This document discusses options for developing a hydropower facility at Bala Falls and strategies for communities to take control of local renewable energy resources. It outlines three options for the hydro facility and notes concerns about using public land and resources for private benefit. It recommends communities take a proactive role to protect public values and discusses leadership tools like co-operative models and provincial programs that could help communities develop renewable resources.

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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