TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/30/14 -- Enbridge Gas Distribution today announced that it has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to upgrade the backbone of its natural gas distribution system in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The GTA Project will provide upgrades to the natural gas distribution system that supplies natural gas to Brampton, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham and Toronto.
"We are pleased with the OEB's decision today as we believe this project will provide significant benefit to Enbridge Gas Distribution customers," said Glenn Beaumont, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "The project is designed to serve growth in the GTA, allow for continued system reliability, and provide access to lower cost natural gas supply."
Enbridge Gas Distribution's GTA system has not had a major upgrade for 20 years and in that time, the total number of Enbridge customers in our franchise has doubled from 1.1 million in 1992 to two million customers today.
The GTA Project has the potential to provide access to lower cost natural gas supply for the rest of Ontario and Quebec in conjunction with a coordinated infrastructure build by Union Gas and TransCanada Pipelines.
Enbridge Gas Distribution held nine public open houses throughout 2012 as part of its consultation process and will keep local communities updated throughout the construction phases of the project.
"As we move forward, we will continue to coordinate plans with local municipalities and will keep residents in the area updated regularly about our plans," Beaumont said. "We will work to minimize construction impacts and keep residents informed about any temporary construction activities in their community."
Construction is expected to begin in late 2014 and finish October 2015.
The new pipeline will be comprised of two separate segments (Segment A and B), and will be located mainly in existing utility corridors to minimize disruption in the community. The pipe will also be connected to an existing underground distribution system that delivers natural gas to homes and businesses in the GTA.
Segment A will be a 42-inch diameter pipeline that will be located within a designated utility corridor, immediately south of Highway 407. Segment A will travel from Parkway West at Derry Road and Highway 407, approximately 27 kilometres northeast to the existing Albion Station.
Segment B will be a 36-inch diameter pipeline that will begin in an existing utility corridor in the City of Vaughan at Keele Street, just south of Highway 407.
The pipe will travel approximately 23 kilometres in total -- east past Highway 404 to between Victoria Park and Warden Avenue, and then turn south and travel within a utility corridor to Sheppard Avenue East in the City of Toronto.
Two new pressure regulation facilities will connect the new pipelines to the existing system.
There will also be an upgrade made to an existing pressure regulation facility at Jonesville Station, located just north of Eglinton Avenue East near Jonesville Crescent.
For more information about the project, visit www.enbridgegas.com/GTAProject.
About Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Enbridge Gas Distribution delivers safe, reliable natural gas in more than 100 communities across Ontario and is a leader in promoting energy efficiency programs. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com.
Contacts:
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.
Chris Meyer
416-753-6626
chris.meyer@enbridge.com
www.enbridgegas.com
