This consultation was open from:
July 3, 2003
to August 2, 2003
Decision summary
This notice is to advise that the posting is closed.
Decision details
In 2019, Ontario made changes to the Environmental Protection Act to discontinue issuing renewable energy approvals, and where demand for electricity is not demonstrated. Changes reflect the strong supply of electricity resources in the province.
Additionally, Ontario made changes to the Renewable Energy Approval Regulation (Ontario Regulation 359/09) to impose additional requirements on wind facilities that includes demonstrating demand for the electricity an applicant proposes to generate.
Repeal of the Green Energy Act and amendments to Ontario Regulation 359/09 fulfill a commitment made by the Ontario government to wind down renewable energy projects that are costing the province and adding to electricity bills.
Effects of consultation
This posting is no longer pertinent or active. As such, the effects of this consultation are not applicable.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
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Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Connect with us
Contact
May Lyn Trudelle
135 St. Clair Ave W
4th Floor
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1P5
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
This notice was originally posted in the old Environmental Registry under number RA03E0020.
Description of regulation
The government has proposed increasing the threshold for exemption from the EAA for clean electricity projects in order to encourage new supply in the province.
Environmental assessment requirements for electricity projects are defined in the Electricity Projects Regulation, O. Reg. 116/01. This regulation, made in April 2001 under the EAA, was put in place to protect the environment in a competitive electricity market place. The environmental assessment requirements for electricity projects are based on the expected environmental effects of a project and apply equally to public and private sector proponents.
Three categories of project are recognized in the Electricity Projects Regulation: Category A projects are environmentally benign and are not subject to the EAA, Category B projects have environmental impacts that can be mitigated and are exempt from the EAA provided they successfully complete an environmental screening process described in the Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects, and Category C projects have known significant environmental impacts and must complete an individual EA.
Currently, there are no environmental assessment requirements for wind projects less than 2 MW*, natural gas facilities less than 5 MW and natural gas cogeneration and landfill gas/ biogas facilities less than 25 MW (i.e. they are in Category A). Wind projects greater than or equal to 2 MW, natural gas facilities greater than or equal to 5 MW and natural gas cogeneration and landfill gas/ biogas facilities greater than or equal to 25 MW are in Category B and must complete the environmental screening process. All hydroelectric facilities less than 200 MW are in Category B and must complete the environmental screening process.
The government's proposal is to seek comments on increasing the threshold so that all clean electricity projects under 100 MW would be exempt from the EAA. Fuel types which are considered clean for the purpose of this proposal include landfill gas/biogas, natural gas facilities, natural gas co-generation, wind turbines, and hydroelectric facilities. This would mean that wind projects, hydroelectric facilities, natural gas facilities, natural gas cogeneration and landfill gas/ biogas facilities less than 100 MW would be in Category A, i.e. not subject to the EAA.
The MOE is also seeking input on the treatment of new and emerging technologies, for example synthetic gas, with respect to the Electricity Projects Regulation.
A discussion paper on the proposed changes to the environmental assessment requirements for electricity projects is provided in the link below for your comments.
*1 MW of generation can produce enough electrical energy to supply the power needs of about 300-700 homes for a year.
Purpose of regulation
To seek input on proposed changes to thresholds for exemption from the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) for clean electricity projects.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from July 3, 2003
to August 2, 2003
Connect with us
Contact
Marie LeGrow
2 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 12A
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1L5
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
0By email
0By mail
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