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Writer's pictureRTT Staff

Premier visits area to celebrate natural gas expansion project

Ford and other politicians pose at construction site .
Premier Doug Ford helped announce a $358 million Panhandle Regional Expansion project with Enbridge last week.

Premier Doug Ford was in Essex County last Friday to mark the start of a natural gas expansion project.


The Ontario government marks the start of construction by Enbridge Gas on its $358 million Panhandle Regional Expansion Project. The project is expected to secure approximately 7,000 jobs and enable $4.5 billion of investment opportunities in the province.


“Our government is continuing to secure the reliable and affordable energy that is critical to our plan to rebuild Ontario’s economy, keep costs down for families and build homes across the province,” said Ford. “This project will help deliver that reliable energy supply and, in the process, create good-paying jobs, support our world-leading greenhouse sector and power Ontario’s economic growth for many years to come.”


The province says this project will lead to the construction of approximately 19 kilometers of new pipeline that will parallel the existing pipeline and increase the capacity of Enbridge’s Panhandle Transmission System.


“A continued priority for our government is delivering affordable energy to Ontario families,” said Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce. "Our population is growing, and the economy is electrifying, which underscores why our government is determined to generate more clean and reliable energy to drive our growth. The Panhandle Transmission System is a vital part of that vision as it helps to ensure that families and businesses across Southwestern Ontario have access to affordable power now and into the future, while creating 7,000 good paying jobs.”


The new pipeline will also help supply the electricity generation needed to meet the province’s growing energy demands, due to increasing electrification, strong population and economic growth.


“Southwestern Ontario is a great place to both live and work, and it is seeing huge economic and population growth. With that growth comes the need for more energy of all types to power the success of industries in the region,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries. “This new investment in natural gas energy expansion will enable the rapid continued growth of our world-leading greenhouse industry in Southwestern Ontario and strengthen the province’s agri-food sector.”


The Panhandle Regional Expansion Project is part of Ontario’s efforts to meet the province’s growing energy demands, the province stated in a news release.


"Enbridge Gas is committed to meeting the energy needs of Southwestern Ontario. Through the expansion of the Panhandle system and increased access to energy at the Enbridge Gas Dawn Hub, we are proud to support the region's growth by providing reliable and affordable energy to residential, commercial, and industrial customers,” said Michele Harradence, EVP and President, Enbridge Gas Distribution & Storage. “This major natural gas project reflects our dedication to serving the community and powering the progress of Ontario's southwest region."


Ford’s visit also included stops at manufacturing facilities in the Leamington area. Essex MPP Anthony Leardi – who was part of the tour with Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones and Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie – said they already were hearing from companies thrilled with the news. Leardi added the news means jobs for the region.


“It’s really an important project,” the Essex MPP stated.


Leardi added they learned on their tour that the amount of food exports from Ontario has now surpassed $25 billion per year. He added the Progressive Conservatives wants to expand natural gas availability in Ontario.

Premier visits area to celebrate natural gas expansion project

By RTT Staff

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