tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:09:26 +0000community powersocial entrepreneurshipBritish Columbiaagricultureenergy efficiencygreen bondsconservationentrepreneursolar accessincorporationcontractsenvironmental lawmicroFITWorld Trade Organizationnet valuedomestic contentgreentbizFITmega-quarrybiogasnonprofitsclimate changeCOP15United Statesbrad duguidenvironmental liabilityorganicesconuclearcarbonNeil Fairheadontario sustainable energy associationleasecarbon taxfoodWestern Climate Initiativegreen energy actzoosharebusiness improvement areaRachel Carsonppgfair tradeontariorenewable energywindTanzaniasolarhttp://wakulat.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)Blogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-4943851181808792683Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:05:00 +00002011-11-03T16:44:50.689-04:00ontarioFITcommunity powerWith the announcement that the Ontario Power Authority's Feed-in-Tariff Program is currently under review by the Province of Ontario, long-time blog contributor Neil Fairhead explores the value of ensuring that Community Power issues are represented in the discussions. Now that the most recent Ontario provincial election has passed, it’s probably a good time to reflect on the government’s http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/u0en9ZsC3As/green-energy-ontario-20-community-power.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/u0en9ZsC3As" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/11/green-energy-ontario-20-community-power.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-3918103301630832053Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:11:00 +00002011-10-17T12:16:53.076-04:00mega-quarryagriculturefoodWhat's a successful protest festival without a little rain, wind and mud? Foodstock served up ample portions of all three but managed to keep thousands of attendees warm with hot apple cider, samplings of local fare and a line-up of sizzling live performances. The event was a rally of opposition to the proposed construction of a mega-quarry in this picturesque nook of southern Ontario. On http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/jiqOQjtdz20/canadian-chefs-rally-opposition-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/jiqOQjtdz20" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/10/canadian-chefs-rally-opposition-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-2706373230312252617Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:43:00 +00002011-09-30T15:47:01.043-04:00FITsolargreen energy actKoenig & Consultants is a boutique management consulting company based in Toronto and Hamburg with special expertise in the area of Renewable Energy. Their work includes traditional consulting around strategy, marketing and communication for renewable energy companies. Each month they provide a "Chart of the Month" for interested clients, colleagues and friends. This is their September 2011 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/Mf-fWGVZH2Q/guest-post-koenig-consultants-gaze-at.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/Mf-fWGVZH2Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/09/guest-post-koenig-consultants-gaze-at.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-766053853835922150Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:32:00 +00002011-09-27T21:34:05.296-04:00solargreen energy actcommunity powerAs mentioned in an earlier post, Wakulat|Law Principal Rob Wakulat teamed up with local Business Improvement Areas in the Etobicoke Lakeshore community and volunteers from the Environmental Planning Committee of the LAMP Community Health Centre to put on a one-day Solar & Conservation Fair dedicated to showcasing sustainability initiatives. A key theme was empowering local communities to explore http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/Q-FYeClXYUE/2nd-annual-solar-conservation-fair.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/Q-FYeClXYUE" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/09/2nd-annual-solar-conservation-fair.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-3115988679222004685Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:50:00 +00002011-09-24T19:50:46.839-04:00energy efficiencyppggreentbizescoWakulat|Law Principal Robert Wakulat has recently been working with the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, though its greenTbiz program, to engage in sustainability outreach to Toronto's 27,000 small business members of the city's 71 BIAs. As greenTbiz looks to the best practice models of other green outreach programs, it has continually set its gaze upon the groundbreaking work http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/t9JDZ3NWfz4/funding-sustainability-efforts-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/t9JDZ3NWfz4" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/09/funding-sustainability-efforts-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-7892233254230604225Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:31:00 +00002011-09-24T19:31:46.587-04:00renewable energyontariowindgreen energy actIntroduction Ever since the Province of Ontario introduced its landmark Green Energy and Green Economy Act, two major tracks of criticism have bedevilled the wind sector. First, developers are more likely to find local communities opposing proposed wind farms that have taken advantage of the streamlined approval process implemented by the Act. This lack of required consultation has created a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/md4lkZ5bIvY/wakulatlaw-supports-friends-of-winds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/md4lkZ5bIvY" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/09/wakulatlaw-supports-friends-of-winds.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-8452820438416851465Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:06:00 +00002011-09-23T16:07:17.025-04:00renewable energygreen energy actontario sustainable energy associationbrad duguidIntroduction Energy has become a hot topic during the Province of Ontario’s 40th election campaign. Hydro bills, the smart grid (read: time-of-use pricing) and the energy fuel mix are all issues that have animated the policy positions of the four main parties as voters prepare to head to the polls on October 6, 2011. The debate surrounding the province’s renewable energy sector has created http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/hNH-nYliNaQ/ontario-votes-2011-future-of-energy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/hNH-nYliNaQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/09/ontario-votes-2011-future-of-energy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-1811309958283774852Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:10:00 +00002011-09-23T12:14:50.032-04:00renewable energyontariozooshareThe launch of Doors Open Toronto twelve years ago has conditioned Torontonians to enjoy one weekend a year of serendipitous cultural discovery as over 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance open themselves for free to public perusal. Developed as a millennium project in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has witnessed over 1.7 million people take advantage of the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/SNbkrPaezG8/doors-open-green-energy-edition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/SNbkrPaezG8" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/09/doors-open-green-energy-edition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-2975054676066101852Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:38:00 +00002011-08-15T15:38:57.099-04:00solargreen energy actcommunity powerFollowing on the heels of last year's first go-round with the Solar & Conservation Fair on the Lakeshore, Wakulat|Law has become involved in organizing a second iteration of the event.  