The province’s new Green Energy Act has one local municipal leader concerned.
Saugeen Shores Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger — who also Chairs the Saugeen Conservation Authority Board of Directors — is afraid it will take decision-making powers away from municipalities and conservation authorities.
Freiburger says the province is telling municipalities they don’t know how to govern themselves and stepping in and telling them how.
He says they’re taking away decision making roles municipalities have when it comes to Official Plans and zoning and will be able to allow green energy projects to be built wherever they choose.
Freiburger is concerned projects will be allowed in Class 1 wetlands and says the bill overrides conservation authority regulations.
He says a presentation was recently made at a Conservation Ontario meeting and the person giving it said the province will make all of the decisions, and the outcome will always favour green energy interests.