Pay attention to town's energy concerns

The provincial government should be listening to input from other levels of government, before firmly establishing guidelines for the Green Energy and Economy Act.

Innisfil council is expected to vote on a letter written by municipal staff, which makes several recommendations concerning the implementation of the Act. If approved, the letter would be sent to the Ministry of the Environment. It would encourage the ministry to accept recommendations from the Innisfil Alternative Energy Ad Hoc Committee, which call for changes to setback limits for renewable energy projects, clean-up requirements and other aspects of the Act.

The Act would also give jurisdiction over project approvals to the province. Under the plan, the town would also recommend changes to setback requirements for wind generators.

The committee has been reviewing the Act, and looking at alternative energy plans in other regions of the world, for the last few months. It was established in May, and included mayor Brian Jackson, councillor Rod Boynton, residents Gary Taylor and Rick Earhart, and local energy experts Chris Olthuis and Tim Cane.

The committee is responsible for providing recommendations on wind, solar and other forms of 'green' energy policies for the municipality to council. It also investigates different types of alternative energy production methods, reviews examples from other jurisdictions, and conducts public consultation. Within a short timeframe, this committee has begun to learn about the positive and negative impacts that alternative energy can have on a municipality, in order to prepare the town for the province's impending guidelines.

And it appears this committee has been doing its homework, presenting detailed and thorough recommendations for alternative energy usage and generation throughout the province.

The only issue is a simple one; there's no guarantee the province will listen to the recommendations. Since coming to power several years ago, there's been a strong reluctance for the Liberal government to listen to voices outside of the party. Despite the obvious impact alternative energy will have on municipalities, the province has essentially taken jurisdiction over the issue. It could leave municipal governments with little say, meaning Innisfil's efforts may become futile. In a municipality where alternative energy has become an issue, local representation and discussion is vital in the decision-making process.

Town politicians knew the risk when they formed the committee, but genuinely hoped their input would be respected. Let's hope their optimism is well placed.