While a local group ramps up its opposition efforts, the utility company behind a 14.67-megawatt solar project near Caroline says a recent Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) ruling could set a troubling precedent for future renewable energy proposals.

Following the AUC’s conditional approval of the project, PACE Bang Energy LP paid $238,950.20 in legal costs to the Caroline Concerned Citizens Group (CCCG), which participated in the process as a registered “local intervener.”

According to recent court documents, however, PACE Bang had initially failed to pay those costs, prompting the AUC to impose additional conditions on the company and its related entities. Those conditions included enhanced scrutiny and potential security-for-costs requirements for future AUC applications until payment was made and compliance demonstrated.

PACE Bang later paid the full amount but sought permission to appeal the AUC’s order, arguing that it could unfairly affect other PACE-related companies in future proceedings.

At an Oct. 30 hearing in Calgary, the court heard that the AUC had clarified its order, confirming that any enhanced scrutiny or security-for-costs requirements would be determined on a “case-by-case basis.” Counsel for PACE Bang and PACE Canada agreed that the clarification addressed their concerns, and the application for permission to appeal was dismissed.

94.5 Rewind Radio reached out to PACE Bang for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

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Local opposition continues

Since the ruling, the Caroline Concerned Citizens Group has rebranded as the Rural Alberta Concerned Citizens Group. Founding member Russell Barnett says the group remains opposed to the Caroline solar project — and to similar projects across the province.

“It’s the wrong location — it borders the entire north side of the hamlet of Caroline,” Barnett said. “The majority of the people on the east side will now have a solar project across the street.”

Originally formed to oppose the Caroline proposal, the group has since expanded its focus to projects in other communities, including successful opposition campaigns in Hanna and Cadogan.

Barnett says the organization is now monitoring or opposing renewable developments in 28 Alberta communities, including a proposed 2,500-acre wind project in the north.

Barnett opines that the global climate narrative is crumbling, and renewable projects are often in communities that didn’t want them in the first place. However, he says the AUC has power to override local Land Use Bylaws, Municipal Development Plans (MDP) and councils.

He says the group hopes to meet Rimbey–Rocky Mountain House–Sundre MLA Jason Nixon and Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams in Caroline later this month.

“I want them to stand in Caroline — across from the kids’ park and the ice rink — and tell us that this is in the public interest,” Barnett said. “We want this one stopped.”

The plan is to meet with Minister Nixon, Nov. 12.

According to the PACE Bang website, the project, which started in 2019, began with studies for connection to the Fortis distribution grid.

The 80-acre project would connect to the Fortis distribution system and will export electricity onto the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES).