Nation Rise wind project community open house pre-construction
“Wind farms are more than just an eye sore. Turbines also produce light pollution at night, as they are required to have bright lights to warn off aircraft. They taint the countryside with irritating noise and are causing or amplifying health problems such as insomnia and more severe issues, including hearing impairment and cardiovascular issues. In 2018, the European Environment Agency, based on information provided by the World Health Organization,stated that noise disturbance causes these health issues.”
ERO number 019-3471 Notice type Regulation Act Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 Posted by Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines Notice stage Proposal Proposal posted April 15, 2021 Comment period April 15, 2021 – May 25, 2021 (40 days) Open Last updated April 15, 2021
We are proposing to repeal sections of the Electricity Act, 1998 and the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 that were introduced under the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 to promote and prioritize the development of renewable energy.
We are proposing to repeal three sets of legislative provisions in the Electricity Act, 1998 (EA) and the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (OEBA) that promote and prioritize renewable energy generation projects. Ontario has built a clean energy supply. Prioritizing renewable generation is no longer appropriate.Going forward, Ontario will ensure value for ratepayers by allowing all resources to compete to meet system needs.
First, we propose to repeal section 25.37 and clause 114 (1.4) (0.a.1) of the EA. Together with O. Reg. 326/09 (Mandatory Information Re Connections), these sections prescribe timelines for completing complex grid connection assessments for renewable energy projects and other requirements that apply to Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). These provisions also prescribe requirements that LDCs and the IESO must report quarterly on the number of assessments they complete and the ability of the system to accommodate more projects.
A related proposal to revoke O. Reg. 326/09 was posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario on December 15, 2020 for a 50-day public comment period.
These actions would remove priority timelines for LDCs and the IESO to complete complex grid connection assessments for renewable energy projects and bring consistency for all generation types seeking similar assessments. Removing these provisions would help make Ontario more competitive by cutting red tape and reducing regulatory burden and aligns with the following ongoing initiatives led by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and the IESO, as set out below.
Through the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review initiative, the OEB is reviewing the requirements for the connection of DERs by licensed electricity distributors. The OEB is consulting with customers, DER providers, industry associations and distributors to identify barriers to the connection of DERs, and where appropriate, standardize and improve the connection process.
As part of the Framework for Energy Innovation: Distributed Resources and Utility Incentives consultation, the OEB is working with stakeholders to identify and consider regulatory reforms that would facilitate investment in DERs on the basis of the value to consumers, which may include exploring new and innovative ways to make system information available.
This would also align with the IESO’s efforts to plan for future electricity supply in a manner that offers value to ratepayers by allowing any resource that can meet system needs to compete.
Second, we propose to repeal sections 26 (1.1), (1.2) and (1.3) of the EA, and paragraph 1 of subsection 70(2.1) of the OEBA, which create the authority to make a regulation that would provide priority grid access for renewable energy generation facilities. No regulation was made under this authority, so this prioritization was never implemented.
Third, we propose to repeal paragraph 2 of section 96(2) of the OEBA, which requires the OEB to consider the promotion of energy from renewable sources when determining if a Leave to Construct application for an electricity transmission project is in the public interest. Repealing this paragraph will focus the scope of the OEB’s Leave to Construct hearings on the topics of price, reliability, and quality of service.
This repeal aligns with amendments made to the OEBA in 2020 to remove an OEB objective to promote renewable energy generation, including through the expansion or reinforcement of transmission and distribution systems to accommodate the connection of renewable energy generation facilities.
Important notice: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, viewing supporting materials in person is not available at this time.
Please reach out to the Contact listed in this notice to see if alternate arrangements can be made.
Comment
Let us know what you think of our proposal. Have questions? Get in touch with the contact person below. Please include the ERO number for this notice in your email or letter to the contact.
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Lawyer Alan Whitely wrote to the Ontario government in July 2020, in an effort to affect modernization of the justice system. The goal was to improve access to justice for the people. The Green Energy Act was used as an example and recommendations were given to prevent this from happening again. He received no response from the Government. Even though the Green Energy Act was repealed in 2019 the consequences and impacts of renewable energy projects continue to divide Ontario.
Whiteley, A.,Dumbrille, A., & Hirsch, J. (2021). Access to Justice: Recommended Reforms to the Ontario Justice System Using the Green Energy Act as an Example. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 9, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.91001
Enercon industrial wind turbine under construction for Niagara Wind project located in part in West Lincoln Township, Ontario
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING FOR PLANNING MATTERS Get involved with your input. The Township of West Lincoln Planning/Building/Environmental Committee will hold a Public Meeting in accordance with the Planning Act where the matter(s) below will be considered. The meeting will take place:
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING DATE: December 22nd, 2020 DATE: Monday, January 11th, 2021 TIME: 6:30 – 8 PM TIME: 6:30PM LOCATION: ZOOM Meeting* LOCATION: ZOOM Meeting* *Please see below for further details on how to participate on Zoom or through an alternative method
About the Planning Application: File No. and Name: 1701-005-19 – Township of West Lincoln – Renewable Energy Policies The Township of West Lincoln has commenced an Official Plan Amendment process to create new Official Plan policies regarding Renewable Energy Policies within the Township. The Green Energy and Green Economy Act was first approved in 2009 by the Provincial Government and placed the approval and authority for all Green Energy applications at the Provincial level. Local land use planning policies were over ridden by that act. The current government has now repealed most of this previous legislation resulting in the need for local renewable energy land use planning policy again.
