Transcript Slide 1

Presentation on the
Green Energy Act
for
South Simcoe Municipalities
Susan Lloyd Swail
M.E.S. Planning Candidate
Intern at Nottawasaga Futures
Green Economy Transition Centre
Ontario’s Green Energy
Act
The Green Energy Act contributes to Ontario’s
Green Economic Future by:
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Encouraging renewable energy projects
•
Building a strong green economy– 50,000
jobs
•
Promoting energy conservation
•
Improving our environment, by reducing air
pollution and greenhouse gases (GHG’s)
from fossil fuel energy production.
Key Aspects
The Act:
•
Streamlines Process– removing
municipal planning approvals- public
participation
•
Provides incentives through a Feed-inTariff program to encourage investment
in renewable energy projects
•
Fosters Conservation and a Green
Economy
Streamlining the Process
• Planning Act requirements eliminated for
renewable energy projects and associated
connections. (building permits still required,
no public meetings)
• Provincially led process for approvals
Ministries of Environment and Natural
Resources review applications, issue
decisions.
Streamlining cont’d
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Right to Connect
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Six month service guarantee (Hydro
One, Local Distribution Companies) to
facilitate timely connection of new
renewable generation to the grid.
•
Province-wide standards for the
location of renewable energy projects.
Municipal Role in Process
• Consultation with proponent
• Enforcing Ontario’s Building Code
• Providing information to residents,
business.
Feed-in Tariff
Incentive based program to encourage
investment in Renewable Energy
• 20 year guaranteed price contract with
Ontario Power Authority (OPA)
• Priority access to the grid through local
distribution corporations (i.e.
Powerstream, Innisfil Hydro)
Types of Renewable Energy
Eligible
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Water
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Wind
Biogas (anaerobic digestion)
Biomass (agricultural and forest
sources)
Landfill gas
MicroFIT Program
Incentives for small energy generation projects
•
Eligible projects are a renewable energy
facilities (solar photovoltaic (PV), wind,
waterpower and bio-energy (biogas, biomass,
landfill gas)
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Under 10 kW or less in size and located in
Ontario
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Connected, directly or indirectly, to the
distribution system
Supporting MicroFIT in
your community
•
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Hold Green Energy information
sessions – develop manuals
Consider installing projects on
municipal buildings
Community Power
Opportunities
• Supports Community Power - enabling
community ownership of renewable
energy projects by citizens and co-ops.
• Local Distribution Companies and
municipal corporations are able to invest
in (under 10MW) renewable energy
projects without separate corporation.
Investing in the Future
Smart Grid
• Smart Grid will facilitate leading edge
renewable energy projects (e.g., electric
cars)
• Control and manage the distribution
system- exchange of information to
provide time of use management and
maintain needed supply.
Promoting Conservation
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Mandatory home energy audits at the
time of sale unless the purchaser
waives his or her right to the audit
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Conservation Demand Management
(CDM) Plans may be required by
public sector and industrial facilities
Job Creation
Jobs are related to the level of investment in
Green Energy projects
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Innovation=Research and Development
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Renewable energy consultants
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Manufacturing - domestic content rules
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Community Energy projects create local
employment
Opportunities for
Municipalities
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Revenue opportunity
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Domestic content rules encourage investment
in Ontario – manufacturing and R & D
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Job creation– Ontario leading with way
(50,000 jobs)
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Reduce Energy consumption- Municipal
sector - 2nd highest user in Ontario
Possible Future
Requirements
• Public reporting on energy use and GHG
emissions for all major government facilities
• Construction of energy efficient government
and public sector facilities through
standards (e.g., LEED, Ashray).
• Procurement policies
Possible future benefits ….
• Resources for Municipalities –establishing
a provincial program to ensure
municipalities can recover certain costs
associated with renewable energy
projects.
Summary
Intent of Green Energy and Economy Act:
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Encourages investment in renewable energy
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Ensures Ontario is a leader in Green Energy
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Increases job opportunities in renewable energy
sector and investment in R & D.
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Provides clean renewable energy, reduces
greenhouse gases and air pollution
Thank You