2023.12.11: Author, Susan Ellis, Greenbelt Water Keepers, Director

The Greenbelt Water Keepers (GWK) recently and successfully opposed a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) which is one of many projects being proposed by various qualified companies in response to the Independent Electricity System Operator Long Term 1 Request for Proposal (IESO LT1 RFP).  The IESO’s primary goal is to expand Ontario’s energy capacity by 2026-2027.  However, in the IESO LT1 RFP requirements, there are few criteria for community engagement and no guidelines or incentives to avoid environmentally sensitive or protected lands.

How did GWK know about and oppose the Langmaid project IESO LT1 RFP proposal?  As adjacent property owners to a proposed site, GWK Directors were contacted to attend a community meeting that would describe the project.  Then GWK undertook the due diligence to prove to the qualified company, IESO and government representatives that this site (on Clarington’s Oak Ridges Moraine) was inappropriate due to its environmental significance and legislated protections.

Why this bulletin?  GWK knows that other communities and environmentalists may not be aware of these energy infrastructure proposals and hence would be at a disadvantage if/when opposing them.  In fact, late in November GWK was made aware of 2 other project proposals on Clarington’s Greenbelt ORM!  And due to our research and pending opposition, the community outreach meetings were postponed/cancelled.  These meetings are a requirement for project proposal submission so it is a good sign that these projects will be withdrawn.  Other communities are also finding success in opposing these projects as evidenced by news coverage and victorious petitions online.

Forewarned is forearmed.  GWK created this bulletin to raise awareness and provide the tips below:

1.       Find projects in your area:

• Scan greenbeltwaterkeepers.ca for approximately 40 sites we identified and located during our research phase

• Contact the IESO at engagement@ieso.ca and  LT.RFP@ieso.ca.  Ask for a list of project proposals for the IESO LT1 RFP in your area of concern.

• Ask your local councillor and planning department if they have handled any planning or resolution inquires to companies responding to the IESO LT1 RFP with energy storage or capacity project proposals.

• Do an online search.  Use keywords: energy storage, energy capacity, IESO, <your region, township, municipality name>

2.       Locate projects in relation to environmentally protected areas:

• Identify if projects are on or near ecologically or hydrologically sensitive lands.  Are projects near Species at Risk (SAR) flyways, or habitats?

• Identify any overriding environmental and prime agricultural legislation, bylaws and protections: Provincial, Regional and Municipal

• Raise concerns to stakeholders: IESO, qualified company, government representatives and planners

• Organize and rally the community

• Engage media

3.       More information:

• Request a copy of David Donelly’s (the Greenbelt Lawyer) letter to the IESO on behalf of GWK

• Subscribe to and watch greenbeltwaterkeepers.ca for future updates on GWK efforts to get amendments to: the IESO project proposal evaluation process, Greenbelt legislation and Ministry of Environment, Climate and Parks Environmental Assessment guideline

• Review Ontario Nature’s Getting your Voice Heard Guide

Advocating for nature is not always easy, but it can result in positive though hard-won outcomes.  GWK hopes these tips are helpful and that our success in opposing the Langmaid project encourages you to take action to protect the greenspaces that are important and special to you.