Editor,
I am writing on behalf of Enbridge Gas in response to the letter to the editor published on April 5, 2024, titled “Thoughts About Bill 165” written by Melissa Tervit of Meaford. While we appreciate the author’s perspective, we would like to provide some additional information on the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) rebasing decision and its impact on Enbridge Gas users and taxpayers.
There appears to be confusion regarding the rebasing decision and its impact.
A quote from the article says, “If passed, this bill would allow Enbridge to spread the costs of new gas infrastructure across all ratepayers, potentially increasing costs for everyone”. This is simply not true and sharing misleading and inaccurate information could have damaging ramifications.
Enbridge Gas abides by an existing OEB regulation, that protects existing natural gas customers from the cost of expanding the natural gas system and ensures costs are appropriately borne by the customers who will benefit from the new infrastructure. This regulation allows the cost to connect to the natural gas system to be spread over a defined period, which has historically been 40 years.
Amidst a housing and affordability crisis in Ontario, it is critical to consider the impact that the Ontario Energy Board’s decision will have for families looking to purchase a new home. This ruling could compel them to bear an additional cost of $4,400 for natural gas connections upfront.
We commend Minister Smith and the Government of Ontario for advancing this legislation and advocating for affordable energy. The Keeping Energy Costs Down Act strongly signals that natural gas is critical to Ontario as it fuels economic growth, reduces industrial emissions, and heats homes. This is not a surprise as recent studies by IESO, the Canada Energy Regulator, and the province’s Electrification and Energy Transition report all emphasize the long-term importance of natural gas as a critical and foundational energy source.
Natural gas provides almost 40 percent of the total energy Ontarians use each year at a quarter of the cost of electricity. It is the backbone of the province’s heavy industries that require intense heat that only natural gas can provide.
We encourage all Ontarians to become familiar with the facts and impacts of this OEB decision. For more information, please visit enbridgegas.com/natural-gas-matters. The stakes are high for affordable, reliable, accessible, and sustainable energy in Ontario.
We appreciate the opportunity to provide further information on this topic and would be happy to share additional details if needed.
Sincerely,
Leanne McNaughton, Supervisor, External Communications and Media Relations, Enbridge Gas
