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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1994-10-19, Page 31 Market contribution is a must in order for Lucknow to get gas by Pat Livingston Natural gas could be available to, residents in Lucknow by the fall of 1996, however, there, are a lot of "ifs" to contend with, says Stephen ' Bart, Union Gas representative. An information meeting last week drew a poor attendance. Around 25 people listened to Bart And other representatives explain the benefits of natural gas, conversion costs, and market contribution - the detail getting natural gas hinges upon. Most of the information presented was included in therecent householder mailing from Union Gas. Ban said that over the years, the company has received numerous calls requesting that natural gas service be brought to the Wingham, Lucknow and Teeswater areas. High pipeline costs associated with extending the gas lines had not made the possibility feasible. Information .. from Union Gas reads, "For communities like Luck - now where Union Gas cannot recover the cost for construction of a new gas main within 30 years, the customers receiving the gas service are asked to help offset the shortfall through market contribution.... each new arca receiving natural gas is self supportive..." The new proposed line from Clinton to Wingham, including branches east to Wroxeter and Gorrie, west through Whitechurch to Lucknow; and north to Teeswater involves around 150 Ijn of pipeline (highways and in -town). The ap- proximate capital investment is $15 million. " ' Without the market contribution, Union Gas would be unable to bring gas to Lucknow. Bart said officials are looking for "roughly 80 per cent of the existing homes to, convert within five years .(of the product being available), with about half of those convening in the first year. That 80 per cent figure would mean 257 residential customers on the line between Wingham and Lucknow. A' survey included with the householder mailing poses various questions on whether. residents would or would ,not instal natural gas, and whether they would pay the monthly market contribution charge of $15 or $20, for up to five years, to outset a portion of the costs of extending the pipeline. "Response to the survey is critical," said Bart. Union Gas would like the surveys returned whether they arc positive or negatives When asked if all communities on the proposed new extension, had to commit favorably, Bart said, as an example, that if Wingham residents were not in favor, all other com- munities on the proposed extension would be in a precarious position. "It is conceivable, however, that you could get gas here and not in Teeswater." Tony Vadlja explained the en- vironmental study process that takes place when extending a pipeline. "Due regard is given to the environ- ment," said Vadlja. The study assists in determining environmental features such as water courses, woodlots; assesses the potential effects pipeline instal- lation may have on the environ- ment, or disruptions that may be caused, and thirdly applies measures to deal with disruptions. "The study is on-going now, with MNR and conservation authority input," said Vadja. "An important component is feedback from residents," he said. Anyone with comments en the environmental study can call Union Gas at 1-$00-265-8807 (ext. 550). Officials want the study completed by the end of October or early November. An application • •see Extension, page 5 CORA says oil is fuel of choice With the possibility of natural gas becoming available to residents in Lucknow and those along highway 86 from through Whitechurch, the fuel oil industry is refuting Union Gas information distributed recently. ' A September press release from the Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) reads, "According to Union Gas billing information 'mailed to customers in August 1994, if a customer in a new pipeline development area compares similar -priced furnaces, it will cost $805 per year to heat with fuel oil, and $933 for natural gas. Gas prices include the gas company's monthly , service fee of $7.50 'Obis varies) and $15/month to offset the cost of the new pipeline (for five years for a total of $900/household)." Glen Austin. chairman of COHA, is quoted as saying: "This is impor- tant information for consumers planning to replace an older' fur- nace, or switch from electric heat, as well as anyone