Ontario Tribunal Dismisses Appeal Regarding Harm Caused by Wind Farm

On July 18, 2011, the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) dismissed the appeal brought by residents in Chatham, Ontario (the Appellants) relating to the issuance of a Renewable Energy Approval by the Ministry of the Environment for the 20 MW Kent Breeze Wind Farm (Project). Erickson v. Director, Ministry of the Environment, Case Nos. 10-121, 10-122 (July 2011) (Environmental Review Tribunal) (Erickson). The Project is owned by Suncor Energy Services Inc. The decision follows 17 days of hearings that began in February 2011, and is significant because it is the first appeal to the ERT considering the issuance of a Renewable Energy Approval. Published in the Canada – Oil & Gas section of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation's Mineral Law Newsletter, Volume 28, Number 4, 2011.