On Saturday September 10, 2011, the 2nd Annual Solar and Conservation Fair will be hosted by the local Lakeshore Business Improvement Areas. It will take place at the Assembly Hall in South Etobicoke from 11 am tohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/3FiIA285nAg/wakulatlaw-organizes-2nd-annual-solar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/3FiIA285nAg" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/08/wakulatlaw-organizes-2nd-annual-solar.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-1237740562377794818Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:47:00 +00002011-08-03T13:54:31.657-04:00incorporationsocial entrepreneurshipnonprofitsAfter moving the Wakulat|Law HQ to the Centre for Social Innovation - Annex this Spring, I have had the pleasure of meeting a very passionate and creative community of Canadian social entrepreneurs. I have also discovered there is a common question amongst a few early-stage ventures: what type of legal structure should I create?  I don't pretend to have a silver bullet to answer this question.  http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/3GzANJVh1g8/incorporating-social-ventures-rose-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/3GzANJVh1g8" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/08/incorporating-social-ventures-rose-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-9172046879193466374Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:25:00 +00002011-07-24T18:25:44.735-04:00renewable energynet valueNeil FairheadNeil Fairhead returns with a post examining the issues surrounding the value of renewable energy. This blog is triggered by a number of articles I read recently that angered me. They consistently talked down to their readers by presenting a small part of the renewable energy story - and then implying that part was the most important item - rather than presenting the whole picture and letting us http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/84w_ueldGKY/guest-post-what-is-net-value-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/84w_ueldGKY" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-what-is-net-value-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-1192784239099448406Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:16:00 +00002011-07-13T16:16:12.540-04:00The following is cross-posted from McMillan LLP's website. You can view the original post here. It is posted with the kind permission of McMillan partner and entry author Mike Richmond. Mike is a lawyer in the Energy Law Group with a focus on electricity, renewables and utilities. Further to the Energy Law bulletin we circulated in May regarding the Ontario PC Party's pledge to cancel http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/vVoBRYoanOk/guest-post-mcmillan-llp-clarifies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/vVoBRYoanOk" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-mcmillan-llp-clarifies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-1826724550930358776Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:11:00 +00002011-06-20T18:12:54.181-04:00renewable energyFITzoosharebiogasToronto, June 17, 2011 In its June session, the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with ZooShare Biogas Co-operative Inc. to develop and operate a 500 kW scalable biogas plant. The project will be the first co-operatively owned biogas plant in Canada and the first zoo-based biogas plant of its kind in North America. Under the proposed terms of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/fuyjdo2wpks/press-release-zooshare-biogas-co.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/fuyjdo2wpks" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/06/press-release-zooshare-biogas-co.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-44579390948241326Mon, 20 Jun 2011 03:06:00 +00002011-06-19T23:08:20.294-04:00ontariozoosharewindsolarI recently had the pleasure of traveling across parts of beautiful southwestern Ontario on a couple of road trips. With the cooperation of some incredible early summer weather, I began to finally see the impact of the province's push to build a distributed and green energy grid. While there is still a ways to go before this area is mistaken for the German countryside, there has clearly been a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/k9lGAiMSZiU/changing-landscape-of-ontario.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/k9lGAiMSZiU" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/06/changing-landscape-of-ontario.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-1101549260581082562Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:07:00 +00002011-06-13T00:07:06.471-04:00environmental lawRachel Carson  <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-alt:Times; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Garamond; panose-1:0 2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/ccU4RHUubOM/on-origins-of-enviro-law-happy-belated.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/ccU4RHUubOM" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/06/on-origins-of-enviro-law-happy-belated.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-7802056119110958762Sun, 05 Jun 2011 02:29:00 +00002011-06-05T10:20:24.716-04:00FITgreen energy actbiogasgreen bondsEngaging the public in significant initiatives by issuing bonds has a long history in Canada, arguably originating with the war bonds used to finance the country’s early 20th century war efforts. Today, rather than using the proceeds of bonds to tear down a foreign enemy, they are being put towards the building of local communities. CSI's Community Bonds The Toronto-based Centre for Social http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/gvQP7exSMmc/strengthening-community-bonds-to-build.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/gvQP7exSMmc" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/06/strengthening-community-bonds-to-build.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-7005343671799421692Fri, 20 May 2011 21:48:00 +00002011-05-20T17:48:45.142-04:00renewable energygreen energy actnuclearKoenig & Consultants is a boutique management consulting company based in Toronto and Hamburg with special expertise in the area of Renewable Energy. Their work includes traditional consulting around strategy, marketing and communication for renewable energy companies. Each month they provide a "Chart of the Month" for interested clients, colleagues and friends. This is their May 2011 version. