Changes to the provincial government’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program have taken the heat off Minto council over a controversial solar farm proposal here.
Council was in hot water over its endorsement of a 10-megawatt solar project proposed by developers First Ontario Energy and Bondfield LLP for a 100-acre farm property in the Drew area.
In March, council passed a resolution of support for the project to assist the developers with their application to the Ontario Power Authority’s FIT program.
However, after hearing objections from a number of neighbouring residents, including about 100 who signed a petition opposing the project, council passed a motion to reconsider their support at the May 21 meeting. A re-vote on the original motion was then deferred pending a staff report on concerns expressed by residents and the Wellington Federation of Agriculture.
CAO Bill White presented the staff report at the June 5 meeting, but noted the developers have pointed out that municipal support for the application is now “irrelevant” due to recent changes to the FIT program.
“I guess it took council a little bit out of the frying pan,” said White. However, he noted municipal councils will be “placed back in the fire,” once the province announces the process for projects in the future.
In his report, White noted that under the new rules, energy planners and developers will be expected to “work directly with municipalities to identify appropriate locations and site requirements for future large energy projects.”
He also pointed out, “While this confirms the municipal support resolution for Bondfield is redundant, municipalities can expect to be front and centre in future decisions on locations and site suitability for solar farms and wind turbines.”
White advised council that staff will report back to them on the new process and “work to develop pro-active policies to deal with future applications.”
Councillor Ron Faulkner said council should be prepared for future project proposals.
“I would like to see us study and perhaps develop a strategic plan with respect to alternative energy,” said Faulkner.
Mayor George Bridge said, “I think, in honesty, this is the way the government’s going to back nicely out of this business. It’s put it back in the people’s hands … we can find out if the people want, or don’t want to have something.”
