Information for Proponents

The New Renewable Energy Approval

The Renewable Energy Approval is a significant step forward for Ontario. It creates an improved and coordinated approach that provides certainty with respect to provincial standards and ensures transparency and public review.

• Factsheet: Wind Facilities
  • Noise Setbacks for Wind Farms
• Factsheet: Solar Facilities
• Factsheet: Bio-Energy Facilities
• Factsheet: Waterpower Facilities
• Frequently Asked Questions

Renewable Energy Approval Guide

Coming soon - a comprehensive guide to navigating the provincial approval process for renewable energy projects.

O. Reg. 359/09 – New renewable energy approvals regulation

O. Reg. 359/09 (go to e-laws and search for the regulation number) is a new regulation under the Environmental Protection Act to establish the requirements for obtaining a Renewable Energy Approval (REA). The regulation outlines what an applicant is required to do before applying for a REA, what is required in the REA application (general requirements and technology-specific requirements by project type), transition rules and prescribed timeframes for tribunal hearings.

Regulation Decision Notice

The Decision Notice for the Renewable Energy Approval can now be found on the Environmental Registry. Additionally, as there has been considerable interest in this initiative, the Ministry has currently made available for public access the complete public record of the EBR comments received through the Ministry's regional, district and area offices.

Regulatory Amendments

Amendments to exclude certain types of renewable energy projects from the application of the Environmental Assessment Act have been made to the following three existing regulations:

• O. Reg 360/09 which amends O. Reg. 116/01 (Electricity Projects)
• O. Reg 361/09 which amends O. Reg. 101/07 (Waste Management Projects)
• O. Reg 364/09 which amends Reg. 334 (General)

You can go to e-laws and search any of these regulation numbers to find the regulations.

Amendments have been made to two existing regulations under the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 (EBR). These amendments classify REAs as instruments for the purposes of the EBR; specify that the EBR leave-to-appeal process does not apply to a proposal to issue, revoke or amend a REA; and updates names of ministries and prescribed legislation subject to EBR requirements.

• O. Reg 362/09 which amends O. Reg. 681/94 (Classification of Proposals for Instruments)
• O. Reg 363/09 which amends O. Reg. 73/94 (General)

You can go to e-laws and search any of these regulation numbers to find the regulations.