Amendment to Renewable Energy Approval (REA) No. 0871-AV3TFM for the Nation Rise Wind Farm

On September 16, 2022, we amended Renewable Energy Approval (REA) No. 0871-AV3TFM. This amendment is a technical change to allow Nation Rise Wind Farm GP Inc. as general partner for and on behalf of Nation Rise Wind Farm Limited Partnership (“Nation Rise”) to keep a laydown area in place. A laydown area is an area of land that is used to store pieces of equipment that will be used as part of the facility.

The Class 4 wind facility, known as the Nation Rise Wind Farm, is located on privately owned lands and public right-of-ways within the Township of North Stormont, United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Specifically, the laydown area is located:

• along Forgues Road
• north of Concession Road 7 (Ashburn Road) and wind turbine 16

The owner of the land the laydown area is located on has requested that Nation Rise keep it in place instead of restoring it to its original condition. The landowner plans to use the area as a natural extension of his existing agricultural and grain transportation operation and farm use. In particular, the area will be used to stage:

• agricultural seed bags
• farming equipment during planting and harvest season

The location and size of the laydown area will not change from what was presented in the original REA application.

Nation Rise consulted with the Township of North Stormont and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry on the proposed change to keep the laydown area in place. The Township of North Stormont confirmed that the proposed use of lands by the landowner would be permitted under the Township of North Stormont Zoning By-law 08-2014 as both:

• an “Agricultural use”
• an “Agriculture-related use”

We consider this to be a technical change as it will not result in increased negative environmental effects that will, or are likely to occur, beyond those that were identified, documented and consulted on during the REA process for the original project. This laydown area was already considered under all previous REA studies – no new land is being added.

If Nation Rise uses the laydown area for activities that are not authorized under their existing REA and subsequent amendments, we have compliance tools that can be used to address the non-compliance.

Further, if Nation Rise wishes to use the laydown area for anything related to a renewable energy facility, it would be required to submit an application to us if it requires an approval, and ensure it has appropriate municipal approvals in place.

No new environmental effects are expected beyond those that were previously identified, documented and consulted on through the REA process.

Third party hearing provisions

Any resident of Ontario may require a hearing by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) within 15 days after the date this decision is loaded to the Environmental Registry by written notice served upon all of the following:

Appellate body

In response to COVID-19, all in-person service counters are closed until further notice. Where possible, please use email to contact the OLT:

Document Submission: OLT.Registrar@ontario.ca

General Inquiries: OLT.General.Inquiry@ontario.ca

Telephone Contact Hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Tel: (416) 212-6349 or toll free (866) 448-2248
TTY: (800) 855-1155 via Bell relay

If submitting in hard copy, applications should be addressed to:

Ontario Land Tribunal
655 Bay Street, Suite 1500
Toronto, ON M5G 1E5

Issuing authority

Miroslav Ubovic, P. Eng.
Director, Section 47.5, Environmental Protection Act
Environmental Permissions Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 1
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (437) 216-7610
Toll Free Phone: (800) 461-6290
Email: enviropermissions@ontario.ca

Proponent

Nation Rise Wind Farm GP Inc. as general partner for and on behalf of Nation Rise Wind Farm Limited Partnership
c/o Kenneth Little, Director of Project Management
EDP Renewables
219 Dufferin Street, Suite 217c
Toronto, Ontario
M6K 3J1
Email: Ken.Little@edp.com

An applicant for a hearing shall state in the notice requiring the hearing:

1. A description of how engaging in the renewable energy project in accordance with the renewable energy approval will cause either:
   • serious harm to human health
   • serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal life or the natural environment
2. The portion of the renewable energy approval in respect of which the hearing is required
3. The relief sought.

Further information is provided on the OLT’s website at: https://olt.gov.on.ca/about-olt/