Ontario expands access to natural gas
June 14, 2021 | By Maryam Farag
The Ontario government is expanding access to natural gas across the province to help keep the cost of energy low.
Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program will allocate over $234 million to support approximately 8750 connections in 43 rural, northern and Indigenous communities.
“Today we’re celebrating an important milestone in Ontario’s energy history with Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program,” said Doug Ford, Ontario Premier. “We’re making good on our promise to deliver affordable energy and expand natural gas pipelines to more communities, while at the same time improving economic development and creating thousands of new jobs.”
Phase 2 will support economic development in the Hamilton and Niagara areas with expansion projects planned for Grimsby-Lincoln and the Hamilton Airport and surrounding areas. The projects are expected to create approximately 5000 jobs within these communities.
“We’re sending a clear message that Ontario is open for business,” said Bill Walker, Associate Minister of Energy. “As part of our government’s plan to make life more affordable, we prioritized broad distribution across Ontario to help as many homes and businesses keep the cost of energy low, support jobs and attract new investment. This will be a game-changer for these 43 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 on energy costs per year.
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.
