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July 2018: Village Initiative Begins Mayor John Rimmer approaches a renewable energy proponent to explore solar development in Caroline for economic benefits; residents not informed or consulted.
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September 18, 2018: MOU Signed Village Council executes Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with proponent for solar energy project, marking official start without public knowledge.
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April 17, 2019: Land Lease Agreement PACE Canada LP enters Lease/Option agreement with landowners Germaine and Bob Roper for 80 acres within village boundaries.
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~2017 (Prior Proposal) Another company proposes solar project five years before PACE buys them out and steps in (mentioned in 2022 media).
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November 22, 2022: Public Announcement Red Deer Advocate reports PACE's 14 MW project on 57 acres, endorsed by Mayor Rimmer for tax relief; early support framed as long-awaited economic boost.
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2023: AUC Application Filed PACE Bang Energy LP submits AUC application (Proceeding 28295) for 14.67-16.1 MW solar farm on NE Quarter, Section 14, Twp 36, Rge 6, W5M; Caroline Concerned Citizens Group (CCCG) forms with 118 members opposing.
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September 15, 2023: Public Notice Issued AUC issues public notice; early consultations begin, but flaws in developer-led PIP (Rule 007) emerge.
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February 8, 2024: Application Paused AUC places application in abeyance due to inadequate personal consultations under Rule 007, a win for locals.
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2023-2024: Amalgamation Negotiations Village of Caroline and Clearwater County negotiate amalgamation (study funded 2020, approved Dec 5, 2024), effective Jan 1, 2025, complicating project oversight.
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July 29, 2024: Hearing Scheduled PACE submits revised consultations; AUC sets Nov 18-22, 2024, hearing; UCP MLA Jason Nixon voices support for locals.
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November 18-22, 2024: AUC Hearing Virtual/in-person hearing with CCCG testimony on impacts; FortisAlberta confirms grid feasibility.
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January 1, 2025: Amalgamation Effective Caroline becomes hamlet in Clearwater County; project oversight shifts, adding municipal opposition layer.
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February 28, 2025: Conditional AUC Approval (Decision 28295-D01-2025) AUC approves with mitigations (e.g., 40m setbacks), but RACCG (evolved from CCCG) awarded $238k intervention costs (unpaid).
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March 14, 2025: RACCG Review Request Russell Barnett on behalf of RACCG (188 members) requests review/reconsideration of approval, citing UCP violations and public opposition disregard.
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March 19-20, 2025: Community Meeting 150+ residents protest approval at packed hall; CTV News covers "We aren't anti-solar" sentiment.
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March 25, 2025: Political Pushback MLA Nixon urges AUC reconsideration; residents petition Energy Minister Brian Jean.
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April 7, 2025: Clearwater County Rejection County council rejects project post-amalgamation, seeking legal consultation for AUC review under Rule 016.
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April 22, 2025: PACE Response to Review PACE (via DLA Piper's Marlé Riley) opposes RACCG's review application (Proceeding 29924, Application 29924-A001), arguing no errors or changed circumstances.
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May 28-29, 2025: AUC Enforcement Notice AUC issues non-compliance to PACE for unpaid $238k costs to RACCG.
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August 27, 2025: Review Denied (Decision 29924-D01-2025) AUC denies RACCG's review, upholding approval despite amalgamation and opposition evidence.
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September 1, 2025: Appeal to Minister Dan Williams Barnett sends urgent letter to Municipal Affairs Minister requesting overruling of AUC decisions, citing UCP "agriculture first" breaches.
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September 14, 2025: Media Coverage on Appeal Western Standard reports RACCG's demand for Williams to intervene, amplifying policy violations.
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Ongoing (2025+): Continued Resistance Await Williams response; project delayed to potential 2026 construction; monitor UCP/EELUVA updates for pauses.
