Despite incentives from the provincial government and claims that they have created 20,000 jobs in green energy, Ontario's solar power industry is grinding to a halt because of delays in approvals from the provincial utility.
Manufacturers of solar panels in Ontario are concerned that their investments won't pay off because of a lack of confidence in the ability of the utility to connect solar projects to the grid, as well as promises from the provincial Conservatives that they will scrap incentives for solar if they regain a majority. According to the Globe and Mail,
"The government of Premier Dalton McGuinty has vowed to shut down all of the province's coal-fired power plants, create 50,000 clean energy jobs and build a lasting green industry to reinvigorate the beleaguered manufacturing sector. The province's green-energy economy should be roaring, but it's not.
A backup in the approvals process has brought the fledgling [solar power] industry almost to a standstill...More than 22,000 applications representing 1,375 megawatts are in the queue, many of them stuck...The utility insists it has been overwhelmed by connection requests, unable to meet mandatory deadlines for assessing projects since November. The industry, however, contends the delays are unwarranted and significantly harm their businesses and threaten jobs."
FULL STORY: In Ontario, gloomy skies for solar power
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Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
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A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service