AltaLink Earns North American Accreditation as Right-of-Way Steward Utility

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Oct. 2, 2015) - AltaLink has been named by the Right-of-Way Stewardship Council (ROWSC) as an accredited Right-of-Way Steward Utility for sustainable integrated vegetation management (IVM) of their electric transmission rights-of-way.

The accreditation recognizes AltaLink for committing to the Council's stringent standards of excellence for the environmental management of the areas beneath their electric transmission powerlines.

"This is an important step for AltaLink in demonstrating our commitment to responsibly managing the environment around our structures," said Alan Lucas, AltaLink's manager of right-of-way management and field analysis. "Working with landowners, we identify ways in which vegetation can continue to safely grow in our rights-of-way, reintroduce and protect native plants, grasses and beneficial pollinator species, and promote the environmental health of the area."

AltaLink is the first accredited Canadian member of the Council and has been named among its founding utilities. "We hope to be an example to other utilities in Canada and throughout North America who share our commitment to environmental stewardship," added Lucas.

The ROWSC, based in Minneapolis, establishes rigorous management standards based on a set of predetermined principles, requires a formal application process, and enlists third-party auditors to ensure compliance with standards. The ROWSC Accreditation Standards for Assessing Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) Excellence establish the technical requirements for applicants seeking ROW Steward accreditation. The standards are applied in an independent audit of an applicant's integrated vegetation management program to aid in identifying excellence.

"Right-of-way steward utilities have adopted leading practices in right-of-way management systems, benefiting society and the environment by promoting sustainable resource management principles," said Dr. Jeff Howe of Dovetail Partners, program administrator for ROWSC. "Earning this accreditation involves the collective action and cooperation of a utility, its employees and residents. We congratulate everyone at AltaLink for this extraordinary achievement."

Headquartered in Calgary, with offices in Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge, AltaLink is Alberta's largest electricity transmission provider. We are committed to meeting the province's demand for electricity, providing innovative solutions, and partnering with our stakeholders and communities in doing so. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, AltaLink is part of a global group of companies delivering electricity and utility services to customers worldwide.

Right-of-Way Stewardship Council is an accreditation program that is being pursued by a diverse group of stakeholders to provide standards of excellence for environmental stewardship along rights-of-way (ROW) and presents the opportunity for utility companies to demonstrate their commitment to such standards. It establishes standards for responsible ROW vegetation management within high-voltage electric transmission corridors. The aim of the program is to promote the application of integrated vegetation management and best management practices to the utility vegetation management industry in order to maintain power system reliability and address ecological concerns.