OSEA's Municipal Green Energy Brief
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Municipalities are key partners in helping Ontario become a clean energy leader.
The municipal role in renewable energy development can include participating as a developer, encouraging projects for economic development purposes, establishing renewable energy policies and targets, providing comments and input on project design via the consultation process, authorizing the use of municipal property, entering into agreements with developers and enacting by-laws affecting projects, or any combination of these roles.
This guide is intended to help municipalities understand the renewable energy development process, with particular attention paid to the rights, responsibilities and opportunities for municipalities to be meaningful participants in development.
Description: Form used to apply for a consultation for a renewable energy approval.
Need help? Have questions? The folks at the Renewable Energy Facilitation Office are here to assist you. To assist in developing new renewable energy projects, the province has established the Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (REFO), a one-window access point for where individuals, communities and municipalities with projects of all sizes can obtain information and connect with the appropriate government and agency resources. If you are thinking about a renewable energy project but are unsure of what’s involved, then REFO is a good starting point for you. Contact REFO by e-mail at REFO@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-877-440-7336 (416-212-6582 within the GTA.) While inquiries can be directed to the office at any time, a REFO advisor is available Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm EST.
This is a simple overview of Wind. It provides basic details on the REA process, contact details, a short summary of the consultation process and a few words on appealing an approval decision.
In the posts following further details and information related to the REA process and other information pertinent to municipalities.
The National Illness Cost of Air Pollution study puts a dollar figure on the health and economic costs of air pollution in Canada. This initiative has produced Illness Costs of Air Pollution (ICAP) programs that can forecast health damages for each of the 10 provinces and for Canada as a whole.
All new regulations must be posted on the Environmental Registry for comment. This process is guided by the Environmental Bill of Rights. The ECO makes available a wide range of information on the Environmental Bill of Rights, including material to explain and help you exercise your rights under the EBR. The ECO also has an extensive resource centre that is open to the public. For more information, please see the ECO website or contact them at:
commissioner@eco.on.ca
416-325-3377
1-800-701-6454
Ontario’s Renewable Energy Approvals Regulation provides the basis for a positive relationship between renewable energy proponents and local communities. We encourage renewable energy proponents to take a step further by developing a strategy for enhancing a long lasting positive relationship with local residents.
Click on the title for the full web page and resources.
If they’re not being good neighbours contact the Renewable Energy Facilitation office (REFO) or the Ministry of the Environment.
REFO@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-877-440-7336 (416-212-6582 within the GTA.
MOE 1-800-565-4923 (416-325-8477 within the GTA)
Ontario is funding an academic research program being led by Dr. Siva Sivoththaman, Ontario Research Chair in Renewable Energy Technologies and Health. Dr. Sivoththaman, a faculty member at the University of Waterloo, was awarded the research chair position in 2010, following an independent and competitive application process, administered by theCouncil of Ontario Universities. He is an internationally known scientist in the field of renewable energy. Dr. Sivoththaman and his team are: Dr. Sivoththaman will have access to facilities in related academic departments within the University of Waterloo. He will also collaborate with researchers from the university’s faculty of applied health sciences.
When developing the Renewable Energy Approvals (REA) regulation, the Ministry of the Environment used existing scientific research from around the world. Reviewing a large body of reports and studies enabled the ministry to develop a regulation that was based on the best available science to protect human health and the environment. The ministry continues to review emerging scientific and engineering studies to ensure Ontario’s REA regulation remains in line with the latest and best in science.
Ontario’s feed-in tariff or FIT Program is North America’s first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production. It offers stable prices under long-term contracts for energy generated from renewable sources, including: The FIT Program was enabled by the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009which was passed into law on May 14, 2009. The Ontario Power Authority is responsible for implementing the program. By encouraging the development of renewable energy in Ontario, the FIT Program will: For an overview of the FIT Program, please click here.
