Natural gas in Asbestos
December 19, 2016 - Press releases
Inauguration of a major project for local sustainable economic development
Asbestos, December 19, 2016 – The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Compton–Stanstead, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bain—Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, Mr. Hugues Grimard, prefect of Des Sources RCM and mayor of Asbestos, and Mr. Stéphane Santerre, Senior Director, Operations at Gaz Métro, today inaugurated the commissioning of the natural gas network in Asbestos.
This $4.4-million project to extend the gas network is getting under way thanks to financial contributions from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) and the Ville d’Asbestos. This investment will connect the 28 businesses in the town’s industrial area, in addition to representing a significant economic development driver for the region.
“I am very pleased to be here to inaugurate this promising project for the Asbestos community. In addition to fostering new investment in the region, the gas pipeline system in the Asbestos industrial park is expected to generate many jobs that will definitely benefit the middle class.” Stated Minister Bibeau.
The mayor of Asbestos, Mr. Hugues Grimard, would like to thank Economic Development Canada and Gaz Métro, the town’s partners in this major project. “With natural gas, we have just provided ourselves with the missing asset in the range of services offered by the industrial park in Asbestos. Our industrial park now offers many fully serviced lots ready to be built on. With the benefits of the Fonds de diversification at our disposal, we can now claim to be one of the best destinations in Québec for industrial construction,” stated Mr. Grimard.
“I would like to congratulate all the local stakeholders who got this project off the ground; it holds major importance not only for the region but for the province of Québec: it is a meaningful and innovative project in response to climate change issues. Thanks to their efforts, our new clients will be able, together, to save up to $200,000 a year in energy costs,” said Mr. Santerre.
Related links
More information about the Canadian Initiative for the Economic Diversification of Communities Reliant on Chrysotile.
About Gaz Métro
With more than $7 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Québec, where its network of over 10,000 km of underground pipelines serves more than 300 municipalities and more than 200,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, where it has more than 310,000 customers. There, it operates in the electricity production market and the electricity and natural gas distribution market. Gaz Métro is actively involved in developing and operating innovative, promising energy projects, including natural gas as fuel, liquefied natural gas as a replacement for higher emission-producing energies, the production of wind power and the development of biomethane. Gaz Métro is a major energy sector player that takes the lead in responding to the needs of its customers, regions and municipalities, local organizations, and communities while also satisfying the expectations of its Partners (GMi and Valener) and employees.
Information:
Catherine Houde
Media and Public Relations
Gaz Métro
514 598-3449