Ontario's Renewable Energy Approvals Regulation provides the basis for a positive relationship between renewable energy proponents and local communities. Rules in the regulation require developers to have a plan to respond to the public, a safety and emergency management plan, and engineering assessments and environmental reports to ensure there is no harm to human health, the environment, archaeology or natural heritage. The ministry's minimum requirements also include holding at least two public meetings (except very small wind projects and on farm bio-energy facilities) and sharing any reports and project plans with the municipality in the early stages of project planning.
If mandatory public, municipal and Aboriginal consultation requirements are not met, a Renewable Energy Approval will not be issued, and the project will not proceed.
If there are public complaints about an existing project in operation, the ministry will work with the developer to help them become a good neighbour. If renewable energy developers or projects aren't meeting Ontario's requirements, the ministry has a suite of actions to enforce them, such as:
- issuing a fine
- charging a company
- issuing a ministry order to shut down a facility if they are not in compliance (e.g. meeting our strict noise limit for wind turbines).
If you feel an existing project in your community is not being a good neighbour, you can engage the developer (see "working with developers") or call the ministry 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-MOE-TIPS (1-866-663-8477).