OFA was pleased to provide comments on proposed Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Act amendments, to facilitate innovative pilots or demonstration projects, from the perspective of Ontario’s agricultural sector. OFA supports the province removing avoidable costs and red tape to allow our energy systems to transition to a more sustainable and renewable energy future.
OFA notes that the proposed amendments do not specify:
- the number of years a pilot or demonstration project would be exempt from licence requirements.
- further statutory requirements such projects may receive through amendments to various other legislation.
OFA recommends the Ministry expand transparency on these matters to allow stakeholders to provide better informed comments. OFA recommends decision-makers take a practical approach to improving local and grid system level deficiencies when assessing pilot and demonstration projects.
A decentralized energy system will increase the footprint of energy infrastructure throughout Ontario rural and remote regions. This added pressure to Ontario’s finite specialty and Canada Land Class 1 through 4 farmlands must be carefully managed, and should prioritize local, Indigenous, private public partnership project and non-wire alternative solutions that improve power quality and reliability in rural and remote parts of the province.
OFA strives to ensure farming and agri-food has a voice in energy policy and the design, construction, and operation of energy infrastructure. There is a larger conversation to be had about siting projects in optimal locations to help sustain, expand, and modernize both our farm sector and our electricity system.