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/YMk9iczpSfU/guest-post-koenig-consultants-inc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/YMk9iczpSfU" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-post-koenig-consultants-inc.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-3473206233785720174Sun, 08 May 2011 17:36:00 +00002011-06-04T22:37:21.090-04:00carbon taxclimate changeWestern Climate InitiativeBritish Columbia BC Premier Christy Clark A little noticed affirmation of the Government of British Columbia's commitment to its revenue-neutral carbon tax and participation in the Western Climate Initiative has recently popped up in the blogosphere. Both James Glave and Professor George Hoberg have posted copies of an open letter from Premier Christy Clark to British Columbians in which she provides http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/63B2DG7EFes/strong-silent-commitment-to-bcs-green.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/63B2DG7EFes" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/05/strong-silent-commitment-to-bcs-green.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-3353283104644238714Tue, 03 May 2011 23:28:00 +00002011-05-03T19:28:46.537-04:00renewable energyFITentrepreneurgreen energy actcommunity powerbiogasDaniel Bida is the founder of ReGenerate Biogas, a company created in in early 2009 to foster the development of community-owned anaerobic digestion for agriculture around Ontario. Daniel has kindly shared his thoughts on the progress of the Ontario biogas market with this post. I’m currently reading Roger Martin’s The Design of Business – a business book examining the way organizations make http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/rodujNnJNYo/guest-post-daniel-bida-and-ontarios.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/rodujNnJNYo" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-post-daniel-bida-and-ontarios.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-230754867664763633Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:26:00 +00002011-04-22T14:28:23.235-04:00renewable energyFITgreen energy actWhile the political opposition in Ontario continues to question the value of the province's Feed-in Tariff Program, the state of California has bet the windfarm on renewable energy. Last week, Governor Jerry Brown upped the ante by signing legislation which would require California utilities to get one-third of their power from renewable sources. This creates the most aggressive http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/_wfiENdhLg0/while-political-opposition-in-ontario.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/_wfiENdhLg0" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/04/while-political-opposition-in-ontario.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-2775631268278216827Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:28:00 +00002011-04-18T14:29:32.044-04:00environmental liabilityclimate changecarbonFollowing the positive reception of this last post, "Turn Signals," guest blogger Neil Fairhead returns with a look at the Carbon Disclosure Project and what we should take away from its role in the climate debate.   Two weeks ago, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) held its first workshop in Canada. Who? What? Why should I care? The CDP is a small NGO based in England that provides http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/jxg8KvJRDvA/follow-money-carbon-disclosure-project.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/jxg8KvJRDvA" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/04/follow-money-carbon-disclosure-project.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-3793223967200316396Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:28:00 +00002011-04-18T14:30:54.332-04:00renewable energysolargreen energy actAs mentioned in an earlier post, Wakulat|Law worked with Zizzo Allan Climate Law to co-author a report entitled Barriers to the Adoption of Rooftop Solar for Partners in Project Green which is a project being operated in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone. PPG comprises approximately 12,000 hectares in the Greater Toronto Are, including Toronto Pearson International Airport as well as portions of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/UYaCxbPQPuI/partners-in-project-green-discusses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/UYaCxbPQPuI" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/04/partners-in-project-green-discusses.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-3261962705906395475Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:42:00 +00002011-04-05T09:38:19.228-04:00Update:  A mid-March poll I found over at the informative blog ThreeHundredEight.com shows the provincial Progressive Conservatives polling ahead of the Liberals 44%-35%. Introduction While the twitterverse, blogosphere and stratosphere are riveted by the "will they, won't they" back-and-forth between the leaders of the country's two largest federal parties on the question of whether these guyshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/FZEKGOhLYQY/energizing-ontarios-2011-election.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/FZEKGOhLYQY" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/04/energizing-ontarios-2011-election.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-8440065518775411898Sun, 03 Apr 2011 19:38:00 +00002011-04-03T15:38:28.423-04:00TanzaniasolarHi Friendly Folks, As with any amateur blogger worthy of that moniker, I have let ye olde blog slip over the past couple months. The first half of that absence can be easily explained, while the second half is probably best chalked up to simple inertia. Wildebeest Camp - Solar Umbrella What is this "absence" I speak of? Well, it starts off with someone very near and dear to me venturing off http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/L-HwQX7uje8/absence-explained.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/L-HwQX7uje8" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/04/absence-explained.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2651035260768819299.post-9033504428813346584Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:10:00 +00002011-02-07T22:38:18.575-05:00solar accessFITAfter an Ottawa man found his passive solar heating home in danger of being put in the dark by a neighbouring condo development, CBC Ottawa Morning decided to do a little digging and learn about whether there is a "right to light" in Ontario.  Rob joined host Kathleen Petty on the February 7, 2011 show to discuss the current state of the law, steps solar investors should take before making a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/wakulat/~3/djSaatL0b0A/wakulatlaw-sheds-light-on-solar-accesss.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Wakulat)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/wakulat/~4/djSaatL0b0A" height="1" width="1"/>http://wakulat.blogspot.com/2011/02/wakulatlaw-sheds-light-on-solar-accesss.html