touch. Let us know if you put up new fences or gates near the line and we’ll make sure they are safe and our access to the right-of-way is maintained. We can also protect nearby electric fences upon request.

Because trees can be a safety hazard near transmission lines, AltaLink prefers to keep the right-of-way free of trees. This is done by mechanical (cutting) or chemical control (herbicide spraying).

However, if the trees are of value and the landowner wants to keep them, when possible, we will trim them when they grow too close to the wires. If you are planning to plant trees on or close to the right-of-way, please contact AltaLink for the best location and varieties to plant.

Weed control around the poles or towers is the responsibility of the landowner. The cost of weed control is one of the items included in the annual structure payments.

Yes, the land under a transmission line can be farmed.

Never start a fire under or near a transmission line because the smoke or hot air could create a conductive path to the ground. The poles or towers could also be damaged by a brush fire. Smoke plumes from equipment exhaust are not a concern.

Buildings and structures (houses, garages, sheds, quonsets, light standards, antennas, masts, etc.) are not permitted on the transmission line right-of-way. Buildings and structures could also require additional setback from the edge of the right-of-way in order to maintain regulated safety standards.

The safe distance between buildings and transmission lines depends on the voltage of the line, the type of construction, building type and height, and location. If you want to erect a new building after the line is built, contact us and we will advise you of the distance requirements.

Electrical charges will not normally build up on most buildings close to lines because the plumbing, wiring or the frame usually grounds them. AltaLink will ground any metal buildings that could store an electrical charge.

EMF is short for Electric and Magnetic Fields. EMF are found virtually everywhere electricity is used in our modern society, for example, EMF exists around household wiring, electrical appliances and transmission lines.

AltaLink recognizes that some people are concerned about EMF, and we treat those concerns very seriously. AltaLink provides information to people who have questions to keep them informed about the status of EMF research, as summarized by national and international scientific and health agencies, including Health Canada and the World Health Organization. AltaLink does not conduct health research but does take measurements of fields near its facilities.

After more than 30 years of research that includes thousands of studies and reviews by multiple agencies, none of these agencies have concluded that exposure to EMF from power lines is a demonstrated cause of any long-term adverse effects to human, plant or animal health. They have not recommended that the general public take steps to limit their everyday exposure to EMF.