Should Ontario Fast-Track Renewable Energy Approvals?

Official title: Amending the Renewable Energy Approval regulation to remove certain project types from the process and streamline the review of Natural Heritage Assessments

Open Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Ontario wants to speed up approvals for solar, wind, and biogas projects. The plan? Remove some projects from the approval process entirely if they're already regulated elsewhere. Also, instead of government staff reviewing environmental assessments, qualified consultants would sign off on them. The goal is faster project delivery while keeping environmental protections.

Why This Matters

Care about clean energy in Ontario? This affects how fast new solar panels and wind turbines get built. Faster approvals could mean more renewable power sooner. But there's a trade-off: less government oversight of environmental reviews. If you live near potential project sites, you might want to weigh in.

What Could Change

Factories and hospitals generating their own renewable power could skip the approval process if they already have other environmental permits. The Ministry of Natural Resources would no longer review bird and bat studies—private consultants would certify them instead. This could cut months off project timelines.

Key Issues

  • Should facilities with existing environmental permits be exempt from renewable energy approvals?
  • Should private consultants replace government review of natural heritage and bird/bat assessments?
  • What are the anticipated benefits or costs to Ontario businesses from these changes?

How to Participate

  1. Read the proposal details and the related Natural Heritage Assessment Guide updates.
  2. Submit your comments through the Environmental Registry by the deadline. You can also email permissions.modernization@ontario.ca.

Submit Your Input

Comment On The Renewable Energy Approval Changes Draft Email
Questions Being Asked (1)
  1. What are the anticipated benefits or costs to Ontario businesses from these proposed changes?

Key Documents