Ontario/EZ Policies
< Ontario
EZ Policies for Ontario
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| Policy | Place | Policy Type | Active | Implementing Sector | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Pollution - Local Air Quality (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations | Yes | State/Province | The Air Pollution regulation administered by the Ministry of the Environment enforces compliance to the standards set in the Ontario law. The law is phased in, with portions taking effect in 2010, 2013, and 2020 that apply to different types of facilities. By 2020, all facilities are required to comply with the law.
The first phase of the law, which started in 2010, requires all fossil fuel power generating facilities - excluding those less than 25 MW in capacity - to comply with the regulations. Coal-fired plants are included in that definition. Other coal product manufacturing facilities are required to comply by the 2013 phase. Also included in the 2013 phase are waste treatment and disposal facilities, which includes biomass and biogas facilities. The law sets the standards for dispersion models to assess compliance, as well as contaminant limits. Most of the standards developed under the law are based on the ministry's Ambient Air Quality Criteria (AAQCs). AAQCs are effect-based concentration levels with variable averaging times (e.g., 24 hours, 1 hour, 10 minutes). The effects considered include health, odor, vegetation, soiling, visibility and corrosion. |
| Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Grant Program | No | State/Province | In 2008, with the advent of OMAF and MRA's Bioeconomy-Industrial Uses research theme, the Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Development Fund (ARF) was consolidated with the New Directions Research Program. Therefore, Calls for Letters of Intent issued during the fiscal years of 2008-09 and 2009-10 through New Directions included ARF priorities.
Exploration of new markets and new uses for bioproducts, alternative renewable fuels and their co-products will contribute to the long term sustainability of Ontario's agri-food, energy and rural sectors. Investment in research will help position Ontario to take advantage of new technologies in these areas. The Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund is a discretionary, competitive research fund open to universities, research institutions, industry, governments, organizations or partnership networks. Applicants outside Ontario may also apply if they can demonstrate how the proposed research will provide significant benefits or a unique competitive advantage for Ontario's agri-food industry, energy sector and/or rural communities. The objectives of the Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund are to fund research that will: Enable continuous improvement in the alternative renewable fuels industry products and processes; Promote agricultural value-added opportunities in the bioproducts and alternative renewable fuels industries in Ontario; and Assist alternative renewable fuels and biobased production facilities in Ontario to be major participants in these new worldwide markets. The application procedure involves a two stage process: Stage One involves the submission of a letter of intent; Stage Two involves the submission of a full proposal by invitation only to successful Stage One applicants. The Call for Letters of Intent documents and submission information can be found on the Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund website. Funding for this program is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and GreenField Ethanol (formerly Commercial Alcohols Inc.).
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| Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations Equipment Certification Fees Generating Facility Rate-Making Generation Disclosure Industry Recruitment/Support Safety and Operational Guidelines Siting and Permitting | Yes | Federal | The purpose of this Act is to promote safety, the protection of the environment, the conservation of oil and gas resources, joint production arrangements, and economically efficient infrastructures.
The act sets up a regulatory structure for licensing, permitting, equipment certification, safety and operational regulations and standards, land owner rights and the rights of access for exploratory and extraction operations, as well as prohibited areas. The act also addresses the fee structures, the development plan approval process, employee benefits and training standards, financial obligations, pipeline and transmission tariffs, purchasing agreements and sales, and legal recourse. |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Loan Program | Yes | Federal | Since 1961, the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) seeks to increase the availability of loans for establishing, expanding, modernizing and improving small businesses. It does this by encouraging financial institutions to make their financing available to small businesses. By sharing the risk with a financial institution, the program may help businesses secure up to $500,000.
Small businesses or start-ups operating for profit in Canada, with gross annual revenues of $5 million or less. Not eligible under this program are farming businesses (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has a similar program for the farming industry — for information, visit www.agr.gc.ca), not-for-profit organizations, or charitable and religious organizations. Up to a maximum of $500,000 for any one borrower is available, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment. Financial institutions deliver the program. The decision to grant a loan rests entirely with the financial institution. Loans can be used for financing up to 90% of the cost of: - purchasing or improving land, real property or immovables - purchasing new or existing leasehold improvements - purchasing or improving new or used equipment The interest rate is determined by individual financial institutions. The interest rate may be variable or fixed: Variable rate: The maximum chargeable is the lender's prime lending rate plus 3%. Fixed rate: The maximum chargeable is the lender's single family residential mortgage rate plus 3%. A registration fee of 2% of the total amount loaned under the program must also be paid by the borrower to the lender. It can be financed as part of the loan. The registration fee and a portion of the interest are submitted to Industry Canada by the lender to help offset the costs of the program for the government. Lenders are required to take security in the assets financed. Lenders also have the option to take an additional unsecured personal guarantee, which cannot exceed 25% of the total amount loaned. |
| Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations | Yes | Federal | The Canadian Environmental Protection Act of 1999 (CEPA 1999) provides the legislative framework for Environment Canada, and outlines the provisions for the prevention and management of risks posed by toxic and other harmful substances.
