February 28, 2016
1791
To the Editor:
RE: "Kincardine mayor concerned Union Gas proposal will cause public confusion"
I find it very strange and disturbing that Union Gas is operating open houses this coming week in the three communities that have engaged EPCOR Utilities Inc. to carry out the role of bringing natural gas to our communities.
I was involved for years on this project and disappointed that Union Gas was not able to provide a viable proposal.
The municipalities paid Union Gas thousands of dollars in the past to carry out a feasibility and costing study, in response to which Union offered to construct the lines at a cost of some $97-million - IF the municipalities DONATED $87-million. Union would contribute $10-million (10.3 per cent), BUT the company would own 100 per cent and retain all profits.
Not a viable financial alternative for our municipalities.
Union cited regulatory issues that would not allow the company to make it work for us. Subsequently, the municipalities moved forward and, through a legitimate process, engaged EPCOR to proceed with the project on what appears to be favourable terms for our residents.
That legitimate process allowed Union to participate, what its proposal was, if any, is not known to me. Obviously, our municipalities believe EPCOR is the better proposal, hence, EPCOR is being awarded the franchise rights.
Union should respect the process and not cause confusion with something it, apparently, cannot deliver.
Jim Prenger
Kincardine
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