**Please note you do not have to donate to sign this petition. ANy donations made on this site will go to Change.org**

BACKGROUND: Wind and solar energy must be pursued in a manner that is both environmentally and socially responsible, addressing the concerns of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians while maximizing associated benefits.

We, the undersigned, request an immediate delay on all wind and solar energy projects, both offshore and onshore, pending the enactment of comprehensive wind and solar energy legislation. This legislation should safeguard the rights of landowners, residents, and Indigenous communities while maximizing benefits for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The Wind and Solar Energy Legislation should include, but not be limited to, the following provisions:

• Effective Stakeholder Engagement
• Proper Regulatory Requirements
• Decommissioning and Restoration
• Indigenous Rights and Perspectives
• Equitable Distribution of Benefits
• Environmental Protection Measures
• Transparency and Accountability
• Compensation for Fishing Industry Impacted by Offshore Wind Farms
• Protection of Landscape, Tourism, Historial Areas, and Waterways/Microecosystems

Only through the enactment of comprehensive wind and solar energy legislation can we ensure that the benefits of these industries are maximized while minimizing concerns and negative impacts, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future for our province.

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The Wind and Solar Energy Legislation should include, but not be limited to, the following provisions:

Effective Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring meaningful consultation and engagement with all relevant stakeholders, including landowners, residents, Indigenous communities, environmental organizations, and industry stakeholders, throughout the planning, development, and implementation stages of wind and solar energy projects.

Proper Regulatory Requirements: Establishing clear regulatory requirements for setback distances, noise levels, and reclamation standards to minimize potential negative impacts on communities, ecosystems, and natural resources.This would also include decommissioning and restoration. 

Indigenous Rights and Perspectives: Recognizing and respecting the rights, traditions, and perspectives of Indigenous communities by facilitating their meaningful participation and decision-making in wind and solar energy projects, in accordance with legal obligations and agreements.

Equitable Distribution of Benefits: Ensuring that the economic, social, and environmental benefits of wind and solar energy projects are equitably shared within communities, including opportunities for local employment, business development, revenue sharing, and capacity building.

Environmental Protection Measures: Implementing robust environmental protection measures to mitigate potential impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources, including habitat preservation, wildlife monitoring, and restoration efforts.

Transparency and Accountability: Promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation in all aspects of wind and solar energy project planning, decision-making, and monitoring, to build trust and confidence among stakeholders.

Additional Concerns:

Compensation for Fishing Industry Impacted by Offshore Wind Farms: Addressing concerns arising from the Ottawa offshore accords with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, currently being updated to promote offshore wind farm development. The legislation should provide details on potential compensation for members of the fishing industry who may be excluded from offshore areas due to renewable energy project approvals.

Protection of Landscape, Tourism, Historical Areas, and Waterways/Microecosystems: Calling for specific provisions in the legislation to protect the landscape, tourism sites, historical areas, and waterways/microecosystems from adverse impacts associated with wind and solar energy projects. This includes preserving scenic views, safeguarding cultural heritage sites, and ensuring the sustainable management of water resources and microecosystems.

Only through the enactment of comprehensive wind and solar energy legislation can we ensure that the benefits of these industries are maximized while minimizing concerns and negative impacts, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future for our province.

We urge the government to prioritize the development and implementation of this legislation to address the urgent need for responsible and inclusive renewable energy development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

**Please note you do not have to donate to sign this petition. ANy donations made on this site will go to Change.org**