Three southern Bruce County mayors had the opportunity to testify before the Ontario Energy Board about expanding natural gas to the region.
The mayors of Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Arran-Elderslie appeared before the generic hearing this week to support plans to establish new rules to facilitate expansion. They their accomplishments over the past six years in working to bring natural gas to the southern Bruce region.
The mayors all feel optimistic that the Ontario Energy Board will make a decision later this summer or fall.
The three municipalities have given the rights to establish natural gas in their area to Epcor, however, Union Gas also has expressed a desire to serve the region.
Epcor hopes to begin work on the $100-million project by next year, and will cover the cost of new infrastructure.
Union Gas is seeking approval from the OEB to run 300 km of pipeline in the area at a cost of $88-million.
Union Gas believes their proposal is superior because it offers a significant reduction in energy cost over the long term while offering the lowest natural gas rates of any Ontario utility.
And Union Gas says their plan does not rely on a $230-million funding commitment from the province.
The company also promises to minimize the effects of the projects on the environment.