The CEPA 1999 implements pollution prevention, procedures for the investigation and assessment of substances, and requirements with respect to substances that the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health have determined to be toxic or capable of becoming toxic, and provisions regarding animate products of biotechnology. The enactment also contains provisions respecting fuels, international air and water pollution, motor emissions, nutrients whose release into water can cause excessive growth of aquatic vegetation and environmental emergencies, provisions to regulate the environmental effects of government operations and to protect the environment on and in relation to federal land and aboriginal land, disposal of wastes and other matter at sea, and the export and import of wastes. The enactment provides for the gathering of information for research and the creation of inventories of data, which are designed for publication, and for the development and publishing of objectives, guidelines and codes of practice. |
| Clean Electric Power Generation (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Grant Program Industry Recruitment/Support | No | Federal | The Clean Electrical Power Generation (CEPG) SSA consists of research and development (R&D) and late-stage development and demonstration of technologies for promoting clean, reliable and efficient power generation, both centrally and distributed, including the production of energy from renewable sources and the integration of these resources into the grid. It addresses the reduction of GHG emissions and toxic pollutants from the production of energy from fossil fuels, including through the development of clean coal and carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies, and it provides support for Canada’s participation in the treaty of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) to develop advanced nuclear based energy systems. The CEPG distributed more than $117 million (Canadian) of NRCan funding for the period from 2003-04 to 2008-09. The total estimated CEPG funding from all sources for this period was $250.5 million. |
| Climate Action Plan (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Climate Policies | Yes | State/Province | Climate Ready, Ontario's Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, outlines the problems, goals, and key strategies for the province's approach to climate change and the problems it poses. The Plan includes five goals:
1. Avoid loss and unsustainable investment, and take advantage of economic opportunities. 2. Take reasonable and practical measures to increase climate resilience of ecosystems. 3. Create and share risk-management tools to support adaptation efforts across the province. 4. Achieve a better understanding of future climate change impacts across the province. 5. Seek opportunities to collaborate with others. One main area of focus for the first goal is energy infrastructure. The infrastructure policy includes the development of clean energy sources that diversify the province's energy supply. |
| Combined Heat and Power Standard Offer Program (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Performance-Based Incentive | No | Utility | The Combined Heat and Power Standard Offer was developed by the Ontario Power Authority to
support the efficient use of gas-fired electricity generating facilities that utilize combined heat and power (CHP) technology. The fundamental objective of the CHPSOP Program is to facilitate the increased development of CHP Facilities that are up to a maximum capacity of 20 MW in size, connected to a Distribution System and in an area of the Province where such generation can effectively be accommodated. Some typical examples of facilities suitable for the application of such CHP technologies include: greenhouses, institutional buildings (such as municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals) with high thermal energy demands, multi-unit residential buildings, industrial facilities and other district energy projects. The program, in combination with the complimentary Energy Recovery Standard Offer Program that applies to biogas and biomass facilities, are initially limited to a total combined program capacity of 200 MW. The program is currently on hold while the Authority determines the remaining capacity for the project. |
| Community Energy Partnerships Program (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Grant Program | Yes | Utility | The Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) provides financial grants to community groups who are developing renewable energy projects in Ontario. These grants provide funding to community groups to assist with the "soft" or developmental costs associated with new renewable energy projects. Projects must be greater than 10 kW. Funding opportunities for renewable energy education projects are also available to assist not-for-profit, charitable and co-operative organizations in Ontario.