Staff is proposing the Township of West Lincoln Official Plan be amended by adding Section 13.4 to the consolidated Township of West Lincoln Official Plan. The amendment proposes that if a renewable energy system is being installed for the benefit of one house or one property and less than 10 KW then no amendment to the Official Plan is required and only regulations of the Zoning By-law would apply. Also, if a renewable energy system is being installed for the benefit of one house or one property and is greater than 10KW then this would require an Official Plan Amendment. The current Zoning provisions will be updated to implement this proposed policy change. A copy of the draft policy can be found on the Township’s website by searching the File name and number.
If you have any questions about this application, please contact the following planner:
Name: Brian Treble, Director of Planning and Building Call: 905-957-5138
PLEASE READ:
How to have your comments heard: Due to COVID-19, the Township will be hosting public meetings via ZOOM, an online video-conferencing system.
We will also be hosting a virtual open house via ZOOM on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. To register for the Virtual Open Houses, please contact the Township Planning Department.
Please submit your written comments by 4 PM Tuesday January 5th, 2021 to have them included in Staff’s report for the application in advance of the January 11th, 2021 Public Meeting.
Please submit your comments to jscime@westlincoln.ca with the file number for the application.
If you submit comments after this date, they will not be included in Staff’s report. Please ensure all comments have been submitted prior to Friday, January 8th, 2021 at 4pm. The comments will instead then be read into the public record during the meeting.
While residents are encouraged to make written submissions to the committee, members of the public will also be able to provide verbal comments at Committee and Council through Zoom.
Please contact the Township Clerk by email at jscime@westlincoln.ca or by phone at 905-957-3346, ext 5136 to register to speak at the meeting and you will be provided a link.
Please state the date of the meeting and the file number you wish to address. If you are not able to access ZOOM through a computer, there is an option to call into the meeting through phone numbers and a code provided.
If you wish to participate and cannot access the meeting through Zoom through a computer or by calling in, please notify the Clerk and all efforts will be made to accommodate your needs. To register for the Virtual Open House, please contact the Township Planning Department.
Important information about making a submission
~If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township of West Lincoln Planning/Building/Environmental Committee before a by-law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the Township of West Lincoln to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.
~If a person or public body does not make oral submission at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the Township of West Lincoln Planning/Building/Environmental Committee before a by-law is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so.
~Individuals who make written submissions with respect to a Planning Act application should be aware that their submission and any personal information in their correspondence will become part of the public record and made available to the Applicant, Committee and Council.
For more information The documents and background material for this application can be made available by contacting West Lincoln’s Planning Department at: Phone: 905-957-3346 E-mail: planning@westlincoln.ca Website: www.westlincoln.ca
Copies of the Staff Report will be available Friday January 8th, 2021 after 4 PM on the Township’s website.
If you would like to be notified of Township Council’s decision with respect to any planning application, you must make a written request (specifying which file number) to: Joanne Scime, Clerk Phone: 905-957-3346 E-mail: jscime@westlincoln.ca Dated: December 10th, 2020
Planning and Development Department 318 Canborough St. P.O. Box 400 Smithville, ON, L0R 2A0 T: 905-957-3346 • F: 905-957-3219 www.westlincoln.ca
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court decision saying the Ford government was within its rights to cancel numerous renewable power projects that had not yet met a critical milestone in the approvals process.
“As is often the custom in Ontario on hot humid summer days, most of the IWT (industrial wind turbines) took the day off so the 4,800 MW of capacity they have was virtually silent. Had they operated at 100% of capacity they would have delivered 115,000 MWh but instead they only managed to puff out 7,440 MWh and had 400 MWh curtailed (at 11 PM) meaning they operated at a level of capacity of 6.8% including the curtailed MWh. As the morning broke at hour 9 AM they generated 8 MWh or 0.017% of capacity. Fortunately, we didn’t need their power as nuclear, hydro and gas easily supplied our needs throughout the day even though total market demand reached 22,641 MWh and Ontario demand peaked at 19,342 MWh or 402,000 MWh for the full day. Our net exports were north of 45,000 MWh which earned us ratepayers only about $750,000 while costing us close to $7 million.”
Will wind turbine debate blow ill will on TVO’s “Political Blind Date”?
Published on: February 19, 2020|By: Frances Learment
A Port Elgin couple who allege the Unifor wind turbine in Port Elgin triggered debilitating health issues that forced them to move will be part of the debate Feb. 25 on TVO’s “Political Blind Date” featuring PC MPP Bill Walker (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) and Associate Minister for Energy, and Peter Tabuns, NDP MPP (Toronto-Danforth) who will debate hydro pricing and energy policies. SHORELINE BEACON FILE PHOTO
A Port Elgin couple who allege the Unifor wind turbine in Port Elgin caused a long list of debilitating health issues will be part of the conversation Feb. 25 on TVO’s “Political Blind Date.”
The edition features Bill Walker, PC MPP (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) – who has called for a moratorium on new wind power development – and Associate Minister for Energy, and Peter Tabuns, NDP MPP (Toronto-Danforth) and the debate will include hydro rates, energy policies, and community windmills…..
Mothers Against Wind Turbines Inc. 