RMA voices concerns over Alberta’s proposed renewable energy rules on agricultural land

The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has released its official response to the Alberta Utilities Commission’s (AUC) proposed changes under Rule 007, raising significant concerns about how new regulations could impact the future of renewable energy development—especially wind and solar projects—on agricultural land.In its submission, the RMA acknowledges the growing importance of renewable energy and said it supports ‘responsible’ development. However, the organization expresses strong reservations about the government’s approach to restricting renewable energy installations on prime agricultural lands. According to the RMA, such blanket exclusions are “overly simplistic” and fail to account for the nuanced reality of rural land use..“The proposed restrictions do not reflect the diversity of Alberta’s rural landscapes or the complex, localized decisions municipalities already make around land use,” the RMA stated. “Municipalities are best positioned to evaluate whether renewable projects are compatible with ongoing agricultural operations.”The RMA argues that the proposed rules appear to undermine municipal autonomy by imposing one-size-fits-all regulations, potentially sidelining communities that have successfully balanced farming with renewable energy development. The association emphasized that local governments already apply land use bylaws that consider both agricultural viability and development opportunities..Instead of blanket bans, the RMA is advocating for a collaborative approach where municipalities play a leading role in determining land suitability for renewables, based on local economic, environmental, and social contexts. They also highlight the need for clarity and consistency in how “prime agricultural land” is defined and assessed, pointing out that many rural municipalities have not seen guidance on how regulatory authorities intend to make such determinations.The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) is currently reviewing a significant number of renewable energy project applications. As of May 2025, there are approximately 26 applications under consideration, a notable increase from the 13 applications prior to the temporary pause on approvals..Proposed solar farms in AUC project queue enough to cover two football fields 20 storeys tall, according to AI.Rural residents call for renewable ‘Pause 2.0’ as more towns mobilize against wind and solar.In addition to these applications, there are more than 90 renewable energy projects in various stages of development across Alberta.A recent analysis by the Rural Concerned Communities Group (RCCG) in Caroline, Alberta, estimated that the proposed solar farms before the AUC could encompass over 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares) and involve approximately five million solar panels. To visualize this scale, if these panels were stacked, they would form a structure equivalent in volume to two football fields stacked 20 to 30 storeys high..Alberta communities unite in grassroots protest against solar farms.Feds say solar panels pose ‘significant pollution risk’ in landfills, but recycling them is too costly.The surge in applications underscores the rapid growth of Alberta’s renewable energy sector and highlights the importance of establishing clear, collaborative policies that balance development with agricultural land preservation.In conclusion, the RMA said it supports improved planning and oversight but insists that future regulatory frameworks must respect local governance and the practicalities of rural land use.“The best outcomes come when provincial and municipal governments work together,” the submission states, “not when one level of government dictates development policy from the top down.”The AUC is currently reviewing feedback from stakeholders — including rural municipalities —and is expected to finalize Rule 007 later this year.