Alberta Implements Strict New Rules for Renewable Energy Projects

The Alberta government has introduced new regulations affecting wind and solar developments, including bans on prime agricultural land and the establishment of buffer zones around protected areas.

• Alberta's new rules prohibit renewable energy projects on prime agricultural land and within 35km of designated 'pristine viewscapes'.
• The moratorium on new renewable energy project approvals, in place since August, will end on February 29.
• Developers will be responsible for reclamation costs and must secure a bond with the government.
• Municipalities will have the right to participate in Alberta Utilities Commission hearings on renewable energy projects.
• The regulations aim to address concerns over land use, reclamation, and grid reliability while preserving Alberta's landscapes.

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