Can Oakville make power plant get municipal air permit?
Can municipalities insist that local industries obtain municipal air permits, in addition to those issued by the province?
Continue reading the post titled Can Oakville make power plant get municipal air permit?What's happening with BPA?
In the last two years, there has been lots of public concern about consumer exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in soft drinks, baby bottles, etc.). Many vendors and retailers withdrew their BPA products; eco leaders now carry metal water bottles instead of plastic. Environment Canada is now plann…
Continue reading the post titled What's happening with BPA?MOE bracing for renewable energy approvals
The Ministry of Environment is bracing for the 500 to 800 renewable energy approval applications that they expect to receive once the Ontario Power Authority issues its Feed In Tariff contract offers, starting in March. An approvals team has been assembled. Amid extensive internal consultati…
Continue reading the post titled MOE bracing for renewable energy approvalsNoisy nosy neighbours
Mr. and Mrs. Monroe were forbidden to operate their air conditioner if it causes sound beyond 55 dB from 7 AM to 10 PM, and 45 dB overnight, measured anywhere along the property boundary.
Continue reading the post titled Noisy nosy neighboursGame theory, climate change and Davos
This should have been an easy negotiation, infinitely easier than the climate crisis. Despite that, at least one group refused to to give up its separate existence, even at the price of certain death for all.
Continue reading the post titled Game theory, climate change and DavosApprovals Reform, at last?
After years of complaints about the economic drag created by Ontario’s sclerotic environmental approval process, something may finally be about to change. Environment Minister Gerretsen has announced the formal beginning of consultations on the long-overdue transformation agenda for Ap…
Continue reading the post titled Approvals Reform, at last?Courts, the environment and big fines
When I was a young lawyer, fines up for even the most egregious environmental offences tended to be very small. In one famous case, R.v. Cyanamid, proof of enormous pollution was punished with a $1 fine. Judges used to groan when we environmental prosecutors came into their courtrooms, compl…
Continue reading the post titled Courts, the environment and big finesCity goes to bat for neighbours of cement plant
In an unusual move, the City of Toronto has sought and obtained leave to appeal the air certificate of approval issued to an existing cement plant. The plant had been the subject of numerous complaints from local residents, relating to dust and noise. The Ministry of the Environment issued a…
Continue reading the post titled City goes to bat for neighbours of cement plantThe Samsung agreement and access to the grid
The most troubling aspect of the Samsung deal (beside the price) is its impact on the availability of transmission for other renewable energy generators.
Continue reading the post titled The Samsung agreement and access to the gridRenewable Energy Approvals
As the Ontario Power Authority grinds through 1022 applications for feed in tariff contracts (plus about 3200 microFits), the Ministry of the Environment is gearing up to process applications for renewable energy approvals. About 91 renewable energy projects have been approved since 2003,…
Continue reading the post titled Renewable Energy Approvals