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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
October 28 09 Dianne Saxe, Renewables Approvals
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: [email protected]
www.envirolaw.com
