Massive power line protested in Red Deer

A group of landowners wants to stop the construction of a massive power line from Edmonton to Calgary.

The group was set to protest AltaLink's proposed 500 mega-volt transmission line at an Alberta Energy and Utilities Board hearing in Red Deer Monday morning.

AltaLink says the transmission line, which will run from Genesee just outside of Edmonton to Calgary, is needed to increase the reliability of supply loads in central and southern Alberta.

Anthony Heidrick, who represents the landowners, said about 1,000 people in the area are opposed to the line because of health and environmental concerns.

"There are choices we need to make in this province of what is simply right and what is simply wrong and what's the best place to put things, rather than the most economically feasible dollar wise for the moment without considering any impacts."

The proposed line should run through another area of the province that's not so densely populated, he said.