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ARTICLE · 11 JUNE 2012

Waterpower Is Not Always Green

Siskinds LLP
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I’ve supported renewable energy for more than 30 years, even before my years as legal counsel for the Ministry of Energy.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
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I've supported renewable energy for more than 30 years, even before my years as legal counsel for the Ministry of Energy. And I'm a strong supporter of the Green Energy Act. But every type of energy generation has drawbacks, and none of them are suitable everywhere.

Most solar, wind and biomass renewable energy projects need renewable energy approvals under the Environmental Protection Act. But there is a different approval system for small hydro projects, focussed on a twin process of class environmental assessment which must be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, and site release by the Ministry of Natural Resources. This process is proving very challenging, for proponents and opponents alike.

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