Whereas Council wishes to submit a letter of comment in relation to Enbridge Gas Inc.’s Rate Rebasing Application Phase 2;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Council of the City of North Bay authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter to the Ontario Energy Board on behalf of The Corporation.
June 19, 2024 Sent via email to: Registrar@oeb.ca
Ontario Energy Board
2300 Yonge Street, 27th floor
P.O. Box 2319
Toronto, ON M4P 1E4
Attention: OEB registrar
Dear Sir/Madam:
Re: Securing access to natural gas for Ontario’s future
On behalf of the Council of The Corporation of the City of North Bay, I am submitting a letter of comment on Enbridge Gas Inc.’s Rate Rebasing Application Phase 2 (EB-2024-0111).
The Council of The Corporation of the City of North Bay applauds the work the Government of Ontario has done to continue to advance access to affordable energy and propel economic growth, including the Natural Gas Expansion Program and the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act.
The Council of The Corporation of the City of North Bay supports a measured approach to Ontario’s energy transition; one that leverages existing natural gas infrastructure and invests in lower-carbon alternatives such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen – in addition to building incremental electricity supply.
An integrated approach to Ontario’s energy transition, where pipes and wires work together, will ensure Ontario maintains an energy system that is resilient and cost-effective while supporting the province’s decarbonization efforts.
The Council of The Corporation of the City of North Bay recognizes that growing communities and new developments have growing energy needs, to support housing developments, new businesses, community centres, hospitals, schools, greenhouses, grain dryers and industrial parks – and all Ontarians benefit from this growth.
Municipalities are planning for immense future growth and need assurance that affordable, resilient natural gas will be available to support economic and community development – this energy certainty is crucial, as is preserving customer choice.
Natural gas meets 40 percent of Ontario’s energy needs, plays a critical role in Ontario's energy evolution, and supports the reliability of Ontario’s electricity system. We would like to ensure that hearings like this represent municipal voices and priorities like our own on the need for natural gas and natural gas infrastructure to support the province’s diversified energy mix.
Sincerely,
The Corporation of the City of North Bay
Peter Chirico,
Mayor
CC: Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Hon. Todd Smith, the Minister of Energy
President of AMO, Colin Best
municipalaffairs@enbridge.com.
MPP Victor Fedeli
Federation of Northen Ontario Municipalities