WHEREAS, Phases 1 and 2 of the Ontario Natural Gas Expansion Program have allocated over $360 million to expand access to natural gas for families and businesses in 59 communities across the province;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris was not successful in Phase 1 and 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program and therefore its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan includes ongoing efforts to obtain natural gas;
AND WHEREAS due to overwhelming demand from communities, businesses and municipalities, Ontario's 2022 Provincial Budget committed to moving forward with Phase 3 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program. Ontario will begin consulting this fall on how best to deliver Phase 3 of the program and the Municipality of East Ferris has expressed to the Ministry of Energy interest in being part of the consultation and also applying to Phase 3;
AND WHEREAS with new investments in electric vehicles and clean energy, the thirst for electricity is leading to reports by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) that the current bulk power transmission system will not be sufficient to safely meet the energy transfer requirements of projected demand growth from 2029 onwards. That is why Ontario is investing in energy innovations, including renewable natural gas, and pilot projects such as dual heating systems combining ground source heat pumps and natural gas. There is also increased focus on energy conservation;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris seeks to engage in a broader review of future energy opportunities in the community;
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council for the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris directs staff to engage with Enbridge Inc. in a cost-benefit analysis related to connecting East Ferris to existing natural gas pipelines via the following route options or a combination of:
- Centennial Crescent
- Highway 94
- Derland Road
- Lake Nosbonsing Road
FURTHER THAT the analysis focus on cost per customer, number of customers, displacement of higher carbon fuels, economic growth opportunities, and opportunities to apply natural gas-related innovations to East Ferris;
AND FURTHER THAT a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, Minister of Energy Todd Smith, and Enbridge Inc. representatives Chris Minor, Ahmed Al-Amry, Liane Seguin, and Kristen Oliver.