logo
Article

Green Act could impact Muskoka

Bracebridge Examiner|Karen Longwell|April 29, 2009
MaineEnergy Policy

Proponents of renewable energy projects, such a wind or hydroelectric, may find support in a new provincial bill. At the same time, municipalities could find their bylaws overruled with the proposed Green Energy Act, said David Royston, solicitor for the District Municipality of Muskoka.


Proponents of renewable energy projects, such a wind or hydroelectric, may find support in a new provincial bill.

At the same time, municipalities could find their bylaws overruled with the proposed Green Energy Act, said David Royston, solicitor for the District Municipality of Muskoka.

Royston highlighted the proposed act and its implications for Muskoka at a recent district committee meeting.

The act, he explained, could impact communities protesting renewable energy projects, such as the hydroelectric project at Bala Falls.

Communities across the province have expressed concerns about renewable energy projects in their backyard, Royston said.

"The Bala Falls discussion happening here in Muskoka is being repeated over and …

... more [truncated due to possible copyright]

Proponents of renewable energy projects, such a wind or hydroelectric, may find support in a new provincial bill.

At the same time, municipalities could find their bylaws overruled with the proposed Green Energy Act, said David Royston, solicitor for the District Municipality of Muskoka.

Royston highlighted the proposed act and its implications for Muskoka at a recent district committee meeting.

The act, he explained, could impact communities protesting renewable energy projects, such as the hydroelectric project at Bala Falls.

Communities across the province have expressed concerns about renewable energy projects in their backyard, Royston said.

"The Bala Falls discussion happening here in Muskoka is being repeated over and over throughout Ontario and that may very well be the foundation for this section (on renewable energy projects)," said Royston.

Under the new act, the provincial government can designate a particular project as a renewable energy project. If the project is designated as such, municipal bylaws are inoperative as it applies to that project, said Royston.

"It (the act) gives a huge priority to renewable energy projects," he said.

The act will not influence what happens on a landowner's property, but it will override the municipality's ability to regulate what happens on private land, Royston said.

The act is currently in the process of passing through the legislature and appears to be moving faster than usual.

"It got put through the process fairly quickly," said Royston.

District chair Gord Adams agreed.

"It may not be passed now, but it is on the fast track," said Adams.

Bracebridge mayor Don Coates expressed concern about the act and its implications on local bylaws.

"Are we registering any objection to this?" asked Coates.

The Association of Ontario Municipalities has put together a list of objections, which councils may want to look into, Royston said.

There are a number of other new initiatives in the act, which could impact Muskoka.

The act will require sellers and certain lessors of lands to undertake energy audits.

Muskoka has a large leasing program, said Royston, from social housing to airport buildings.

A new ministry of energy may also actively search for sources of energy, in waste and renewable energy, said Royston.

"We need to recognize that we are in the waste business and we also need to recognize that there are lots of rivers in Muskoka. So if they have this role, they get active in it, some folks may be coming shopping at Muskoka's door," he said.

There may also be electricity rate increases to fund new conservation or renewable energy programs, he said.

Royston said the act will impose regulations rather than legislation. Regulations are passed by the provincial cabinet and are more flexible than legislation, he said.


Source:http://www.muskoka-news.com/a…

Share this post
Follow Us
RSS:XMLAtomJSON
Donate
Donate
Stay Updated

We respect your privacy and never share your contact information. | LEGAL NOTICES

Contact Us

WindAction.org
Lisa Linowes, Executive Director
phone: 603.838.6588

Email contact

General Copyright Statement: Most of the sourced material posted to WindAction.org is posted according to the Fair Use doctrine of copyright law for non-commercial news reporting, education and discussion purposes. Some articles we only show excerpts, and provide links to the original published material. Any article will be removed by request from copyright owner, please send takedown requests to: info@windaction.org

© 2024 INDUSTRIAL WIND ACTION GROUP CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WEBSITE GENEROUSLY DONATED BY PARKERHILL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION