Grainswest - Tech 2023

Tech 2023 Grains West 30 Shannon Sereda, director of government relations, policy and markets with Alberta Grains, said the environmental grounds of the refusal are noteworthy in and of themselves, but the impetus for the refusal, which came about at least in part because of public outcry, could indicate a shift in response by AUC to public pressure. “We hope to see stakeholders have influence in turning a project because that’s where the challenge has been. [The AUC] has a very, very narrow consultation radius around projects,” said Sereda. That consultation radius is the same that applies to oil and gas well sites. Only those who own land within 800 metres of a project are allowed to be heard during public consultation. This is arguably inadequate for a major solar array, said Sereda. Alberta Grains supports the right of landowners to do as they see fit with their property but takes no position on the establishment of renewable projects on agricultural land, said Sereda. “Municipalities and the provincial government have very little input,” she added. “We want to find mechanisms to help resolve land-use conflict without interfering in private property owners’ rights. We’re in the early days of figuring out how agriculture and renewables can coexist.” TOP AGRICULTURAL LAND The use of farmland for industrial purposes removes these acres from production. “If you look at the projections for future solar projects, it’s a huge amount of land,” said Sereda. Alberta Grains supports the inclusion of regional planning frameworks— Alberta’s land-use planning blueprints— in the project approval process. Rather than land-use decisions being made primarily by the landowner with oversight by the AUC, to address these frameworks in discussions about utility- scale solar projects would allow the public a hand in the decision-making process. As well, these frameworks can enable the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, which allows the Province to provide direction and leadership in the determination of land-use objectives. “We believe that could be a mechanism to protect prime agricultural land, which must be valued,” said Sereda. “We support the idea that land- use frameworks should be updated and developed because it’s not just solar projects causing land-use conflict. There are abandoned wells and urban encroachment.” Opinions strongly differ as to whether agriculture and solar can coexist. Few agricultural uses, except for grazing sheep, are compatible with conventional solar panel projects, said McLauchlin. He added solar panels act as giant umbrellas that shield portions of the soil from precipitation while concentrating it into runoff. “The current density designs we’re seeing actually cause soil erosion, changes in the health of soil and changes in moisture and temperature such that soil is sterilized,” said McLauchlin. “Soil is a valuable asset. As rural municipalities, we have quite a few concerns related to soil conservation.” He sees irony in the intended purpose of solar projects versus their effects when installed on farmland. “In a hotter, drier climate change future, which solar panels are [intended] to combat, we need more agricultural land, not less.” As orphan oil and gas wells have become a burden for government and landowners, there is concern about remediation costs for abandoned and end-of-life solar projects. “We’re constantly told it’s up to the landowner to weigh the risks,” said McLauchlin. “That attitude flies in the face of the core principles of good land use and good industrial development.” Heather MacKenzie is the executive director of Solar Alberta, a non-profit that aims to accelerate the solar industry through public education and advocacy with government as well as to connect community and industry. She is not worried projects at the end of their typical 30-year contracts will become derelict. “You don’t exhaust the sun the way you exhaust an oil well.” In most cases, developers will install a new array at the end of the equipment’s 25- to 40-year lifespan, said MacKenzie. She also expects old solar panels will soon be more easily recycled. Solar Alberta and the Alberta Recycling Management Authority are developing the country’s first solar panel reuse and recycling program. “More than 95 per cent of a solar panel is recyclable. We’re way out ahead on this because Albertans are so aware of the orphan well issue and they don’t want a repeat of that.” GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE SOUGHT The RMA and Alberta Grains want government to take the lead on land-use designation for solar projects. “I don’t believe there should be a moratorium on [solar projects],” said McLauchlin. He insisted the provincial agriculture and energy departments, through the AUC, must define key criteria or, at minimum, decision-making processes required in the establishment of large scale industrial solar projects on rural land. Rather than use prime agricultural land, the RMA prefers projects be located on brownfield and low-productivity land, and sites be compatible with land-use plans created by adjacent municipalities. At least a portion of the solar industry agrees. Of Solar Alberta’s 380 members, about 150 are solar or solar-related businesses that include equipment installers and project operators from micro to massive. While the organization calls for as much solar energy as possible on the grid, MacKenzie acknowledged a balance must be struck between renewable energy and various social and environmental needs. To address this, the organization has developed solar siting recommendations. For example, Solar Alberta recommends against development on or near wetlands. It also advises developers avoid the FEATURE