Brockton's mayor is concerned after procedural delays forced EPCOR to withdraw its Ontario Energy Board application after push back against natural gas from environmental groups.
It means EPCOR will not be going forward with plans to connect customers in Brockton this year.
Mayor Chris Peabody said environmental groups are suggesting farmers turn to electricity for their grain drying needs, but local farmers he met at Grey Bruce Farmer's week disagreed.
"There isn't enough electricity out there. Many of the producers approached me after the meeting and said, 'we're using the propane for our grain dryer.' Sometimes there's not even enough electricity out in the grid in rural Ontario to run the motors, let alone the grain dryer," added Peabody. "The whole electric grid would have to be redone to do access these environmental groups are proposing about getting rid of natural gas."
In order to construct in 2024, millions of dollars in infrastructure would be required and without a clear indication of an approval this was not a fiscally viable decision. EPCOR has also seen a higher demand for natural gas services in the area than originally anticipated.
Brockton council is encouraging the provincial government to support quick approval of applications at the Ontario energy board to bring natural gas to local customers.
A motion from Councillor Kym Hutcheon was approved, calling natural gas necessary to help Brockton remain competitive with other municipalities and to support farmers.
Hutcheon is very frustrated that EPCOR Southern Bruce Gas was forced to delay plans to install natural gas pipelines for the area.
"As I'm sure many people in our community are that this has been derailed," she said. "I'm hoping that things will start moving and the project will go ahead and 2025 We need natural gas in rural Brockton."
Council agreed rural communities require equal services and opportunities for natural gas expansion to support economic development, residential growth, and access to reliable energy.
