Construction Begins on Bobcaygeon Natural Gas Expansion Project

Province delivering affordable home heating to families and businesses  

BOBCAYGEON — Today, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification and Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes and Brock marked the start of construction on the Bobcaygeon natural gas expansion project that will bring affordable home heating to the community.

“Our government’s foremost priority is providing affordable energy to Ontarians, and this announcement will connect more people in our province to reliable and affordable home heating,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “I want to congratulate the Bobcaygeon community who will benefit from this new line, that will also attract new economic opportunities, bringing new jobs and investments to this region.”

Ontario is expanding access to natural gas in rural, northern Ontario and Indigenous communities, including the Bobcaygeon project to secure affordable energy for residents. Construction has begun by Enbridge Gas to bring new natural gas pipeline into the community.

According to estimations by Enbridge Gas, households in Bobcaygeon could save up to 50 per cent in energy costs a year as they switch from costlier fuel sources, and businesses can save up to 30 per cent. When completed, this project could connect approximately 3,700 customers to natural gas, including an estimated 2,300 newly built homes and businesses as well as 1,300 existing households and businesses. In June 2021, the government announced $68 million in funding for this project.

“This is great news for people in Bobcaygeon,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “Making progress on projects like this one shows that our government is fulfilling its commitments to keep costs down, while making rural communities a better place to live and work.”

Through Phase 1 and 2 of Ontario’s Natural Gas Expansion Program, more than $281 million is being allocated to expand natural gas access to families and businesses in 59 communities across the province. Due to overwhelming demand from communities, businesses and municipal councils, Ontario will begin consulting this fall on how to best deliver Phase 3 of the program.

QUICK FACTS:

• Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program will allocate more than $226 million to support 28 new natural gas expansion projects, which are expected to be underway by the end of 2025.
• Two Phase 2 expansion projects will directly benefit Indigenous communities, specifically the Red Rock First Nation and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation.
• Since its launch in 2019, Phase 1 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program has supported projects that are forecast to connect over 9,000 customers, in 16 communities, to natural gas.
• Phase 1 and 2 projects are funded through a $1-per-month charge to existing natural gas customers.

QUOTES

“Enbridge Gas is thrilled to start construction of the Bobcaygeon community expansion project, bringing cost-effective and resilient natural gas to more than 3,600 homes and businesses in the area,” said Brian Johnson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Enbridge Gas Ontario Inc. “For more than 175 years, we’ve been committed to providing Ontarians with the energy they need and want; the Bobcaygeon project reflects our dedication to serving the community, providing customers with choice, and powering Ontario’s economy and growth.”

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Brings Natural Gas to 43 Communities with Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program
• Natural Gas Expansion Support Program

MEDIA CONTACTS
Isha Chaudhuri
Minister Lecce’s Office
Isha.Chaudhuri@ontario.ca

William Hume
Office of MPP Laurie Scott
William.hume@pc.ola.org