Community groups may be eligible to receive up to $500,000 for costs associated with project development. Eligible costs include site investigation and control, resource assessment, business and financial planning, engineering studies, project management and studies associated with the Renewable Energy Approval or other required approvals. Funding under the CEPP and entry into a funding agreement is available to a community in the province of Ontario that is a “co-operative corporation”, as defined in the Co-operative Corporations Act (Ontario), all of whose members are resident in Ontario. |
| Energy Monitoring Act (Canada) | Alberta: Energy Resources British Columbia: Energy Resources Canada: Energy Resources Manitoba: Energy Resources New Brunswick: Energy Resources Newfoundland and Labrador: Energy Resources Nova Scotia: Energy Resources Ontario: Energy Resources Prince Edward Island: Energy Resources Quebec: Energy Resources Saskatchewan: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations Generation Disclosure | Yes | State/Province | This act requires that every energy enterprise file with the Minister a return setting out statistics and information relating to its ownership and control; financial information; information, including financial, about its exploration for, development, production, processing, refining and marketing of energy commodities; its energy commodity resources, reserves and properties; and its research and development programs. This law does not apply to corporations incorporated outside Canada. For oil and gas, dealer is required to file a return must also submit additional statistics, information and documentation that may be required by the Minister for any purpose. |
| Energy Recovery Standard Offer Program (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Performance-Based Incentive | No | Utility | The Ontario Power Authority developed the Energy Recovery Standard Offer Program (ERSOP) to support efficient generation of electricity from recovery of otherwise wasted energy sources, such as un-utilized by-products that can be used as fuels. The goal of the ERSOP Program is to facilitate increased development of Energy Recovery Facilities up to a maximum capacity of 20 MW, connected to a Distribution System, and in an area where such generation can be effectively accommodated. Projects suitable for the ERSOP Program include energy recovery from pressure reduction facilities, energy recovery from hot exhaust streams (other than from electricity generating facilities), and energy recovery from otherwise flared process by-products.
The program allocated 50 MW of capacity for the launch of the program in 2011. The program is on hold as of September 2011 as the OPA as determines the potential remaining capacity for the program for the launch period of the program. The program, in combination with the complimentary Combined Heat and Power Standard Offer Program that applies to natural gas electrical generating facilities that are combined with heat generation, are initially limited to a total combined program capacity of 200 MW. Individual projects are capped at 20 MW. The Contract Price for the program is $90.00/MWh. Each year following commercial operation of a facility, 30% of the Contract Price shall be escalated on the basis of increases in the consumer price index. |
| Environmental Approvals (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations | Yes | State/Province | If a business’s activities impact the natural environment, that business needs an approval from the Ministry of the Environment to operate legally in Ontario. From small commercial establishments, to large manufacturing facilities, businesses in Ontario must have MOE-issued environmental approvals if they:
- release contaminants (pollutants) into the air, onto land, or into water - store, transport, or dispose of waste Alternatively, some activities may be registered under the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry. The registry is available for routine systems and processes, to which preset rules of operation can be applied. Small mounted solar facilities are included in the types of projects/activities that can be included in the registry. Waterpower projects 200 MW and larger are subject to an Individual Environmental Assessment. |
| Environmental Protection Act (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations | Yes | State/Province | The Environmental Protection Act is Ontario's key legislation for environmental protection. The act grants the Ministry of the Environment broad powers to deal with the discharge of contaminants which cause negative effects. The act specifically:
- prohibits the discharge of any contaminants into the environment which cause or are likely to cause negative effects - and in the case of some approved contaminants requires that they must not exceed approved and regulated limits - requires that any spills of pollutants be reported and cleaned up in a timely fashion. The act also deals with commercial transactions involving contaminated land. Ontario's Environmental Protection Act has the authority to establish liability on the party which is at fault, including liability for corporate officers or directors who have failed to take all reasonable care to prevent unlawful discharges of contaminants into the environment. |
| Farm Credit Canada Energy Loan (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Loan Program | Yes | Non-Profit | Farm Credit Canada is a private institution, and offers financing for environmental solutions that can help farmers make environmental upgrades to operations and switch to renewable energy resources. |
| Feed-in Tariff Program (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Performance-Based Incentive | Yes | State/Province | The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) developed the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program for the Province of Ontario to encourage and promote greater use of renewable energy sources including on-shore wind, waterpower, renewable biomass, biogas, landfill gas and solar photovoltaic (PV) for electricity generating projects in Ontario. The fundamental objective of the FIT Program, in conjunction with the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 (Ontario) and Ontario’s Long Term Energy Plan, 2010, is to facilitate the increased development of renewable generating facilities of varying sizes, technologies and configurations via a standardized, open and fair process.
