Updated March 28, 2024
City Council Supports residents not Enbridge
The City of Guelph passed a motion March 26 urging the provincial government to support the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to end subsidies for gas hookups for new homes.
Guelph is joined by other communities passing similar motions including: Hamilton, Kingston, Whitby, Severn, Lake of Bays, County of Prince Edward, and Pelham. And there are more to come.
While there is reason to celebrate that Council is on side, it was dissapointing that the decision was not unanimous. This is how the motion played out at Guelph City Council: Guelph Politico: It Was a Gas! (note that you might have to click on “No Thanks” to proceed)
This isn’t over yet as the Ontario government has introduced legislation that would reverse that OEB decision in spite of the concerns of municipalities. This would force existing gas customers to pay $600 over five years to subsidize Enbridge and developers.
Stay tuned for more as we see other municipalitiies get on board and how things play out at Queens Park.
Background
The Ontario Energy Board1 rejected Enbridge’s request that existing customers subsidize gas connections to new buildings for developers.
Then the Ontario government introduced legislation that would reverse that OEB decision. This would force existing gas customers to pay $600 over five years to subsidize Enbridge and developers.
At the City Council meeting on March 26 a motion to support the original OEB decision (putting the burden on Enbridge and developers) will be discussed at City Hall.
However, we understand there are also draft motions from Enbridge and Developers to support the Government position that existing gas customers should subsidize their new gas connections.
In its decision the OEB said that Enbridge’s proposal would:
- increase costs to existing customers,
- spread even higher costs over a diminishing customer base as households decarbonize their homes through efficiency, conservation and of course switching to heat pumps.
And from our perspective, it would be contrary to climate action that needs to be taken.
Enbridge contunues lobbying municipalities across Ontario to support putting the cost on existing customers rather than developers.
Recently the Guelph & District Home Builders Association (GDBHA) sent a letter and draft motion to City Council asking them to support the Enbridge position.
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Here’s how thin
Draft Motion
Draft Motion for City Council Meeting March 26 – Supporting OEB Decision to end natural gas subsidy.
OEB Decision and Order:
Media
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- Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is the independent regulator of Ontario’s electricity and natural gas sectors. It protects the interests of consumers and delivers public value that contributes to Ontario’s economic, social and environmental development.
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