About the WestTUC Community Alliance
The WestTUC Community Alliance Society is registered as a non-profit society in the province of Alberta, registration number 2014978299.
Mission
- To provide the west TUC with a strong voice to educate, inform, and raise awareness about the Heartland Transmission Project (in particular the use of an overhead double circuit, alternating current, 500KV power line) with elected officials, decision makers, and other stakeholders.
- To provide west TUC residents with an opportunity to provide feedback to elected representatives, decision-makers and stakeholders.
- To update west TUC residents, businesses, property owners, and land owners about emerging events and to activate and mobilize an appropriate response.
- To work, as equal stakeholders, with like-minded individuals and groups for causes which we have in common.
Values
- Respect for the individual and collective rights of property owners and voters living along the west TUC and other proposed routes and to protect by legal means the health and safety of their families, the environment, the aesthetics of their homes and neighborhoods, and the value of their property from the use of an overhead double circuit 500kV, alternating current high voltage transmission lined proposed by the Heartland Transmission Project.
- Responsible progress of the Province of Alberta that does not impose an unfair burden of social and environmental injustice on a select few living near the West Transportation and Utility Corridor or any other proposed route.
- Trust that our elected representatives will see that the use of a double circuit, alternating current 500kV high voltage transmission line for the Heartland Transmission Project near homes and schools along the west TUC and other proposed routes is socially unacceptable, irresponsible, non-defensible and lacks credibility.
Principles
- To conduct the affairs of the society in accordance with all relevant Municipal Bylaws and Provincial Acts, Policies and Procedures.
- To co-operate and collaborate as equal stakeholders with other individuals and organizations opposed to the use of an overhead line for the Heartland Transmission Project, or for other causes which we have in common.
“We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
History
A group of three individuals sat down on the morning of Saturday, June 27, 2009 and contemplated the nearly impossible task facing them: how to get the word out to the people living along the west TUC that the Heartland Transmission Project wasn't something that was "far away, in upgrader alley" and that they should be afraid.
We accomplished a few things that morning. We agreed to go door to door and talk to our neighbours. We would carry information and pictures from the project. We would ask people to sign a petition. We would encourage people to write letters and emails and spread the word. We got ourselves an email address and created an autoresponder to provide links to other information.
From such humble beginnings, our efforts were eventually combined with those of other individuals who worked tirelessly for the cause. We were able to put on a successful information session at Belmead Community Hall on July 14. From that point onwards, we were accorded nice bits of publicity, including a column from Scott McKeen at the Journal in late July. (Other press items can be accessed from our News page.)
On September 2, we were part of a major step forward when the City of Edmonton agreed to oppose the use of overhead lines for the project. The month of September was highlighted by the rousing success of another information session at the West Edmonton Christian Assembly on the 21st, when upwards of 1,400 people attended.
Membership
We are seeking members to add their voices to ours.
If our mission, values and principles appeal to you and you feel that we can work together, please join us today.
Questions? Feedback?
Email us at info@westtuc.org or westtuc@gmail.com