An Alberta power company is heading for another confrontation with landowners.

Altalink wants to build a new substation to connect with a new power line in Southwest Alberta, but landowners say the proposed routes have changed dramatically since the line was approved two years ago.

The latest controversy surrounds a proposed power transmission line and substation. The dispute stems from a decision handed down two years ago based on a need for transmission infrastructure.

The commission has already decided the issues are significant enough to warrant a separate three day public hearing.

"The commission, on its own initiative, has decided it needs to take a look at whether or not the needs decision issued in 2009 would cover the project being proposed in the newest applications," says Geoff Scotton of the Alberta Utilities Commission.

The substation would tie in with a 500 kilovolt transmission line running from Calgary to British Columbia.

The transmission line would go from Pincher Creek to the new substation.

Residents contend the routes talked about two years ago are much different than the ones being put forward today.

Allan Garbutt's home was 10 kilometres from the substation on the original maps.

Altalink's latest proposal is much closer to his property.

"The game says that you tell the people who might be affected," says Garbutt. "You let them provide input, and then you come back and do some more talking. They skipped the first half of that with us."

John Lawson is among 100 farmers, ranchers, and property owners who belong to the Livingstone Landowners group. Most of them are people who've chosen to live in this part of the province because of it's unspoiled land.

"We're at the first morning of a three day hearing, and then there's a hearing process," says Lawson. "While all of this has been going on, Altalink has been out busily planning routes and telling people that they have all their approvals in place."

Peter Sherrington of the Alberta Wilderness Association says the region's beauty should not be disturbed.

"This is some of the most identifiable scenery in Southern Alberta," says Sherrington. "It has been described as iconic."

"It represents the heart of this province in many ways."

Altalink says there is confusion between what people saw during the need application process and what has come out since then.

A company spokesman says their job is to find the route that has the lowest overall impact taking into consideration the cost as well as environmental and public concerns.

Residents contend the company is proposing a variety of routes that would effectively industrialize and fragment the Porcupine Hills, the Oldman River basin, and the Livingstone range.

Landowners are scheduled to speak out against the line at the hearing on Wednesday.