A proposed natural gas project in Lambton county, estimated to cost upwards of $250 million, officially has the backing of county council.
Enbridge Gas received unanimous support for its Dawn Corunna Project when council agreed to endorse a letter to the company Wednesday morning.
During a virtual presentation, Enbridge Director of Gas Storage and Pipeline Operations Wes Armstrong told councillors the purpose for the project.
"In order to maintain the safe and reliable operation of our system and to continue meeting the natural gas needs of our customers, we're replacing some of our older natural gas storage and transmission assets at the St. Clair Township area, specifically at the Corunna Compressor Station."
Armstrong said the project includes the decommissioning of seven of 11 natural gas compressors in Corunna. The second component of the project is the construction of a roughly 19 kilometer long natural gas pipeline between the Corunna station and the Dawn Operation Centre.
"The benefit of this route is the minimal distance, and because it would be installed in an existing private easement where possible -- this would be the third pipeline that would run through the area."
Armstrong said due to the scope of the project, Ontario Energy Board approval is needed before construction can begin. He said council's letter, which will be submitted to the OEB, will certainly demonstrate the support and need for the project locally.
Armstrong added that if the project is approved, it will be an economic driver for the community.
"The estimated project cost at this time is between $200-$250 million. Temporary local construction jobs will be created by the project -- we estimate roughly 300 to 400 jobs at peak -- and Enbridge Gas will source local materials, goods and services wherever possible."
Enbridge plans to submit an application for the project to the OEB this month. If approved, construction would begin in early 2023 and be completed by the end of 2024. Pre-construction work would begin in early 2022.