Premier Ford helps Enbridge break ground on $358M gas pipeline expansion in Leamington
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is shown at a press conference in Leamington on Friday, July 19, 2024. Enbridge Gas broke ground at the site of a new $358-million pipeline in Leamington. (MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star) Photo by Millar Holmes-Hill /Windsor Star
Helping address an increasing demand for affordable and reliable natural gas, Enbridge Gas on Friday broke ground at the site of a new $358-million pipeline in Leamington.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Energy and Electrification Minister Stephen Lecce joined Enbridge Gas officials to mark the beginning of construction on the Panhandle Regional Expansion Project.
“Our government is continuing to secure the reliable and affordable energy that is critical to our plan to rebuild Ontario’s economy, keep costs down for families and build homes across the province,” said Ford.
“This project will help deliver that reliable energy supply and, in the process, create good-paying jobs, support our world-leading greenhouse sector and power Ontario’s economic growth for many years to come.”
Premier Doug Ford speaks during a press conference in Leamington on Friday, July 19, 2024. (MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star) Photo by Millar Holmes-Hill /Windsor Star
The project is expected to generate around 7,000 jobs and $4.5 billion in new investment opportunities, according to the province.
“Southwestern Ontario is a great place to both live and work, and it is seeing huge economic and population growth,” said Energy-Intensive Industries Associate Minister Sam Oosterhoff.
“With that growth comes the need for more energy of all types to power the success of industries in the region,” he said. “This new investment in natural gas energy expansion will enable the rapid continued growth of our world-leading greenhouse industry in Southwestern Ontario and strengthen the province’s agri-food sector.”
The ceremony marked the start of construction of 19 kilometres of new pipeline that will parallel the existing Panhandle Pipeline.
Premier Doug Ford (left) is pictured with Energy and Electrification Minister Stephen Lecce at a press conference in Leamington on Friday, July 19, 2024. MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star Photo by Millar Holmes-Hill /Windsor Star
The new gas pipeline will be 36 inches in diameter and be located adjacent to an existing pipeline corridor between Richardson Side Road in Lakeshore and Enbridge Gas’s existing Dover Transmission Station in Chatham-Kent.
The expansion project has a targeted in-service date of Nov. 1 with additional construction related to the project to be completed in 2025.
The transmission system serves residential, commercial, industrial, and greenhouse customers across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