The FIT Program is open to projects with a rated electricity generating capacity greater than 10 kilowatts (kW) and generally up to 500 kW. Projects of 10 kW or less (e.g., a residential rooftop solar PV installation)may qualify under the OPA's microFIT Program for small renewable energy projects. Qualified and accepted projets will receive a fixed price for the electricity produced during a 20-year contract period (except for waterpower projects, for which the contract period is 40 years). The prices paid for electricity produced vary according to the renewable energy source used and the size of the project. |
| Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (multi-state) | Illinois: Energy Resources Indiana: Energy Resources Minnesota: Energy Resources New York: Energy Resources Ohio: Energy Resources Ontario: Energy Resources Pennsylvania: Energy Resources Quebec: Energy Resources Wisconsin: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations | Yes | State/Province | This Act describes the management of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River basin, and regulates water withdrawals, diversions, and consumptive uses from the basin. The Act establishes a Council, which is responsible for water conservation and efficiency programs and reviewing proposed projects. Projects which may lead to new or increased water diversions are limited; exceptions are described in this statute. More information can be found on the website of the Council: http://www.glslcompactcouncil.org/ |
| Green Energy Act (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Grant Program | Yes | State/Province | The Green Energy Act was created to expand Ontario's production of renewable energy, encourage energy conservation and promote the creation of clean-energy green jobs.
The act aims to expand Ontario's renewable energy production and create clean-energy jobs by: - creating a feed-in-tariff program that guarantees rates for energy generated from renewable sources - such as solar photovoltaic, biogas, biomass, landfill gas, on-shore and off-shore wind and water power; minimum levels of Ontario labor and materials are required to qualify for the program - establishing the right to connect to the electricity grid for all renewable energy projects - including small-scale energy generators, such as homes and schools - that meet technical, economic and regulatory requirements - establishing a "one-stop" streamlined approvals process for small-scale renewable energy projects that meet regulatory requirements - implementing a "smart" power grid to support the development of new renewable energy projects, and to prepare Ontario for new technologies such as electric cars. The act also allows for the provision of financial assistance for small-scale renewable energy projects. |
| Innovation Demonstration Fund (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Grant Program | No | State/Province | The Innovation Demonstration Fund (IDF) is a discretionary, non-entitlement funding program administered by the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation. The program focuses on emerging technologies, with a preference towards environmental, alternative energy, bio-products, hydrogen and other globally significant technologies. The purpose of the IDF is to support Pilot Demonstrations that will lead to the commercialization of processes and/or products in Ontario that are globally competitive, innovative Green technologies.
The objective of the IDF is to help companies mitigate the risk of Pilot Demonstration Projects in Ontario facing significant technical hurdles. By focusing on Pilot Demonstration hurdles, the IDF addresses the financing gap which exists between R&D and the commercialization of new technologies. The program is not aimed at routine engineering, upgrading, marketing, business development or improvements to existing technologies, processes, products or designs. The program is currently not accepting applications. |
| Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations Safety and Operational Guidelines Siting and Permitting | Yes | State/Province | The Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act proscribes the management, protection, preservation and use of the waters of the lakes and rivers of Ontario and the land under them. The Act also details regulations for the protection of persons and property by ensuring that dams are suitably located, constructed, operated and maintained and are of an appropriate nature. The Act charges the Ministry of Natural Resources with the governance of the regulations set forth in the law. The law also provides power to the Minister to make regulations governing the design, construction, operation, maintenance and safety of dams in any lake or river. All dams must be approved by the Ministry, |
| Long-term Energy Plan (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Climate Policies Industry Recruitment/Support Renewables Portfolio Standards and Goals | Yes | State/Province | Currently, Ontario’s electricity system has a capacity of approximately 35,000 MW of power. The Ontario Power Authority forecasts that more than 15,000 MW will need to be renewed, replaced or added by 2030.
