Changing Landscapes: Evolving Environmental and Regulatory Considerations for Utility-scale Renewable Energy Projects in Canada

Description and Background: A ‘cradle to grave’ approach to environmental management is becoming increasingly important for utility-scale renewable energy projects across Canada. Most Canadian provinces are experiencing significant growth of renewable energy generation. Amidst this growth, provincial regulations and policies related to environmental impacts and end-of-life obligations are rapidly changing, forcing project proponents to adapt to new standards across multiple regulatory landscapes. The range of environmental impacts considered by stakeholders – including regulators, landowners, Indigenous groups and provincial or municipal governments – has recently been expanding beyond the traditional areas of concern, such as wildlife habitats and wetlands, to now include issues relating to soils, agricultural operations, irrigation and agrivoltaics. Additionally, plans for decommissioning and reclaiming projects, including how that work will be funded, are of increasing concern. Our panel of environmental, legal and development experts will discuss evolving site selection and policy trends that relate to environmental impacts throughout construction, operation, decommissioning and reclamation of utility-scale renewable energy projects in Canada. The panel will explore emerging considerations that could place project approvals at risk and how to overcome those risks with careful planning and multi-disciplinary oversight.