Features Energy Procurement
Natural gas infrastructure a priority for rural Ontarians: survey

Ontario farmers who don’t have access to natural gas on the farm want the infrastructure in place to make it happen, according to a recent survey conducted by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

In a recent guest commentary, OFA president Mark Wales wrote:

“Over the last five years, the price of natural gas has dropped dramatically. Natural gas is nearly half the cost of electricity, and nearly one-third the cost of propane. While almost all Ontario cities have natural gas connection to homes and businesses, fewer than 20 per cent of Ontario farms have access to natural gas. This puts farms and towns without gas at a disadvantage, and hinders rural economic development because businesses are reluctant to set up shop in a community that depends on costly electric and oil heat.”

The survey found that for farms with lengthy lane ways, connecting to existing gas lines can cost up to $20,000 or more.

OFA’s natural gas survey was conducted online in March; more than 400 surveys were completed. Data gathered from the survey, and from other sources, will be used to bolster the case for improved natural gas infrastructure in rural Ontario.

Click here to read the full commentary.