MPP Park Announces First Customers Connected to Natural Gas on Scugog Island

SCUGOG: Lindsey Park, MPP for Durham, announced by video, on December 18th, the Scugog Island Project, supported by the Ontario government’s Natural Gas Expansion Program, has connected its first customers to natural gas.

“Finally, natural gas meters are spinning and residents and businesses on Scugog Island are connecting to affordable natural gas to heat their homes and run their businesses,” said MPP Park. “This work has continued during the pandemic, to enable local customers to save money now and into the future, [by] switching to natural gas from other costlier sources.”

The Scugog Island Project has connected 16 customers to natural gas for the 2020 heating season, and an estimated 780 homes and 30 businesses will be connected by the time the project is completed.

“This is great news for households and businesses on Scugog Island,” said Bill Walker, Associate Minister for Energy. “Making progress on projects like this shows our government is fulfilling its commitments to putting more money in people’s pockets, and to making rural and Indigenous communities more attractive for job creation.”

Ontario is expanding access to natural gas, throughout rural and northern Ontario and in Indigenous communities throughout the province. The government intends to announce decisions on future expansion projects, during Phase 2 of the Natural Gas Expansion Program in early 2021.

“Congratulations to those who are among the first to receive access to natural gas on Scugog Island,” said Chief Kelly LaRocca, Mississaugas of the Scugog Island First Nation. “We are excited by the long-term prospects of this initiative and the opportunity it brings to the community.”

“We are very pleased to hear that the first customers on Scugog Island have been connected to natural gas,” said Bobbie Drew, Mayor of the Township of Scugog. “For many years, council advocated for better community services, like the expansion of natural gas to provide affordable services and modern choices for our rural residents. Natural gas will bring many benefits to our community and to our neighbours, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, in the form of lower energy prices for all residents, as well as in the removal of a local economic barrier for the community. It is a welcomed enhancement for all residents.” “I’m honoured to welcome our first Scugog Island community expansion project customers to Enbridge Gas. They’re joining the 3.8 million Ontario homes and businesses that enjoy the benefits natural gas has to offer, this heating season, and into the future,” said Cynthia Hansen, Executive Vice President & President, Gas Distribution & Storage, Enbridge Inc. “Our new customers are connecting to the comfort of knowing their energy choice is an affordable, safe and reliable fuel source that’s part of Ontario’s low-carbon future.”

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