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FEDERATION OF ONTARIO COTTAGERS ASSOCIATIONS 7 Many associations have ongoing concerns about pending green energy solar wind turbine or waterpower or telecommunications tower proposals on or near their lakes. While each situation is unique FOCA remains concerned about the level and timing of public involvement in decisions related to these proposals. In May 2015 FOCA wrote to the Ministry of Energys Renewable Energy Facilitation Office to request clarification about the procurement and the approvals processes for renewal energy projects. We have a number of members FOCAwrote who are upsetconcernedconfused about how when or if there are opportunities to weigh in on proposed wind and solar projects. The Ministry replied that the approval process can vary by scale and type of project. Read the Ministrys full reply here httpfoca.on.caapproving-green-energy-projects. Building good communities requires adequate consultation and reasonable public notice no matter what the project or proposal is about roads re-zonings land use changes public budgets etc. and FOCAencourages better engagement of all property owners early and throughout the process. In the case of the Green EnergyAct GEA exemptions from the Planning Act complicate matters. The challenges associated with siting renewable energy projects and the conflicts resulting from the exemption of Renewable Energy Projects from the Planning Act were identified by Municipal Affairs and Housing MMAH years ago. MMAH confirms that many local planning instruments do not apply to or affect renewable energy projects including Official Plans By-laws or Orders passed under Part V of the PlanningAct including zoning site plan holding and interim control by- laws Development Permit System By-laws Recognizing this emerging change and looming conflicts on the landscape FOCAfeatured green energy and community concerns at our FOCA member event in Fall 2009 with panelists from the Georgian Bay Association the Ontario PowerAuthority and the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association. In May 2014 The Association of Municipalities of Ontario AMO released a report Energy Policy A Brighter Wind Solar and Cell Towers in Cottage Country Future Takes Planning Municipal concerns about energy which included a variety of municipal concerns but specifically mentioned that energy system planning should include a life-cycle cost analysis of energy projects so Ontarians can clearly understand the costs and benefits of planned investments and how specific projects fit into our energy system support local generation projects in a way that meets local community energy needs and the broader goal of greener smarter energy delivery when it comes to siting large energy projectsAMO asserts this should involve the public early on providing financial and environmental details. Public feedback must be accounted for in plans and reports include social goals as part of the planning and cost benefit analysis and ensure the public understands the costs and consequences of action and inaction include reasonable timelines and the decision-making role of municipal Council in the planning process. continued on p. 9 EMERGING ISSUE