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Town still reviewing impact of ‘green' provincial policies

The Scope|Chris Simon |October 14, 2009
CanadaEnergy Policy

Recently, Innisfil council sent a letter to the provincial government, expressing concerns over the regulations. The letter encouraged the province to accept recommendations from the town's Innisfil Alternative Energy Ad Hoc Committee, which call for changes to setbacks for renewable energy projects, clean-up requirements and other aspects of the Act. The Act also gives jurisdiction over project approvals to the province, said Jackson.


It's still a bit premature to understand the impacts new Green Energy Act regulations will have on Innisfil, according to mayor Brian Jackson.

The provincial government released regulations relating to the Act late last month. Components of the plan include a new Feed-In-Tariff program, which will allow individuals and companies to sell renewable energy to the provincial power grid at set rates. The regulations will also streamline the approval process for alternative energy projects, establish mandatory setbacks from houses, roadways and property lines, and create a provincial facilitation office.

"There's an opportunity to address the issue of setback and spacial separation for residents near these things," said Jackson. "That was …

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It's still a bit premature to understand the impacts new Green Energy Act regulations will have on Innisfil, according to mayor Brian Jackson.

The provincial government released regulations relating to the Act late last month. Components of the plan include a new Feed-In-Tariff program, which will allow individuals and companies to sell renewable energy to the provincial power grid at set rates. The regulations will also streamline the approval process for alternative energy projects, establish mandatory setbacks from houses, roadways and property lines, and create a provincial facilitation office.

"There's an opportunity to address the issue of setback and spacial separation for residents near these things," said Jackson. "That was one of our major concerns when we had meetings about this."

The Act is expected to create up to 50,000 new jobs, expand the power grid and encourage the use of energy efficient appliances, products and power sources. Regulations will also lead to a greater use of solar, wind, hydroelectricity and other forms of 'green' energy, according to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

"Our ambition is to increase the standard of living and quality of life for all Ontario's families. That is best achieved by creating the conditions for green economic growth," said Deputy Premier George Smitherman.

Under the regulations, new conservation measures will be put in place, to protect low income Ontarians from increases in energy prices, he said.

Recently, Innisfil council sent a letter to the provincial government, expressing concerns over the regulations. The letter encouraged the province to accept recommendations from the town's Innisfil Alternative Energy Ad Hoc Committee, which call for changes to setbacks for renewable energy projects, clean-up requirements and other aspects of the Act. The Act also gives jurisdiction over project approvals to the province, said Jackson.

Jackson says the ad hoc committee may meet again soon, to determine the impact of regulations. The committee is responsible for providing recommendations on 'green' energy policies for the municipality to council. It also investigates different types of alternative energy production methods, review examples from other jurisdictions, and conduct public consultation.

"Our committee may reconvene to evaluate this, and see how the town moves forward," said Jackson. "It's appropriate the province take the lead on this, without question. It's unfortunate in some circumstances, like 'no smoking' bylaws, which were downloaded to municipalities. There was unequal application of the regulation. This way, it makes it equal across the province. The province made a wise move."

The ad hoc committee was organized following several requests for wind tower and turbine erection, and solar energy usage within the municipality. Over the last year, council has received requests for the construction of five wind turbines between the 5th and 6th lines, near Highway 400, and the erection of wind monitoring towers near Fennel's Corners. The towers are the first step towards the construction of turbines.

Both projects have been opposed by several residents, who worry about the impact on health and property values. The opponents also claim wind is unreliable, and uses a small percentage of its potential generation capacity.

However, there is little indication of exactly how the regulations will affect the proposed wind projects, said Jackson.

"I don't believe there's been further action from (representatives for) either project," he said. "We're going to have to step back and see where they're going with applications."


Source:http://www.innisfilscope.com/…

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