Southern Bruce mayors testify at OEB natural gas hearing

Monday, the mayors of Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Arran-Elderslie appeared before the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) in connection with the board's Generic Hearing on Natural Gas Expansion in Ontario.

Sitting as part of a six-person Southern Bruce witness panel, were Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie, Huron-Kinloss mayor Mitch Twolan and Arran-Elderslie mayor Paul Eagleson.

The mayors described to the OEB the approach the municipalities have taken over the past six years with the goal of bringing natural gas to Southern Bruce.

They are optimistic that the OEB will make its decision later this summer or early fall to establish the new rules to facilitate natural gas expansion.

The three municipalities have signed an agreement with EPCOR Utilities Inc. of Edmonton, Alberta, giving the company the right to distribute natural gas within Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Arran-Elderslie.

Union Gas is also showing renewed interest in expanding its natural gas lines into the area.