Green Energy Act Oct 09

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Renewable Energy Approvals in Ontario

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Green Energy Act and Renewable Energy Approvals

October 28, 2009

Dianne Saxe, Ph.D.

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Overview Environmental Protection Act, Part V.0.1 Renewable Energy Approvals Regulations Hanna v. Ontario

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Bill 150 New Green Energy Act, 2009 Major amendments to eight statutes Minor amendments to seven statutes

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Key elements Commitment to conservation Priorities for renewables

feed in tariff right to connect streamlined approvals

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Major amendments: Electricity Act 1998 Ontario Energy Board Act 1998 Environmental Protection Act Cooperative Corporations Act Building Code Act, 1992 Planning Act Conservation Authorities Act Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act,

2006

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Environmental Protection Act New Part V.0.1 Designated renewable energy projects Renewable energy approvals EA definition of “environment” Exempt from most local/ prov. controls

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Getting Approvals 6 month service guarantee

Approvals ramping up Renewable energy policies Renewable energy facilitator

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Appeals Grounds:

Serious harm to human health Serious and irreversible harm to plant,

animal, natural environment meaning?

Opponent has onus

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Siting Will setbacks do it? Urban v. rural projects Special areas Approvals v. nuisance

Barrette v. St. Lawrence Cement

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Conservation Authorities Act CA must permit renewable energy projects

in controlled areas, except if necessary to control: Pollution Flooding Erosion Dynamic beaches

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Overview Green Energy Act, Part V.0.1 Renewable Energy Approvals Regulations Hanna v. Ontario

October 28 09 Dianne Saxe, Renewables Approvals

O. Reg. 359/09 4 classes:

anaerobic digestion solar thermal treatment wind

Includes standby fossil Exemptions:

wall/roof mounted solar/ wind

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Approvals Process Detailed application - Table 1 Consultation:

Public/ aboriginal/ municipal Protected areas Setbacks/ assessments

archaeology / heritage environment / water

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Process-specific rules Anaerobic digestion

odour control/ setbacks /FA Thermal

ESDM/ noise / FA Wind

noise/ setbacks cumulative impacts

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Appeals 6 month deemed approval Adjournments / judicial review delays

don’t count

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Moving target 359/09 already amended 367/09

new setbacks not applicable to existing/ previously approved / previously exempt wind projects

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Overview Green Energy Act, Part V.0.1 Renewable Energy Approvals Regulations Hanna v. Ontario

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Hanna v. Ontario Judicial review of 35, 53-55 Injunction against all wind approvals Alleges breach of SEV/ EBR/

precautionary principle “great scientific uncertainty around the health effects

of industrial wind turbines”

Minimal chance of success

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Thank you!!

Saxe Law Office248 Russell Hill Road

Toronto, Ontario M4V 2T2

Tel: 416-962-5882

Fax: 416-962-8817

Email: admin@envirolaw.com

www.envirolaw.com