Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

Reacting to long-standing criticism about the lack of municipal control in the Green Energy Act, the provincial government has announced several major changes to the approvals process for renewable energy projects over 500 kilowatts in size.

While stopping short of offering municipalities veto power over projects proposed within their boundaries, the new rules will require developers to work with municipalities to determine acceptable locations for their turbines or solar arrays, and give priority to projects that feature a partnership between developers and municipalities.

“It’s… clear that we need to make changes to increase local control over the siting of renewable energy projects,” said Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli in a press release. “These changes will give communities and municipalities a stronger voice, more options and new tools when it comes to renewable energy.”

The province also announced that it will revise the program rules for projects between 10 and 500 kilowatts to give priority to projects partnered or led by municipalities, work with municipalities to determine a property tax rate increase for wind turbine towers, and provide funding to help small and medium-sized municipalities develop Municipal Energy Plans that will focus on increasing conservation and helping to identify the best energy infrastructure options for a community.

Opponents to wind energy have objected to the new rules, saying that veto power is the only acceptable option for municipalities.

The changes will not affect the wpd Canada proposal for an eight-turbine, 18.4 megawatt wind development in the vicinity of Fairgrounds Road and County Road 91.

Clearview Council will debate a motion put forward by Councillor Thom Paterson on Monday, June 10, which could see the Township declare itself an “unwilling host” for wind turbines.

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