The Alberta government says new high-voltage transmission lines are critical to meeting the power demands of a growing population. (CBC)

The Alberta Liberals are joining the list of people calling for public hearings on Bill 50.

The proposed provincial legislation would eliminate the legal requirement for public hearings into new power lines.

Projects that could be pushed through include two high-voltage transmission lines between Edmonton and Calgary. The estimated $15 billion cost of the projects would be paid for by utility users.

"Public interest consultation is absolutely necessary when we're talking about these projects, because they have an impact on every single Albertan today and for generations to come," David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, said Tuesday.

"The Stelmach administration must not be allowed to bulldoze opposition to their plans; Albertans must have their say."

In the past week, Enmax, which is Calgary's city-owned electric company, and Calgary City Council have spoken out in favour of public hearings into why the lines are necessary.

The province argues that transmission lines should fall under the same criteria as infrastructure, like roads and hospitals, that don't require public input if the work is critical.

The energy minister has said new lines, especially two between Calgary and Edmonton, are critical to avoid widespread electricity outages amid heavy demand.

Local power plant better idea

Swann said energy needs should be filled by more locally generated power, throwing his support behind Enmax's proposal to build a new power plant on the outskirts of Calgary.

"It's cheaper and better for the environment than building a new line from Edmonton and shipping the power south. And what about building a smart, modern grid rather than just rebuilding the old one?" he said.

Bill 50 is scheduled to be debated in the Alberta legislature in October.

Meanwhile, TransCanada Corp., the pipeline company with a diversified power generation division, came out in support of Bill 50 at a Calgary Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

Alex Pourbaix, president of energy for the company, said the province needs to act now to meet the growing future power demands of Albertans. TransCanada's success also hinges on the transmission grid's capacity, he told the business crowd.

The last major power construction in Alberta was done in the 1970s, Pourbaix said.

"Demand in the province has more than doubled, and we've really not built any material infrastructure during that period, I would argue. It's clear to me that the transmission system has not kept pace with the growth in Alberta," he said.

The province said in June that costs for the first phase of the new transmission lines would add about $8 more per month per household bill by 2017. Swann said other estimates suggest $200 to $400 per year.