Clean Energy Projects 101 Permitting Overview

1. Clean Energy Projects 101Permitting Overview November 7, 2010 Generate 2010 Susan Wilkins, VP Operations Pottinger Gaherty Environmental Consultants

2. Overview • Ministry of Natural Resource Operations (formerly ILMB) guidebook process • Provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) process • Federal CEAA and MPMO process

3. MNROGuidebook

4. MNRO Guidebook Process • If BC Environmental Assessment Act doesn’t apply (<50MW) • Clean Energy Projects Office • Development Plan is submitted for provincial and federal approvals (by referral to agencies) • Different agencies permit independently and may follow different timelines

5. Common Provincial Permits • Land Tenure (MNRO) • Water Licence (MOE) • Occupant Licence to Cut (MOF) to clear on Crown Land • ROWs and Licences of Occupation • Many others depending on interaction with mining claims (MEM), highways (MOT), etc.

6. Common Federal Permits • Fisheries Act Habitat Authorization from DFO • Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) Approval from Transport Canada • Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) review • See p. 50 of Guidebook

7. Provincial EA Process As per BCEAA… • A Provincial EA review is required if: • project will generate >50MW • transmission lines >500 kV and >40 km on a new RoW • Provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) • Concurrent permitting regulation for other Provincial permits

8. Differences - BC and federal EA

9. Federal CEAA CEAA triggered if federal authority: • is the proponent of the project • provides financial assistance to project (e.g., ecoENERGY) • grants an interest in land • exercises a regulatory duty (e.g., Fisheries Act authorization or NWPA approval)

10. Does CEAA Apply? no Do you have a project? yes yes • On the Exclusion List or otherwise excluded? no no Do you have a Federal Authority yes yes no Act applies Do you have a s.5 trigger? Act does not apply (Ref: L. Bruce, 2009)

11. Federal CEAA • CEAA Screening is most common level of review • Comprehensive Study for >200MW or transmission line > 345 kV and > 75 km on a new RoW, or • Review Panel for most complex • Coordinated by CEA Agency with decision making authority held by Responsible Authority (RA) • no legislated timelines

12. Federal MPMO • Major Project Management Office (MPMO) (est. 2007) coordinates EAs for major resource projects • Purpose is to improve federal review process for large resource projects • Applies if: • Comprehensive Study/Review Panel under CEAA, or • the project is a “large or complex multi-jurisdictional screening”

13. First Nations • First Nations play important role in project permitting in all levels of government and may conduct their own process to review a project

14. Public & Stakeholders • Proponents and regulators conduct consultation to understand issues and resolve conflicts • Best practices in public consultation: Authenticity Accountability Inclusiveness Transparency Commitment Integrity

15. Summary – Permitting Overview • Provincial MNRO guidebook process for <50MW • Provincial EAO process for >50MW • Federal CEAA triggered by federal agency • Federal MPMO process for >200MW (or “complex”) • First Nations are an integral part of project development in BC • Public stakeholder involvement is critical

16. Questions? Susan Wilkins swilkins@pggroup.com 604-895-7621