OFA provided comments to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regarding their discussion paper on regulating commercial-scale geologic carbon storage projects in Ontario.
Many of our members live and work in areas potentially impacted by commercial-scale geological carbon storage. Our key recommendations to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) include:
- Incorporate strong provisions to hold companies accountable for adverse environmental, financial and safety impacts.
- Ensure landowners concerns are considered during processes that will increase activities under existing and new lease arrangements, and specifically address the concerns of those living above areas designated for deep geological carbon storage.
- Undertake a robust educational campaign to ensure Ontarians understand the risks associated with carbon storage activities, which are new to Ontario geology.
- Collaborate with landowners and other stakeholders to better understand the long-term impacts of ceding personal land rights or Crown property rights.
- Publish information and share findings related to test and demonstration projects to help the public make informed decisions.
Agriculture has a key roll in carbon management, utilizing CO2 to grow plants and turning it into food and organic matter, while building healthy and resilient soils along the way. OFA strives to ensure agriculture has a voice in infrastructure policy discussions, and infrastructure design, construction and operation, including carbon sequestration. This is meant to help insure the sustainability, growth and modernization of our farm sector.
OFA appreciate this opportunity to present a perspective from the viewpoint of Ontarians living in rural and farm communities.