Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope and Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara strongly urge the Government of Ontario to provide clarity on the future of natural gas as a viable energy resource for Ontarians, as proposed changes threaten to sideline the much needed expansion of natural gas to rural Southwestern Ontario residents and businesses, and puts communities at a competitive disadvantage for future investments.
The Provincial Government has refuted an all-out ban on natural gas, however Premier Kathleen Wynne has not publicly denounced the details outlined in the leaked Climate Change Action Plan suggesting building codes will require new homes and buildings be off natural gas as of 2030, and all homes and buildings before 2050.
Mayors Hope and McNamara foresee these restrictions, and the uncertainty this plan has created for future investments in infrastructure expansion, as having devastating effects on homeowners, businesses and economic growth in their communities.
“We value the reliability, affordability and sustainability of natural gas to my community and we should not be put in a position where we are being asked or forced to replace it with more expensive, electricity-driven options. That dynamic would be bad for my community, our municipality and our greater regional economy,” said Mayor McNamara, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Both Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent have played a major role in the Province’s overall Climate Change Mitigation Strategy, allowing it to shut down all the coal-fired generation facilities.
The municipalities have made significant investments – both in the public and private sector – in Ontario’s green energy initiatives, including with solar installations, wind turbines, LED streetlight conversion and new planning standards to reduce the overall carbon footprint.
“We need to be prudent and measured in our approach to Ontario’s energy plan to ensure both our economy and our environment are sustainable. We need to continue to move forward on the plans to expand natural gas to the rural residents of Ontario,” said Mayor Hope, Chair of Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus.
A press conference will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce (2575 Ouellette Place, Windsor, ON N8X 1L9), beginning at 11 a.m.
