Union Gas is drumming up support for its plans to expand a natural gas pipeline running through Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
The County of Essex is on board, recently approving a letter of support for the project.
District Manager for Windsor and Chatham Andrea Seguin expects to get more partners onside as it puts together its application to the Ontario Energy Board for approval.
"We've had a lot of strong support from the municipalities and it's really just for the greater good," says Seguin. "It really will help with the economic development in the area as well as just reinforcing our system."
Seguin doesn't expect Ontario's new cap and trade framework — meant to curb greenhouse gas emissions — to be a barrier for the project.
"I don't think so. We're hoping for a positive decision from the OEB. We definitely have the growth in the area that does justify reinforcement of our system, so that's something that the Ontario Energy Board definitely will consider," says Seguin.
At this point in the planning process, there isn't a dollar figure attached to the project or an expected number of new hires needed to complete the work.
Union Gas is looking to replace the existing 16" diameter pipe with a 36" diameter pipe to better handle the demand for natural gas.
