'Green' act leaves councillors unsure about their role
Although Ontario municipalities are still learning the details regarding their role in future ‘green energy' projects throughout the province, Scugog councillors have commented to the province on the potential impact to rural lands from a new provincial act that may also exempt the township from the decision-making process when it comes to planning renewable energy developments.
Councillors had their first chance to comment on the province's new Green Energy and Green Economy Act, which was passed in mid-May and aims to encourage the development of renewable energy sources while creating new jobs throughout Ontario. Although the act has already received royal assent, said planning and public works commissioner Gene Chartier, municipalities are in "a period of purgatory" awaiting to hear the specific regulations associated with the legislation, which may remove municipal governments from having any approval role in such developments. A report by township staff states that should the Act be proclaimed in its current state, it would, in addition to overriding municipal approval, limit the powers of conservation authorities to deny such projects unless necessary to control pollution, flooding or erosion.
Currently, there is a wind energy farm proposed for a Saintfield Rd. property, which is undergoing an environmental screening for the development. According to Scugog planner Diane Knutson, the developer of the property, Standard Power Corporation, will likely wait and see the full list of regulations in the Act before proceeding with the wind farm.
Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce raised the issue of the Act's potential impact on farmland in rural municipalities. According to the mayor, the Act should hold agricultural property to the same standard as lands in the Niagara Escarpment, which require green energy developers to receive extra approval from the Niagara Escarpment Commission to build on those lands. "There are many areas in this province where renewable energy projects could be planned, and not on lands we need to feed people," said the mayor.
Although the Act's regulations have not yet been revealed, Mr. Chartier told councillors that he expects the township's role in approving green energy projects will be similar to that of federally-regulated telecommunications towers: the municipality may have no official approval role, but will host public meetings and may "have input on the appearance" of such facilities.
"It's important we stay on top (of the Act) so the government hears what citizens are concerned about," said the mayor, citing such issues as noise and the health impacts of from wind turbines.