Through initiatives already underway, the province will be able to reliably meet electricity demand through 2015. Ontario needs to plan now for improving the power supply capacity to meet the province’s electricity needs beyond 2015. Ontario must plan in advance because: - Insufficient investment between 1995 and 2003 left an aging supply network and little new generation - Additional clean generation will be needed to ensure a coal-free supply mix after 2014 - Nuclear generators will need to go offline while they are being modernized - The population is projected to grow. Ontario will, first and foremost, make the best use of its existing assets to upgrade, expand or convert facilities. Nuclear power will continue to reliably supply about 50 percent of the province’s electricity needs. Hydroelectric power is expanding to include increased capacity from the Niagara Tunnel project and the Lower Mattagami project. Ontario has a hydroelectric capacity target of 9,000 MW. Natural gas-fired plants have the flexibility to respond when demand is high — acting as peak source or cushion for the electricity system. In addition, combined heat and power facilities will be further supported through incentive programs. Ontario is also planning for future energy generation that will focus on efficient, localized generation from smaller, cleaner sources of electricity rather than exclusively from large, centralized power plants transmitting power over long distances. Other renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar and bioenergy, will also be a part of the long-term plan. Ontario’s target for clean, renewable energy from wind, solar and bioenergy is 10,700 MW by 2018. Ontario will be coal-free by 2014. Eliminating coal-fired generation from Ontario’s supply mix will account for the majority of the government’s greenhouse gas reduction target by 2014. Two units at the Thunder Bay coal plant will be converted to gas and Atikokan will be converted to biomass. Two additional units at Nanticoke will be shut down in 2011. Also in the plan is the go ahead for five transmission projects for reliability, renewable energy growth, and changing demand. The plan states that during the next 20 years, estimated capital investments in energy infrastructure, refitting, and new facilities will total $87 billion. |
| Municipal Energy Plan Program (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Grant Program | Yes | State/Province | Ontario is supporting local energy planning by introducing the Municipal Energy Plan (MEP) program. The MEP program is designed to help municipalities better understand their local energy needs and conservation opportunities, set goals and develop implementation plans.
A MEP takes an integrated approach to energy planning by aligning energy, infrastructure and land use planning. MEPs will help municipalities: - Assess the community’s energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - Identify opportunities to conserve, improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions - Consider impact of future growth and options for local clean energy generation - Support local economic development. The MEP Program provides successful applicants with funding for 50 per cent of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $90,000 to develop a municipal energy plan. Successful MEP program recipients from the first round of applications include: Municipality of Chatham-Kent, City of Kingston, Town of Markham, Town of Newmarket, City of Temiskaming Shores, City of Vaughan, Municipality of Wawa and City of Woodstock. The ministry is introducing a second funding stream for municipalities that have already developed a complete or partial Municipal Energy Plan, Climate Action Plan or other energy plan. This funding is for enhancing an existing energy plan, such as updating utility or building data and/or creating new implementation plans or maps. Successful applicants to this stream will receive 50 per cent of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $25,000. |
| National Energy Board Act Part VI (Oil and Gas) Regulations (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations Siting and Permitting | Yes | Federal | These regulations from the National Energy Board cover licensing for oil and gas, including the exportation and importation of natural gas. The regulations also cover inspections, reporting requirements, and purchase contracts. |
| National Energy Board Export and Import Reporting Regulations (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Generating Facility Rate-Making Generation Disclosure Siting and Permitting | Yes | Federal | These regulations of the Canadian National Energy Board are for the administration of importing and exporting energy, including natural gas and electricity.
