Over the past several years, the CPA has advocated for propane to be afforded a level playing field with natural gas and recently promoted the Propane Advantage to government and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).
In January 2019, earlier this year, the Ford government began implementing natural gas expansion projects launched by the former Wynne government. The Natural Gas Expansion Program promised investment of nearly $100 million to support projects in northern, rural and First Nations Ontario communities. Ten projects were identified and two of these were announced this year. The first, in Chatham-Kent, totaling nearly $8 million; and the second, in Fenelon Falls, representing $12.3 million in funding.
Previous successful intervention of the CPA at the OEB resulted in a determination that all provincial ratepayers do not have to bear the cost of these regionally specific natural gas expansion projects. The Board determined that only new natural gas consumers would pay for these conversions. Subsequently, members have informed the CPA about consumer complaints and natural gas providers’ communications containing misleading or inadequate information on the Fenelon Falls project. The CPA has raised this issue with ministers responsible who indicated they were unaware of such information being communicated regarding the cost of these conversions.
The CPA has also directed its legal counsel to lodge a formal complaint to the OEB regarding possible non-compliance or submission of misleading information by Enbridge Gas for the Fenelon Falls natural gas expansion project. On July 12, the CPA sent a formal letter of complaint to the OEB requesting an inquiry be conducted on this issue. The Association also sent copies of the complaint to key Ontario ministers and MPPs.
The CPA encourages members to raise this issue with their local representatives, at any available opportunity, and has provided a template letter for this purpose. Members will continue to be apprised of any new developments on this concern.
Please find attached the CPA’s letter to the OEB, the consumer complaint, and the template complaint letter for you to consult and use.