Government of Alberta Sets Out New Regulations for Renewable Development on Agricultural Land

On December 6th, the Government of Alberta announced new regulations for renewable energy development. These changes will focus on preserving agricultural land and certain viewscapes.

New regulations include:

• Renewable energy developments will no longer be permitted on Land Suitability Rating System (LSRS) Class 1 and 2 lands unless the proponent can demonstrate the ability for both crops and/or livestock to coexist with the renewable generation project.

• In municipalities without Class 1 or 2 lands, Class 3 lands will be treated as Class 1 and 2.

• An irrigability assessment must be conducted by proponents and considered by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

• Developers will be responsible for reclamation costs via a mandatory security or bond.

Alberta Grains welcomes these changes as the commission has been actively communicating farmer concerns regarding renewable development on agricultural land. Alberta Grains has advocated for these regulations and will monitor the effectiveness of these policy changes.

Read the announcement here.

Review a summary of the new regulations here.