For electricity, every holder of a license or permit for the exportation of electricity must submit to the Board, on or before the 15th day of each month, a return for the previous month that contains the quantities and dollar value, in Canadian currency, of electricity exported, by customer, by type (firm or interruptable) and by class of electricity transfer. If the exportation is 1,000 kW or less of power to each customer served, the returns may be submitted to the Board every six months. Exporters of natural gas must submit a return of the total quantity exported, the highest quantity exported, the value or price, the name of the customer, the province in which the gas was produced, the cost of transportation, and other information. |
| Net Metering (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Net Metering | Yes | State/Province | Ontario's net metering regulation allows you to send electricity generated from renewable sources to the electrical grid for a credit toward your energy costs. Here's how it works. Your utility will subtract the value of electricity you supply to the grid from the value of what you take from the grid. What you'll see on your bill is the "net" difference between those two amounts. Net metering means you no longer need to purchase expensive batteries or a backup generator - or factor those costs into the price of installing a renewable energy generation system. If you supply power that is worth more than what you take from the grid over the billing period, you'll receive a credit that can help lower future energy bills. The more electricity you produce, the greater your savings. Net metering is available to any Ontario customer who generates electricity primarily for their own use from a renewable source (wind, water, solar or agricultural biomass), using equipment of maximum cumulative output up to 500 kilowatts in size. |
| Northern Energy Program (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Grant Program | No | State/Province | By pursuing innovative solutions to renewable energy generation and conservation, northerners will be able to reduce their costs of energy consumption and position the North for future growth. This program is designed to help northern organizations to capitalize on energy opportunities, pursue clean alternatives and reduce their demand on external energy sources. |
| Provincial Operating Standards (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations Fees Safety and Operational Guidelines Siting and Permitting | Yes | State/Province | The Provincial Operating Standards set the technical minimum requirements for cover wells and works regulated under the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act. These standards are the minimum requirements for the design, installation, operation, abandonment and safety of wells and works, but are not intended for use as a design handbook. In addition, the Standards outline the permitting process for injection wells in connection with a project for enhancing oil or gas recovery. The Standards also outline the requirements for minimum safety measures, such as blowout prevention, the disposal of waste, and operating standards for production. Also covered are the fees required for facilities to pay to the Oil and Gas Trust. |
| Qualifying RPS Market States (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Renewables Portfolio Standards and Goals | Yes | State/Province | This entry lists the states with RPS policies that accept generation located in Ontario, Canada as eligible sources towards their Renewable Portfolio Standard targets or goals. For specific information with regard to eligible technologies or other restrictions which may vary by state, see the RPS policy entries for the individual states, shown below in the Authority listings. Typically energy must be delivered to an in-state utility or Load Serving Entity, and often only a portion of compliance targets may be met by out-of-state generation. In addition to geographic and energy delivery requirements, ownership, registry, and other requirements may apply, such as resource eligibility, generator vintage and capacity limitations, as well as limits on REC vintage. The listing applies to RPS Main Tiers only, and excludes solar or distributed generation that may require interconnection only within the RPS state. This assessment is based on energy delivery requirements and reasonable transmission availability. Acceptance of unbundled RECs varies. There may be additional sales opportunities in RPS states outside the Eastern Interconnection. REC prices in markets with voluntary goals (North Dakota, South Dakota) may be lower. |
| Renewable Energy Approvals (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Siting and Permitting | Yes | State/Province | The Renewable Energy Approvals (REA) regulation creates an approval and review process for all biomass, wind energy, and solar facilities. The Ministry of the Environment inspects, investigates and enforces province-wide to ensure businesses and individuals in Ontario comply with environmental legislation outlined in the Ontario Environmental Protection Act. The regulation outlines siting regulations for all projects.
Regulations regarding wind turbines include an array of minimum setbacks, as well noise limits of 40 decibels. Biomass facilities have siting restrictions based on their capacity and potential for odor pollution, as well as noise limitations. While solar facilities do not have any direct restrictions, those regulations that do not specifically apply to the other technologies apply to solar projects. These include regulations about siting projects in designated wetlands, heritage sites, provincial parks and reserves, and specified natural features. The Ministry of the Environment works with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and several other departments to approve renewable energy projects defined in the REA regulations. |
| Water Resources Act (Ontario, Canada) | Ontario: Energy Resources | Environmental Regulations | Yes | State/Province | The Ontario Water Resources Act is designed to conserve, protect and manage Ontario's water resources for efficient and sustainable use. The act focuses on both groundwater and surface water throughout the province. The Water Resources Act regulates sewage disposal and "sewage works" and prohibits the discharge of polluting materials that may impair water quality. The act was also designed in part to protect the province's water resources from industrial and commercial users who might draw more water out of provincial aquifers than they can reasonably sustain. Permits to take more than 50,000 liters of water per day from ground or surface water sources are regulated under the Water Resources Act. The Water Resources Act also regulates well construction, well operation and abandonment, and the approval, construction and operation of all waterworks. |
| EcoAgriculture Biofuels Capital Initiative (ecoABC) (Canada) | Canada: Energy Resources | Grant Program | No | Federal | The ecoABC Initiative was a federal $200 million four-year program ending on March 31, 2011 that provided repayable contributions for the construction or expansion of transportation biofuel production facilities. Funding was conditional upon agricultural producer investment in the biofuel projects, and the use of agricultural feedstock to produce the biofuel. |