Union Gas reviewing OEB decision on expansion of natural gas to new communities

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has issued a new regulatory framework for the expansion of natural gas service to rural, northern and First Nation communities.

In a press release, Andrea Stass, manager, external communications and media relations for Union Gas, states that expanding natural gas service to new communities will deliver desperately-needed relief to high energy bills in these areas and that’s why Union Gas has been leading the way over the past three years with policymakers and other stakeholders to see a new framework come to life. 

"Upon initial review, we feel that the new framework will enable expansion of gas to a number of communities," says Stass. "However, the costs to customers in those communities will be higher than under Union Gas’ proposal, and the number of communities we can expand to, may be limited."
 
She states that it's important to note that the decision confirms that the OEB, and not individual municipalities, will evaluate future project proposals under this new framework in an open, public process, to determine which projects are in the best interest of the community.
 
"We are reviewing the decision in detail to determine the specific community expansion proposals we will move forward with under this new framework."

The OEB decision, released Thursday (Nov. 17), is based on the generic proceeding on community expansion held back in May. Among the parties making presentations at this hearing, were the South Bruce communities of Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Arran-Elderslie, and EPCOR which has signed a natural gas municipal franchise agreement with these three municipalities.

No statement has been issued yet by the South Bruce communities or EPCOR.

To read the entire OEB decision, click here.