Northern Ontario mayors speak out over loss of natural gas pipeline loans

Johnnny

Frontiersman
Jun 8, 2007
9,388
124
63
Third rock from the Sun
Natural Gas Access Loans aimed to help build natural gas lines in small communities on north shore

Premier Kathleen Wynne might be getting the freeze from northern Ontario mayors and CAOs after the government announced it would cancel a program designed to offer loans for natural gas pipelines along the Highway 17 corridor between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.

Leaders of the affected communities were quick to denounce the cuts in a press release Monday, saying the entire gas program is now "in jeopardy."

"Today's announcement effectively shrinks a $230 million commitment, $200 million in loans and $30 million in grants, to a $100 million grant," Wawa CAO Chris Wray said.

"We had a business plan to repay money that the government is now taking away."

Wray said they had been working for over two years with Northeast Midstream — a Toronto-based group that focuses on expanding natural gas service — on plans for the distribution network.

The Natural Gas Access Loan program was rolled out in Ontario's 2016 budget to assist the communities of Marathon, Schreiber, Manitouwadge, Terrace Bay and Wawa — areas currently not served by natural gas.

The mayors estimated that homeowners and businesses already pay up to four times more for space and water heating than other parts of Ontario.

According to the press release, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation anticipated more than $6 million a year in savings after the network's completion.

Manitouwadge Mayor Andy Major said the reduced funding means residents in the north will likely feel the pinch.

"There are limited alternatives for communities in the north, and many homeowners and businesses struggle with energy costs, " Major said, adding that "a solution to make living in the north more affordable was presented to this government and is being ignored once again."

Superior North MPP defends program changes

The changes to the subsidization of natural gas projects in Ontario are being defended by the Liberal MPP that represents the north shore region.

In a written statement to CBC News, Michael Gravelle said that offering grants — which communities don't have to pay back — rather than loans will bring "meaningful expansion" of natural gas in Ontario, adding that under the changes, money available through grants will rise from $30 million to $100 million.

"Our government will continue to work with local municipalities as to how the expanded grant program can work for them," Gravelle was quoted as saying in the statement.

Gravelle added that municipalities and First Nations communities will be able to work with utilities to bring forward project proposals to be considered for funding, and that the program will be launched in the spring.

Northern Ontario mayors speak out over loss of natural gas pipeline loans - Thunder Bay - CBC News
 

Johnnny

Frontiersman
Jun 8, 2007
9,388
124
63
Third rock from the Sun
With Hydro being as nuts as it is, who can afford the loan for the gas hook-up?


Hydro One employee, contractor charged in hydro theft - Sudbury - CBC News

A 71-year-old Gogama man and a 51-year old Timmins man have been charged with theft after stealing power from businesses and homes near Timmins, provincial police said.

One man was employed by Hydro One, and the other was a contractor with the company.

Police said they received reports of power theft from Hydro One in the areas of Gogama, Foleyet and Timmins in early January.

Hydro one said in a release that the two men allegedly stole power by installing meter bypass devices.

"Hydro One has zero tolerance for unethical and criminal behaviour," Rick Haier, chief security officer of Hydro One said in a statement.

"We intend to use the full powers of our investigative team to get to the bottom of this case and any other potential cases of power theft."

Police said both individuals are scheduled to appear at a Timmins court in April 11.

The investigation is continuing.
 

lone wolf

Grossly Underrated
Nov 25, 2006
32,493
210
63
In the bush near Sudbury
I bet there's a lot of that going on. There's a big tree out on the road here that you can almost read a newspaper by the light of spark jumping to branch on a damp evening - a big chunk of delivery fee - and though reported many times, the coffee's still fresh at Timmies