Alberta adopts agriculture-first approach for land use in renewable energy projects, prohibiting generation on Class 1 and 2 lands, with reclamation costs on developers and 35 km buffer zones for protected areas.

Alberta's government has released new policies for renewable energy projects, adopting an "agriculture first" approach in evaluating land use, and prohibiting renewable generation on Class 1 and 2 lands unless crops and livestock can coexist. Developers will be responsible for reclamation costs and a 35 km buffer zone will be established around protected areas and scenic landscapes. The guidelines apply to new projects from March 1, 2024, and will impact other power and industrial developments.

March 04, 2024
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