Media statement by the Ontario Natural Gas Alliance

TORONTO, May 18, 2016 /CNW/ - The report of the Government of Ontario's proposal to spend $1.32 Billion to switch homes heated by natural gas to electric heating is ill-conceived and prohibitively expensive.

The Ontario Natural Gas Alliance (ONGA) is a partner in Ontario's low carbon future that combats climate change. The industry has made collaborative and cost-effective proposals to meet Ontario's emission reduction targets including increased conservation spending, moving to more renewable natural gas, and using natural gas in medium- and heavy-duty trucking. However, using Cap and Trade proceeds to switch Ontarians to electric heat would be disruptive and will not allow us to achieve our emission reduction goals.

Ontarians should continue to have choice, and not be forced to adapt a single electric solution for home heating—one that will entail expensive equipment costs upfront and is six times more expensive to operate than natural gas.

Bottom line: Ontario households will pay up to $3,000 more each and every year to heat their homes if this policy proceeds.

Jamie Ellerton
Spokesperson, Ontario Natural Gas Alliance

About ONGA

The Ontario Natural Gas Alliance (ONGA) is a partnership between two of Ontario's leading natural gas distribution companies, Enbridge Gas Distribution and Union Gas. ONGA was created to help the public understand the vital role natural gas can play in Ontario's future-forward clean energy mix. ONGA is dedicated to education around the many positive attributes of natural gas, including its affordability, cleanliness and potential to fuel an economic revitalization that will create jobs and expand Ontario's economy.  For more information, please visit: www.cleanandaffordable.ca.

SOURCE Ontario Natural Gas Alliance