Reports of province phasing out natural gas is confusing to mayors of Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Arran-Elderslie

Reports that the Ontario government plans to phase out the use of natural gas and force people to switch to electric heat, is confusing news to the mayors of Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Arran-Elderslie who have been working to bring natural gas to this area.

A story in Monday's "Globe and Mail," based on a leaked climate change plan, outlines how the province intends to spend $7-billion over the next four years to drastically reduce Ontario's carbon footprint. The plan calls for phasing out the use of natural gas for heating and providing incentives for people to purchase electric vehicles.

"I am just going to say that this is confusing for the Township of Huron-Kinloss, the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie and the Municipality of Kincardine," said Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie. "The premier's mandate letters to her ministers after the last election indicated that getting natural gas service to rural areas was important."

She said the province also announced a $200-million loan and a $30-million grant to support natural gas to rural areas.

"We will be proceeding with our efforts, as planned, after the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) generic hearing decision," said Eadie. "The OEB decision will outline the parameters for the natural gas expansion to areas in rural Ontario that currently do not have access."

The three mayors were part of a six-person Southern Bruce witness panel, testifying at the OEB hearing Monday, May 9. They described the approach the municipalities have taken over the past six years with the goal of bringing natural gas to Southern Bruce.

A Municipal Franchise Agreement has been approved and signed by all three municipalities, providing EPCOR Utilities Inc. of Edmonton, with the right to distribute natural gas within the three municipalities.