CP Case study: Bala Energy Co-operative Speaker: Jeff Mole

1. Enjoy the benefits of being in control of
local renewable energy resources
Community Power Finance Forum Presentation
May 10, 2010
By Jeff Mole, Founder
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2. Public Values and Impacts
 Public land is needed for the proposal
 Public endures the economic impacts
 Water is a public resource
 New hydropower is purchased by the
public at incentivized prices,
 FiT program incentive =$20 Million +/-.
 Should development be for private
benefit?
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3. Three Options
 No hydro facility at Bala Falls
 A facility which takes the direct route
through an "environmentally" sensitive
area
 Thorough study an indirect route with
less “environmental” impacts.
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4. MNR Review of Site Release Process
 Phase 1 Completed April 19, 2010
 Phase 2 Commences “later in 2010”
 Time to get involved is now
 Public interests may have to compete
with private interests for use of public
resources.
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5. Environmental Screening Process
 Too cumbersome and too time consuming
 Not a substitute for good planning and
public consultation.
 Lacks a meaningful method of recognizing
competing values
 Protecting public values is a long and
expensive process
 Communities need to be proactive and in
control of this process
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6. Leadership & Development Tools
 Provincial Waterpower sites are clearly identified
• The waterpower resource atlas inventory
represents areas in the province where there may
be some hydrologic potential to produce
waterpower.
 Co-operative Model
• Clearly defines purpose & objective
• Investment and Finance Strategies
• Apply for “Applicant of Record” status with MNR
• Surplus funds support community wellbeing.
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7. Provincial Leadership Role
 Feed in Tariff Community “Adder”
 Community Energy Partnerships Program
 Infrastructure Ontario Loan Program.
 Guaranteed capacity allocation
 MNR Site Release programs
 Community Power Loan Guarantee Program
 A better resource identification and evaluation
process is needed.
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9. Bala During Cranberry Festival
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