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December 18, 2024 - Agriculture First Industry Second

New amendments to industry regulations bring safety and security to agriculture.

While the development of land is important to keep up with the ever-growing population of Alberta, it is hard to see pristine landscapes and productive land be taken over by major solar and wind projects. In fact, over the last decade Albertas renewable energy sector has seen rapid growth with minimal regulation changes. 

Municipalities, agriculture producers, and landowners are concerned about the lax regulations. The Alberta government heard those concerns and have attempted to reconcile and tighten the grip on renewable energy development. 

The Alberta Activities Designation Regulation and Conservation and Reclamation Regulation provides a specific outline for conservation and reclamation of any disturbed land, and outlines that it must be preserved back to an equivalent of what it once was.

With the amendments, the government has taken an “Agriculture First” approach in that the new amendments support Albertas native grasslands, irrigable lands, and productive agriculture areas. This is crucial to protect food production, environmental stewardship, and wildlife. 

Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) considered the following factors outlined by the Alberta government: 

• the development of power plants on specific types or classes of agricultural or environmental land
• the impact of power plant development on Alberta’s viewscapes
• the implementation of mandatory reclamation security requirements for power plants
• the development of power plants on lands held by the Crown in right of Alberta

The new Electric Energy Land Use and Visual Assessment Regulation establishes stricter guidelines for development on or near agriculture land. This regulation sets out renewable energy projects on Class 1 and 2 lands and equivalent Class 3 lands must show that the project can coexist with livestock and crops.

A specific change to this is that there is now a prohibition zone within a 70,000 square kilometer “buffer zone” that surrounds the Rocky Mountains and reaches half of western Calgary. Other areas of Alberta such as Cypress Hills and large pockets of southern Alberta will need to be assessed before approval. This is the “visual impact” consideration area which according to the governments map is more than 82,000 square kilometers of the province.

Visual impact assessments require the proponent to demonstrate to the provincial utilities’ regulator the effect the proposed development will have on the surrounding area in a simulation type way. Along with the “no build zones” and the stricter assessments, all protected areas or other “pristine viewscapes” will be protected by a 35-kilometer buffer. 

Additionally, at the benefit of landowners, the developers are now required to cough up all reclamation costs through a mandatory security or bond to either the province or the private landowners – making sure the funds are available at the project completion. 

As for crown land, the government plans to have the policy and legislative changes developed and implemented by late 2025. While crown land can be used for grazing purposes – it is also a hit for 

recreation purposes of the public in the summer. Western Alberta is a true slice of heaven and an outdoor refuge for all. It would be a shame not to conserve its natural beauty. 

These are the changes that producers have longed to see – offering the protection and the ability to preserve what is theirs not only for their herd but for their livelihood. 

Alberta accounts for almost 50 percent of Canadas cattle and is a leader in crop production. Understanding this change in regulation as a positive, protective mitigation to our farmers and our province is essential. It is as simple as no farms, no food.