A new $230-million loan and grant program in development by the provincial government will expand natural gas access in under-serviced areas.
Minister of Economic Development, Infrastructure, and Jobs Brad Duguid made the announcement at a Leamington greenhouse this morning. "We want to be careful that we're not investing tax payer dollars in a program that is going to help Enbridge and Union Gas do what they would have done in the first place."
Steve Enns is a third generation greenhouse farmer, who had his gas interrupted eight times this winter. "In the winter time the capacity is not quite there to get us as much gas as we need when it's extremely cold."
Duguid says the specifics of the program are still being worked on. He expects more details to be released later this year.