Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced that approximately 67 homes and businesses in Merrickville-Wolford will be able to connect to natural gas for the first time thanks to the Natural Gas Expansion Program.
Under Phase 2 of the program, Ontario will allocate $2,465,037 to support new connections to the natural gas distribution system. “I’m pleased that our government is continuing to expand natural gas pipelines to deliver affordable energy to more communities in our region,” said MPP Clark.
It is expected that increased access to natural gas will help more families and businesses find energy savings, while promoting economic development and job creation across Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.
The Ontario government is expanding access to natural gas across the province in what it calls, “an effort to 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 8750 connections in 43 rural, northern and Indigenous communities.
The government announced that 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.
Cynthia Hansen, Executive Vice President and President of Gas Distribution and Storage for Enbridge Inc, said ” We are thrilled that the Government of Ontario selected these projects, and look forward to working together with the province and local municipalities to continue to bring natural gas to more Ontario homes and businesses.”
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