Natural gas provides a…

Natural gas provides a stable and reliable energy supply, avoiding the intermittent blackouts that can affect electricity. This reliability is particularly critical for heavy industrial processes that demand consistent energy inputs.

Limited Alternatives for Hard-to-Electrify Sectors: For industries that are difficult to electrify, there are currently very few practical alternatives to natural gas, both in terms of equipment availability and cost-effectiveness.

GHG Reduction Pathway: Natural gas offers a viable pathway for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by replacing higher-emitting fuel sources. Furthermore, existing natural gas infrastructure can seamlessly support the transition to renewable natural gas (RNG) as it becomes more available, enabling continued reductions in GHG emissions.

Hydrogen Production: Natural gas is integral to hydrogen production via steam-methane reforming, which is currently the most cost-effective method for producing hydrogen at scale. This process is vital for meeting emerging hydrogen demand across various sectors.

Energy Density: With approximately three times the combustion energy of hydrogen, natural gas remains more practical for many applications in the near term. A premature shift to hydrogen would necessitate costly overhauls of existing gas delivery infrastructure, which could undermine the affordability and reliability of Ontario’s energy system.

We support the government’s measured approach to incorporating natural gas into the province’s energy future, balancing economic, environmental, and practical considerations.