planning to build a new home or cottage. In many cases fuel oil is already the better deal, and the average furnace lasts 20 to 25 years. Very soon, oil will. be' fuel of choice everywhere and now is the time to switch." The CORA says that even in an area already supplied with natural gas, heating with oil . today costs $52 more per year. "But with es- • calating' natural gas costs such as a 3.5 per cent increase recently ap- proved for Union Gas, fuel oil will soon be the most economical fuel available. The. COHA says the National Energy Board predicts `substantial real growth' in natural gas prides over the next 15 years. A 1991, study reports that from that ,year, natural gas prices will be 300 per. Dramateers elect officers Trinity 4-H Dramateers The first meeting of the Trinity 4- H Dramateers took place on Oct. 5. The group put on a little act about a 60 -year-old man with an -old car. Joanne Menary told us a story from her mother's life in Holland. Officers for the club are Lisa Caesar, president; Dillon Moore, • vice president; Michelle Gibbons, secretary, and Marlene Johnston'as news reporter. ❑000a000�00000000� 0 Huron County's Complete o ]VEHICLE o ; RENTAL 0 CI 0 0 0 l3 3 0 0 l3 0 a 0 0 0 0 0 0 l7 0 171 0 0 C Headquarters o . 1 Small & Mid-sized Cars E 1 Passenger & CarMo . E Vans. Pickup Trucks E 1 Daily, Weekly. Monthly 111 1 Insurance• Rentals & c More 11 1 Free Delivery ''J Ask about our full transportation service 13 • C C rD CAR & TRUCK RENTALS E t)tvrvion r,l Sunrnasl Ford 13 13 500 Huron Rd., Godcrich CALL COLLECT Ask for Hel•en 11 524-8347 ❑eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeo cent higher in the year 2010, while fuel oil prices will, remain com- paratively stable, rising by just 35 per cent over the same period. "The continued rate increases by gas utilities show that this .predic- tion is coming true," says Austin. Austin says consumers might choose to buy a higher efficiency gas furnace rather than mid -ef- ficiency, for $1,000 more: But he says that with an annual cost savings of $173 against the extra • $1,000, it will take nearly six years to start saving. He says that fuel oil is a more environmentally -friendly choice, according to studies released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 'and the Brookhaven National Laboratory. "In these studies of the environ- mental .cost of heating, one million BTUs of energy cost US $2.65 for fuel oil and US $2.76 fornatural gas: The studies found that fuel oil produces lhss than two per cent of the harmful carbon dioxide in the greenhouse effect as carbon dioxide in heating oil." "We believe this information will make a significant difference for consumers heating with electricity, and for 'builders currently planning new developments," says Austin. Grand and "Fitting Day" ening If you've had breast surgery, you'll want to meet Pat O'Shaughnessy R.N. Naturalwear. by Camp Representative will be in the store to advise you. THURSDAY, OCT. 27, 1994 from 10:00 am till 4:00 pm "Gift Drawing" Dv CgoAp a• FRAN'S BOUTIQUE INC. 345 8th Street East, Suite #202 1uru Owen Sound, Ontario Tues. • Sat Iflam•5pm (519) 371-5024 Parking at. Roar Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, October 19, 1994 —'Page 3 CLOSING OUT SALE October 1 7th to 22nd ALL Fabrics, Patterns, Notions, Etc. A1% off October 24th to 29th ALL Fabrics, Patterns, Notions, Etc. 50% off HURRY! Last Day October 29th Hours for this sale Mon. -Sat. 9 am -5:30 pm s Monday - Saturday LUCKNOW 9:3o to 5;30 528-2000 `l.CCOt County of Bruce .WASTE MANAGEMENT STUDY . presents • PUBLIC. MEETINGS What makes a good landfill? What impact will sharing your landfill have on your community? How will we choose which sites to share? What compensation should Host Sites expect? f How will the "Shared Use" system be implemented? Local or County Authority? How long will a "Shared Use" system LAST? When will we need a new landfill? This is your chance to influence the planning process, ALSO: Are there new technologies which should be examined? Review initial 3 Rs implementation report. Tuesday, Oct. 25/94 • Teeswater Town Hall Wednesday, Oct. 26/94 • Wiarton Town Hall Thursday, Oct. 27/94 • Paisley Town Hall ALL MEETINGS BEGIN AT 7:30 PM SHARP! For more information Barry Randall at (519) 881.1782 BRUCE AREA RECYCLING PLANT TOUR Wednesday October 19, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Call Maria at 797-5557 for details