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: Encouraging renewable energy projects Encouraging renewable energy projects Building a strong green economy– 50,000 jobs Building a strong green economy– 50,000 jobs Promoting energy conservation Promoting energy conservation Improving our environment, by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases (GHG’s) from fossil fuel energy production. 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 participationStreamlines Process– removing municipal planning approvals- public participation Provides incentives through a Feed-in- Tariff program to encourage investment in renewable energy projectsProvides incentives through a Feed-in- Tariff program to encourage investment in renewable energy projects Fosters Conservation and a Green EconomyFosters 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)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.Provincially led process for approvals Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources review applications, issue decisions.

Streamlining cont’d Right to Connect Right to Connect Six month service guarantee (Hydro One, Local Distribution Companies) to facilitate timely connection of new renewable generation to the grid. 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. Province-wide standards for the location of renewable energy projects.

Municipal Role in Process Consultation with proponentConsultation with proponent Enforcing Ontario’s Building CodeEnforcing Ontario’s Building Code Providing information to residents, business.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)20 year guaranteed price contract with Ontario Power Authority (OPA) Priority access to the grid through local distribution corporations (i.e. Powerstream, Innisfil Hydro)Priority access to the grid through local distribution corporations (i.e. Powerstream, Innisfil Hydro)

Types of Renewable Energy Eligible Water Water Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Wind Wind Biogas (anaerobic digestion) Biogas (anaerobic digestion) Biomass (agricultural and forest sources) Biomass (agricultural and forest sources) Landfill gas 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) Eligible projects are a renewable energy facilities (solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, waterpower and bio-energy (biogas, biomass, landfill gas) Under 10 kW or less in size and located in Ontario Under 10 kW or less in size and located in Ontario Connected, directly or indirectly, to the Connected, directly or indirectly, to the distribution system distribution system

Supporting MicroFIT in your community Hold Green Energy information sessions – develop manuals Hold Green Energy information sessions – develop manuals Consider installing projects on municipal buildings Consider installing projects on municipal buildings

Community Power Opportunities Supports Community Power - enabling community ownership of renewable energy projects by citizens and co-ops.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.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)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.Control and manage the distribution system- exchange of information to provide time of use management and maintain needed supply.

Promoting Conservation Mandatory home energy audits at the time of sale unless the purchaser waives his or her right to the audit Mandatory home energy audits at the time of sale unless the purchaser waives his or her right to the audit Conservation Demand Management (CDM) Plans may be required by public sector and industrial facilities 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 Innovation=Research and Development Innovation=Research and Development Renewable energy consultants Renewable energy consultants Manufacturing - domestic content rules Manufacturing - domestic content rules Community Energy projects create local employment Community Energy projects create local employment

Opportunities for Municipalities Revenue opportunity Revenue opportunity Domestic content rules encourage investment in Ontario – manufacturing and R & D Domestic content rules encourage investment in Ontario – manufacturing and R & D Job creation– Ontario leading with way (50,000 jobs) Job creation– Ontario leading with way (50,000 jobs) Reduce Energy consumption- Municipal sector - 2 nd highest user in Ontario Reduce Energy consumption- Municipal sector - 2 nd highest user in Ontario

Possible Future Requirements Public reporting on energy use and GHG emissions for all major government facilitiesPublic 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).Construction of energy efficient government and public sector facilities through standards (e.g., LEED, Ashray). Procurement policiesProcurement policies

Possible future benefits …. Resources for Municipalities –establishing a provincial program to ensure municipalities can recover certain costs associated with renewable energy projects.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: Encourages investment in renewable energy Encourages investment in renewable energy Ensures Ontario is a leader in Green Energy Ensures Ontario is a leader in Green Energy Increases job opportunities in renewable energy sector and investment in R & D. Increases job opportunities in renewable energy sector and investment in R & D. Provides clean renewable energy, reduces greenhouse gases and air pollution Provides clean renewable energy, reduces greenhouse gases and air pollution Intent of Green Energy and Economy Act: Encourages investment in renewable energy Encourages investment in renewable energy Ensures Ontario is a leader in Green Energy Ensures Ontario is a leader in Green Energy Increases job opportunities in renewable energy sector and investment in R & D. Increases job opportunities in renewable energy sector and investment in R & D. Provides clean renewable energy, reduces greenhouse gases and air pollution Provides clean renewable energy, reduces greenhouse gases and air pollution

Thank You