Enbridge Gas has announced it is building a long-planned pipeline to Cherry Valley over the next few months. It anticipates service installation to individual homes and businesses in Cherry Valley starting in August 2025.

The pipeline was originally endorsed by Council in 2020. 

In late 2023, however, the Ontario Energy Board looked at the province’s 2030 Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction target, and said installing new gas pipelines was not worth it. It recommended home builders install efficient and clean heat pumps instead.

New gas infrastructure depends on a 23-cent per cubic metre “System Expansion Surcharge” (SES) to all new customers over a period of forty years. The OEB noted that infrastructure would become a “stranded asset,” obsolete before it was fully paid for. 

In February 2024, Council endorsed the OEB’s decision. Mayor Steve Ferguson wrote a letter to the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to urge it “pause its support position on Enbridge’s request,” and “instead explore the Ontario Energy Board decision and more current, cleaner technologies.”

Just a week later, however, the provincial government sided with Enbridge. It introduced legislation to overrule the OEB’s decision and instead endorsed more gas.

Meanwhile, just a month earlier, the County CAO, Marcia Wallace, had provided a letter to Enbridge, also in support. “On behalf of the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward, I would like to formally express our interest to have Cherry Valley Natural Gas Expansion included on Enbridge Gas’ list of projects being proposed to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) for consideration for financial support through the Natural Gas Expansion Program,” she wrote.

“This letter serves as a reconfirmation of municipal support for the revised project.” 

It is not clear where that “municipal support” came from. Nor was the letter withdrawn in light of Council’s decision against the Cherry Valley pipeline the following month.

So here we are! A new pipeline in a climate crisis.
The OEB had it right when they refused Enbridge initially. 
I have no idea why it wants to double down on the fossil fuel end of their company — while saying they are trying to expand their heat pump program.

It is cheaper and cleaner to buy a cold climate heat pump. Full stop.

Councillor Kate MacNaughton

That “revised project” included re-routing of the pipeline to Cherry Valley by way of Base31. Construction is now along County Road 22, County Road 10, and County Road 18.

Enbridge told the Gazette that, in addition to environmental and other concerns about the original route, along Sandy Hook Road, “low customer interest and land acquisition constraints near the proposed tie-in point further reduced the viability of the route.”

Enbridge acknowledged that, while Base31 “is not currently within the project scope, the pipeline has been designed to accommodate future growth in the area. Potential service to the site may be considered as part of the broader regional planning efforts, should demand and feasibility align.”

It is not clear whether either of Council’s contradictory statements for or against the Cherry Valley Expansion pipeline has any real weight. 

In its own application to the OEB, Enbridge points out that “Enbridge Gas has a Franchise Agreement with the County of Prince Edward.” That agreement extends to 2043. 

It also notes, “Enbridge Gas also holds a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for any project work within the County of Prince Edward. These regulatory instruments allow the Company to construct, operate and add to the natural gas distribution system within all parts of the municipality.”

In other words, it is up to the OEB, not the County. And on May 15 the OEB approved.

In response to the news that construction was beginning on the Cherry Valley pipeline, Councillor Kate MacNaughton noted, “the OEB had it right when they refused Enbridge initially. I have no idea why Enbridge wants to double down on the fossil fuel end of their company — while saying they want to expand their heat pump program.” 

“They’re trying to sell homeowners on an outmoded technology with a premium price tag that will pollute more and cost more over time. It is cheaper and cleaner to buy a cold climate heat pump.  Full stop.

 “Using the incentive program and Canada’s zero-interest loan program, you can install a heat pump that will heat your home more efficiently, cleanly, and cheaply than paying for natural gas. Lower income homes that heat with baseboard electric could qualify for a 100 percent free Mitsubishi heat pump or free insulation through the Save on Energy program. You don’t pay a cent!” 

Rebate and loan programs can be found at Natural Resources Canada and at Enbridge Gas and at Save on Energy.