HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-15-029 - FIT3 IESO Notice to Proceed Blanket Resolution
REPORT TO: Special Council Meeting
DATE OF MEETING: Monday, September 21, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
519-741-2200 ext 7506
PREPARED BY: Thom Ryan, Senior Business Development Officer, Economic
Development 519-741-2200 ext 7826
WARD (S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: Monday, September 21, 2015
REPORT NO.: CAO-15-029
SUBJECT:Notice to Proceed FIT 3.1 Rooftop Solar Applications under the
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Feed In Tariff (FIT)
Program – FIT 4 Program
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION: WHEREAS capitalized terms not defined herein have the
meanings ascribed to them in the FIT Contract, Version 3.1;
AND WHEREAS the Province's FIT Program encourages the construction and operation
of rooftop and other solar generation projects (the "Projects");
AND WHEREAS one or more Projects may be subject to FIT Contracts and may be
constructed and operated in The City of Kitchener ("Local Municipality");
AND WHEREAS in accordance with the FIT Rules, Version 3.0, the Council of the Local
Municipality ("Council") had previously indicated, by a resolution, its support for
Projects in the Local Municipality (the "Prior Resolution");
AND WHEREAS Council now indicates, by a resolution dated no earlier than June 10,
2015, Council's continued support for the construction and operation of the Projects
anywhere in the Local Municipality (the "New Resolution");
AND WHEREAS pursuant to the FIT Contract, where a New Resolution is received in
respect of the Projects in the Local Municipality, Suppliers will be recognized as
fulfilling the requirements under Section 2.4(d)(vii) of the FIT Contract, which may result
in Suppliers being offered Notice to Proceed in accordance with the terms of their
respective FIT Contract(s);
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
Council of The City of Kitchener supports the construction and operation of the
Projects anywhere in the City of Kitchener.
This resolution's sole purpose is to enable Suppliers to achieve Notice to Proceed
under their FIT Contracts and may not be used for the purpose of any other form of
municipal approval in relation to a FIT Contract or Project or for any other purpose.
This resolution shall expire twelve (12) months after its adoption by Council.
BACKGROUND:
The Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program was developed for the Province of Ontario to encourage and
promote greater use of renewable energy sources including on-shore wind, waterpower,
renewable biomass, biogas, landfill gas and solar photovoltaic (PV) for electricity generating
projects in Ontario. The program delivers benefits to project developers - including
communities, Aboriginal groups and Municipalities - as well as equipment suppliers and
installers, consumers and the overall provincial economy.
On June 15, 2015, Council endorsed the blanket municipal resolution in support of FIT 4. For
information on the FIT 4 program and the City of Kitchener, please refer to the June 15, 2015
Staff Report: CAO-15-019 Rooftop Solar Applications under the Independent Electricity
System Operator Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program – FIT 4 Program.
For full and additional information on FIT, please visit the IESO’s FIT website.
REPORT:
In approving this blanket resolution of Council, the City of Kitchener is re-confirming blanket
endorsement of previously approved solar rooftop projects in the City of Kitchener that have
extended beyond FIT 3, and will continue into the FIT 4 project timeline.
The FIT 4 application period is now expected to open October 5 and end October 23, 2015,
and includes any projects in the City of Kitchener previously approved by IESO and expected
to continue into the FIT 4 project timeline.
At current, there is at least one known such solar rooftop construction project seeking
continuation, but more may arise in the upcoming application period. This municipal blanket
resolution protects all such continued projects.
Under IESO, the Notice to Proceed (NTP) blanket municipal resolution is now a necessary pre-
requisite for those previously approved FIT 3 projects which seek to continue. Otherwise, the
upcoming FIT 4 application round could render the previous construction sponsor’s obligation
invalid (an approved NTP indicates notice issued by the contract sponsor that it is prepared to
waive its option set out in Section 2.4 of the FIT Contract to terminate such contract).
The NTP is only necessary for those FIT 3 contracts that wish to continue into the FIT 4
procurement timeline (it is not necessary for entirely new FIT 4 projects or completed FIT 3
projects).
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic priorities from Kitchener’s Strategic Plan 2015-2018 include:
Strategic Priority #4: SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
We will have well planned, managed and cost effective infrastructure systems that support
long-term community needs for services, harnessing the benefits of nature through green
infrastructure programs to create a healthy urban environment.
4.3 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in all areas of city
operations.
4.6 Improve the City of Kitchener’s ability to leverage funding opportunities for the
development and renewal of infrastructure through federal or provincial programs and
other partnerships.
Community Priority #9. Environment and Health: A healthy environment is critical to sustain the
present and future population of the city. Underpinned by ongoing concerns about issues such
as climate change, air quality and access to green space, Kitchener residents have made it
clear that preserving and protecting the environment should remain one of our top community
priorities - and that we, as a city, should be focusing our plans, our efforts and our dollars on
safeguarding our environment.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Not applicable.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Communication is not required as the FIT program is administered by the IESO.
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER:
Staff Report: CAO-15-019 Rooftop Solar Applications under the Independent Electricity
System Operator Feed In Tariff (FIT) Program – FIT 4 Program. June 15, 2015.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer