Water Power in the Far North

Water Power in the Far North April 3rd & 4th, 2012 Feed-In Tariff Forum Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Outline • MNR Roles in Renewable Energy • Water Power in the Far North • Looking to the Future

1. MNR Roles in Renewable Energy • Support Ontario’s energy supply needs and transmission plans by making land available for renewable energy • Ministry of Energy provides provincial energy and transmission policy leadership • MNR supports by facilitating access to land

1. MNR Roles in Renewable Energy • participate in industry led water power environmental assessments • issue permits and approvals to protect environment and public safety (e.g. Public Lands Act, Lakes & Rivers Improvement Act, Endangered Species Act) • Participate in the review and approval of projects

1. MNR Roles in Renewable Energy • Aboriginal and treaty rights – duty to consult • promote and enable opportunities for Aboriginal economic benefits and participation in renewable energy projects • Aboriginal consultation and opportunities for Aboriginal economic benefits

2. Water Power in the Far North • Water power Policy (2004) for all of Ontario • release of waterpower opportunities – “access” to the land • includes “northern rivers” and off grid community policy commitments • specific requirements to promote Aboriginal community participation and economic benefits

2. Water Power in the Far North • Northern Rivers • watersheds of the Severn, Winisk, Attawapiskat, and Albany rivers • water power development only by Aboriginal communities or their partners • water power development cap of 25 MW – opportunity to review through land use planning Northern Rivers

2. Water Power in the Far North Northern Rivers • Moose River Basin • no new waterpower development within the basin until co-planning agreement in place between First Nations and province Moose River Basin

2. Water Power in the Far North • Far North • Far North Act (2010) also guides water power development in the Far North • water power can be enabled through community based land use plans • if no land use plan is in place, exceptions for development can be made by the Minister • in the Far North, many water power sites are located within protected areas Northern Rivers Moose River Basin Far North Boundary

3. Looking to the Future • Provincial decisions on transmissionand energy supply needs • Long-term energy plan (LTEP) informs us where the province will plan and build transmission, and what types of renewable energy supply are needed • LTEP identifies priority to connect off-grid communities in the northwest; current lack of transmission infrastructure in Far North

3. Looking to the Future • Renewable Energy Policy Review • MNR has committed to reviewing its policy approach to how land is made available to support renewable energy development • key policy areas of the review include where and how land will be made available for renewable energy development including: • alignment with provincial energy plans and programs • policy direction on renewable energy in Far North Act

Contact Information • Renewable Energy Program • Ministry of Natural Resources • 300 Water Street • Peterborough ON K9J 8M5 • http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Renewable/index.html • Far North Branch • Ministry of Natural Resources • Ontario Government Complex • 5520 Hwy 101 East • South Porcupine ON P0N 1H0 • http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FarNorth/index.html

Water Power in the Far North