Nova Scotia serious about green electricity
Nova Scotia wants 25% renewable electricity by 2015, and is moving aggressively to achieve it. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has announced the rates for the new feed in tariff scheme under the Renewable Electricity Plan. Full details can be viewed here but in brief the rates are:
Continue reading the post titled Nova Scotia serious about green electricityYet Another Reporting Obligation for Businesses
When will it end? Many of our clients are becoming increasingly frustrated with the imposition of onerous statutory obligations. And now the Ontario Divisional Court has added another to the pile. Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that a critical injury, which includes a …
Continue reading the post titled Yet Another Reporting Obligation for BusinessesGuidance for Environmental Site Assessments
Now that Reg. 153/04 sets strict new standards for Environmental Site Assessments of contaminated sites, it is good news that the Ministry of the Environment has finally released its guidance document for performing those ESAs. Although the new rules are only mandatory when seeking a Record…
Continue reading the post titled Guidance for Environmental Site AssessmentsClimate change and heatstroke
Just as Natural Resources Canada predicted, climate change (from greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels) is bringing us immense human, environmental and economic damage from heat waves, drought and wildfires. I have already had a person become ill this week with heatstrok…
Continue reading the post titled Climate change and heatstrokeSolar Community Bonds
Another Green Energy Act and Feed In Tariff: success: Solar community bonds are now available, so that community members can invest in, and profit from, local renewable power generation. Congratulations to the Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative! Meanwhile, Environmental Defence has put out…
Continue reading the post titled Solar Community BondsExtra soil: what can go where?
The soil movement limits imposed by regulation 153/04 on July 1, 2011 have greatly complicated the task of contractors and developers wishing to obtain or dispose of excess construction soil. Strictly speaking, the new regulation only applies if the destination site wishes to be able to obta…
Continue reading the post titled Extra soil: what can go where?Erickson decision: wind turbines can be built in Ontario
The debate should not be simplified to one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence presented to the Tribunal demonstrates that they can, if facilities are placed too close to residents. The debate has now evolved to one of degree. The question that should be ask…
Continue reading the post titled Erickson decision: wind turbines can be built in Ontario$80,000 water discharge fine
Torbear Contracting Inc., Woodbridge, had a contract to complete upgrades at a sewage treatment plant. The project required that the outdoor containment area surrounding the chemical storage tanks of sodium hypochlorite be expanded and a drain be installed to allow for easy removal of rainw…
Continue reading the post titled $80,000 water discharge fineClass action certified for highway noise
"Collective action.. creates a just balance between the people who suffer the consequences of a violation and the offender, who often has much greater resources..."
Continue reading the post titled Class action certified for highway noiseUpdated air pollution standards
Ontario’s air standards and ambient air quality criteria (AAQC) have been updated for a series of carcinogens and other toxic substances, including 1,3-Butadiene. EBR Registry Number: 010-6214 Manganese and Manganese Compounds: EBR Registry Number: 010-6253 Hexavalent Chromium, and Ch…
Continue reading the post titled Updated air pollution standards