OSEA's Municipal Green Energy Brief

The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association has created this blog specifically to help municipalities get honest information about their powers and responsibilities when it comes to renewable energy development. 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. We hope you find this resource useful and that you will visit us at ontario-sea.org to learn more about how we are working with communities across the province to make Ontario a cleaner, greener and more prosperous place. Visit OSEA Website

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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. 

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

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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 [email protected] 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.

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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.

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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.

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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:  [email protected]  416-325-3377 1-800-701-6454

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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. 

[email protected] 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)

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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.

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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.

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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:

biomass

biogas

landfill gas

on-shore wind

solar photovoltaic (PV)

waterpower.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Really.  Please ask them questions. Anything you like.  

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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. 

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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. 

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

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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.