The following was received from MPP Yakabuski on June 10:
Today, John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke announced that approximately 674 homes and businesses in Eganville will be able to connect to natural gas for the first time thanks to the province’s Natural Gas Expansion Program.
Under Phase 2 of the program, Ontario will allocate $26,169,413 to support new connections to the natural gas distribution system and help make life more affordable in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.
“Our government is making good on its promise to deliver affordable energy and expand natural gas pipelines to more communities,” said MPP John Yakabuski. “Access to natural gas will help more families and businesses find energy savings, while promoting economic development and job creation across Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.”
The Ontario government is expanding access to natural gas across the province to help keep the cost of energy low for families, businesses and farmers. Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program will allocate more than $234 million to support approximately 8,750 connections in 43 rural, northern and Indigenous communities.
The average household could save between $250 to $1,500 per year in energy costs by switching to natural gas from costlier fuel sources. Businesses are expected to save up to 30 per cent per year on energy costs.
“This is excellent news for the residents of the Village of Eganville for those that want a clean, more affordable heating system,” said Jennifer Murphy, Mayor of Bonnechere Valley. “This is an enormous investment by Enbridge Gas and the Government of Ontario and will significantly benefit the people living in the Ottawa Valley with stronger infrastructure as our communities continue to grow.”
Construction for projects under Phase 2 will begin as soon as this year, with all 28 expansion projects expected to be underway by the end of 2025.
QUICK FACTS
- Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program will allocate more than $234 million to support 28 new natural gas expansion projects from 2021 to 2026.
- Since its launch in 2019, Phase 1 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program has supported projects that are forecasted to connect over 9,000 customers, in 16 communities, to natural gas.
- Phase 1 and 2 projects are funded through a $1-per-month charge to existing natural gas customers.
Ferizovic,R.(2021,June10) MPP Yakabuski Announces Natural Gas Expansion in Eganville – Province makes life more affordable for families, businesses and farmers [media release]
Btw Mr Y, would it be possible to persuade Go Transit to extend one of its bus runs daily from Peterborough to Ottawa via Hwy 28, Hwy 62, Hwy 60, and Hwy 17/417 (Peterborough, Bancroft, Maynooth, Combermere, Barry’s Bay, Killaloe, Pembroke, Arnprior, and Ottawa)? Another possibility would be an Ontario Northland daily route between Huntsville and Ottawa via Hwy 60 and 17/417. My imagination runneth wild as I dream of bus routes!
Natural gas certainly is a lot cheaper than propane and even fuel oil but it’s not really practical in the more remote areas. Perhaps the provincial government should also help promote modern low-emissions (smokeless) wood-fired boilers from Europe in the more remote communities which burn firewood, wood pellets, and wood chips. This would also greatly boost the local forest industry and generate new jobs. It’s also something which Mr Yakabuski could more directly promote through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry of which he is the Minister. Readers interested in exploring “space-age” wood-fuel technology should check out Biothermic at https://biothermic.ca/ and you can even arrange to see working units in person at their branch office in Haliburton.