LT2 Projects Proposed in Prime Agricultural Areas

On June 6, 2024, a ministerial directive was issued jointly by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This letter gave policy direction to proponents that:

1. Ground-mounted solar projects in prime agricultural areas are prohibited. Prime agricultural areas in Ottawa are designated Agricultural Resource Area and shown on Schedule B9 of the Official Plan.
2. Projects proposed to be located in prime agricultural areas, that are not ground-mounted solar, are required to complete an Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) to the satisfaction of the municipality. The purpose of an AIA is meant to evaluate the potential impacts of non-agricultural uses on the agricultural system.

All eligible projects that are proposed in Prime Agricultural Areas require the completion of an Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA). There are three components of an AIA (avoid, minimize, and mitigate), which may be completed in two different stages for projects proposed under the LT2 RFP:

• Stage 1: AIA Component One Requirement considers ways to avoid potential impacts (e.g., prevent impacts, where possible, through a project location process that considers options outside prime agricultural areas and lower priority soils, if necessary).
  1. Component One must be met as of the Proposal submission deadline.
  2. Confirmation that the AIA Component One Requirement has been completed to the satisfaction of the Local Municipality is evidenced via the Municipal Support Confirmation.
• Stage 2: AIA Components Two and Three Requirement considers strategies to minimize potential impacts (e.g., keep impacts to a minimum by incorporating specifics in the design of a project or operational plan) and approaches to mitigate potential impacts (e.g., adopt measures to reduce the severity of impacts such as noise, dust and traffic). Components Two and Three Requirement must be met within 18-months of the IESO awarding a Contract.
  1. Confirmation that the AIA Components Two and Three Requirement has been completed to the satisfaction of the Local Municipality is evidenced via Exhibit T: Form of AIA Confirmation Certificate of the LT2 Contract.

These requirements are completed by the developer and then reviewed to the satisfaction of the Local Municipality. To support the completion and review of the AIA requirements, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness has published guidelines documents here: OMAFA Guidelines for the LT2 AIA Component One Requirement. The OMAFA Guidelines for the LT2 AIA Component Two and Three Requirement have not been published yet. In addition, the IESO has posted an updated LT2 Agricultural Impact Assessment FAQ on their website.