Ottawa Municipal Candidates Renewables-Ready Pledge

CAFES and Environmental Defence Canada are asking Ottawa municipal election candidates to sign the Renewables-Ready Pledge — a commitment to give Ottawa clear, transparent rules for hosting responsible wind, solar and battery storage projects, and to say no to new gas-fired power generation in the city. Below is the pledge text; it takes two minutes to sign. 
Over twenty candidates have signed so far. See the list below the pledge.

The Renewables-Ready Pledge:

I pledge to work toward making the City of Ottawa renewables-ready —a city that welcomes responsibly located wind, solar and battery-storage projects, uses municipal and public property to generate clean energy, secures meaningful local benefits and supports Ontario’s energy transition. 

The Commitment:

As a new candidate or incumbent seeking election to Ottawa City Council, I believe our city should benefit from Ontario’s growing renewable-energy economy.

If elected, I will use the powers available to me as a municipal elected representative to make the City of Ottawa a willing, informed and prepared host for renewable energy and battery storage. 

I commit to:

1. Support responsible renewable energy and storage

I will support a fair, timely and transparent path for responsibly sited wind, solar, battery storage, hydro power upgrades and other non-emitting electricity projects.

This includes supporting Municipal Support Confirmations or council resolutions for projects that demonstrate meaningful public and Indigenous engagement, appropriate siting, credible safety and emergency plans, and clear local benefits.

2. Say no to new fossil-gas electricity projects

I will not support new or expanded gas-fired electricity generation in the city of Ottawa.

I will advocate for local and provincial electricity needs to be met through renewable energy, battery storage, energy efficiency, demand management and needed grid improvements.

3. Create clear local standards for energy projects

I will support a municipal Renewables-Ready Standard that clearly identifies:

• which technologies the municipality is prepared to support;
• which projects can move through a streamlined resolution process, such as rooftop solar on public property, parking-lot solar, solar on brownfields and behind-the-meter storage;
• which larger projects require staff review, public engagement and a council decision;
• what information developers must provide before council decides; and
• when municipal support will not be issued.

Municipal support for an IESO procurement is not automatic project approval. Zoning, site-plan, building, environmental, safety and other approvals must still be reviewed through the proper process.

See also the Frequently Asked Questions.