OSEA's Municipal Green Energy Brief

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT: A Guide for Municipalities

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:16:47 -0500

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT: A Guide for Municipalities:

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.

Renewable Energy Consultation Form for Municipalities

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:09:39 -0500

Renewable Energy Consultation Form for Municipalities:

Description: Form used to apply for a consultation for a renewable energy approval.

Need help? Have questions? The folks at the Renewable Energy...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:07:04 -0500

Need help? Have questions? The folks at the Renewable Energy Facilitation Office are here to assist you.

Ontario’s Green Energy Act is making it easier for people and organizations to develop renewable energy projects. New processes and programs are helping Ontario become a North American leader in attracting clean energy projects and green jobs. These include:

provincewide standards for renewable energy projects, such as standardized setback requirements for wind farms
a streamlined approvals process with service guarantees for renewable energy projects while ensuring that high safety and environmental standards are met
a Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program that guarantees specific rates for energy generated from renewable sources.

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.

A two page brief on Wind Facilities and the Renewable Energy Approvals process

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:01:32 -0500

A two page brief on Wind Facilities and the Renewable Energy Approvals process:

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 Cost of Air Pollution in Ontario

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:53:33 -0500

The Cost of Air Pollution in Ontario:

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.

The Environmental Bill of Rights

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:52:11 -0500

The Environmental Bill of Rights:

All new regulations must be posted on the Environmental Registry for comment. This process is guided by the Environmental Bill of Rights.

The mandate of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) includes monitoring that the provincial government complies with the requirements of the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) and providing public education on EBR-related matters.

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

Developers are being told to be good neighbours: Here are some best practices they should be following

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:54:54 -0500

Developers are being told to be good neighbours: Here are some best practices they should be following:

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)

Supporting new scientific research regarding the health impacts of dirty and clean energy

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:45:44 -0500

Supporting new scientific research regarding the health impacts of dirty and clean energy:

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:

conducting research on potential health effects of renewable energy technology, beginning with studies that expand on current knowledge of potential health effects related to energy from wind
building networks with other researchers and research bodies in Canada and internationally
contributing to public understanding and policy development in the area of potential health effects of renewable energy technologies

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.

Scientific research behind the Renewable Energy Approval regulation

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:40:27 -0500

Scientific research behind the Renewable Energy Approval regulation:

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.

studies reviewed by the ministry when developing the regulation

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.

Read the full page by clicking on the title above.

What is the Feed-in Tariff program?

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:36:53 -0500

What is the Feed-in Tariff program?:

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:

help Ontario phase out coal-fired electricity generation by 2014 - the largest climate change initiative in Canada
boost economic activity and the development of renewable energy technologies
create new green industries and jobs.

For an overview of the FIT Program, please click here.

Renewable Energy Approvals Regulation under the Environmental Protection Act: Reg 359/09

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:33:35 -0500

Renewable Energy Approvals Regulation under the Environmental Protection Act: Reg 359/09:

The Green Energy and Green Economy Act triggered the creation of the Renewable Energy Approvals process under the Environmental Protection Act. A Renewable Energy Approval ensures projects meeting Ontario’s standards to protect human health and the environment - standards that are among the strictest in North America, including a 550-metre setback for wind turbines and a 40-decible noise limit.

Click the title above to review the Renewable Energy Approvals regulation in full.

Check out the status of which REAs are complete, being processed, have been returned, are incomplete or withdrawn

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:25:03 -0500

Check out the status of which REAs are complete, being processed, have been returned, are incomplete or withdrawn:

All Renewable Energy Approvals (the process that merged a patchwork of processes) that are under review are posted on the Ministry of the Environment’s website. With this page you can easily see who has progressed, who has had to go back and do some more work and who have withdrawn or been asked to withdraw from the process.

Ask the Ministry of the Environment a question about dirty or sustainable energy

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:20:08 -0500

Ask the Ministry of the Environment a question about dirty or sustainable energy:

Really. Please ask them questions. Anything you like.

About the Environmental Review Tribunal who oversee REA appeals

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:13:13 -0500

About the Environmental Review Tribunal who oversee REA appeals:

The Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) is one of the five Tribunals within the Environment and Land Tribunals Ontario cluster. The ERT is committed to conducting timely, fair, efficient and impartial hearings that protect the environment and are consistent with the governing legislation.

The ERT functions as a quasi-judicial body, subject to the rules of natural justice and the requirements of the Statutory Powers Procedure Act.

The ERT primary role is adjudicating applications and appeals under various environmental and planning statutes.

The ERT hears applications and appeals under the Clean Water Act, 2006, the Environmental Assessment Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Pesticides Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009, leave to appeal applications under the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, and matters under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001, and the Greenbelt Act, 2005.

The Environmental Review Tribunal also functions as the Office of Consolidated Hearings to hear applications made under theConsolidated Hearings Act and as the Niagara Escarpment Hearing Office to hear development permit appeals and Niagara Escarpment Plan amendment applications under the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act.

Appealing a renewable energy project: The Environmental Review Tribunal

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:10:32 -0500

Appealing a renewable energy project: The Environmental Review Tribunal:

Anyone can appeal the approval of a proposed renewable energy project. The Environmental Review Tribunal will have six months to assess whether or not the proposed project will cause serious harm to human health or serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal life or the natural environment.

This balances the need for certainty and timeliness of approvals with the need for legitimate concerns to be heard and addressed.

For more information on the Environmental Review Tribunal and how to appeal, please visit www.ert.gov.on.ca.

The Renewable Energy Approvals processed managed by the Ministry...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:56:59 -0500

The Renewable Energy Approvals processed managed by the Ministry of the Environment for all renewable energy projects.

Diagram of the Renewable Energy Approvals consultation process

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:54:52 -0500

Diagram of the Renewable Energy Approvals consultation process:

The Renewable Energy Approvals (REA) regulation requires project applicants (developers) to engage the public, municipal governments and Aboriginal communities in consultation about proposed energy projects.

In their application packages, developers must document concerns that have been raised by local groups and individuals, and they must describe how these concerns have been addressed.

See the diagram of the consultation process by clicking on the title above.

How to work with Energy Developers in your community

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:48:46 -0500

How to work with Energy Developers in your community:

The Ministry of the Environment provides a simple list of ways to engage developers who have come to your backyard.

Ontario's Renewable Energy Approval Process: Replacing the patchwork of processes

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:46:03 -0500

Ontario's Renewable Energy Approval Process: Replacing the patchwork of processes:

The Association of Power Producers of Ontario provide their large scale developer perspective of the new Renewable Energy Approvals (REA) process and how it captures the Environmental Assessment requirements and other processes.

Read their online article by clicking the title above.

Getting it Right – Not Quite – Ontario’s Green Energy Act

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:37:07 -0500

Getting it Right – Not Quite – Ontario’s Green Energy Act:

Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act has by almost any measure of performance - applications, investment, jobs, industrial development - been a great success, but so far, few feed in tariff contracts are in commercial operation. What was right and what has gone wrong? OSEA board member Marion Fraser answers this question in her paper Getting it Right – Not Quite – Ontario’s Green Energy Act. Fraser explores the gap between policy and implementation with an examination of how politics frustrates policy; how public sector organizations can impair public policy and how self-interest trumps the greater good.

Visit the page via the title above to read the paper in full.