20 Industry news Provincial energy development policy SAFEGUARDS FOR PRIME FARMLAND Matt McIntosh IN AUGUST 2024, THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO ANNOUNCED a wide-reaching plan to significantly expand Ontario’s energy production capacity. From refurbishing the province’s existing nuclear facilities to expanding solar and wind power capability, the intention is to ensure Ontario’s energy grid is capable of supplying increased demand from industry (including agriculture) and the increased electrification of homes and vehicles. What impact this will have on farmers – and what opportunities they could face – is not yet clear. However, representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and National Farmers Union say the move is an improvement on previous provincial efforts to diversify energy production. MORE COMMUNITY BUY-IN In contrast to past energy schemes pursued by the McGuinty and Wynne governments, the Ford government has announced that municipalities can choose whether they want energy developments and, if they do, where those developments can go within their municipal jurisdiction. Drew Spoelstra, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, considers this a positive move. “Historically, some of this has been controversial. The way energy development was done created divisions in communities,” says Spoelstra. “There was a green agenda to move forward with green projects almost at any cost. I think this government is taking a different approach. A more balanced approach on how to generate, store, and transmit power across the province.” RIGHT METHOD, RIGHT PLACE Spoelstra says the potential for more onfarm energy production – whether via solar, wind, biogas, or other means – may also be possible under the province’s new policies. On-farm green energy production is something the Federation has previously advocated for. As its article “Energy Opportunities on Ontario Farms” states, “Ontario farms use about three per cent of Ontario’s electricity or approximately 4.5 terawatt hours each year. While farmers do buy power, they can also produce and sell electricity … Virtually every farmer could take advantage of one or more [energy production methods] in the future.” The same article reiterates that energy from farms can help power both farms and Ontario more broadly while improving our environment. It also cautions against the use of broad-acre farmland for energy production in an effort to reduce farmland loss, as well as advocating for clear longterm contracts between farmers and energy companies and fair compensation. “If the right case presents itself and everyone is on board, there’s lots of opportunities for farmers to participate in this space. We just need to ensure it happens in the right place and the right ways,” says Spoelstra. DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS The loss of farmland to energy projects is still a concern, however. The province appeared to allay these concerns in June when Todd Smith, past agriculture minister, and Lisa Thompson, then the current agriculture minister, sent a letter to energy companies stating “no new energy projects may be built in specialty crop areas; groundmounted solar generation cannot be sited on Prime Agricultural Areas; all other resource types may only locate on Prime Agricultural Areas if they have received both Municipal Council approval and municipal approval of an Agricultural Impact Assessment; and rated criteria points will be awarded for projects that avoid Prime Agricultural Areas.” The province reaffirmed this position in August. Considering Ontario continues to see a high rate of farmland loss, Spoelstra says this assurance is also welcome. The
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