Heritage Gas Ltd. has once again received approval from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to continue expanding its services in Pictou County and other parts of Nova Scotia.
Heritage Gas vice president of engineering, construction and operations Chris MacAulay said the approval is an ongoing formality they go through each year. Heritage Gas owns the franchise rights to distribute natural gas in Nova Scotia.
There are currently fewer than 100 natural gas customers in Pictou County, but among them are some large commercial businesses including Northern Pulp and Michelin, MacAulay said. Lines are also in place and ready to be activated to provide natural gas to the Aberdeen Hospital once their boiler is converted.
Expansion in the future will continue to be driven by demand. In many areas the main lines are already in place and would only require a service line to individual houses and businesses, but they will also be looking at extending the lines to areas where there may be interest. Heritage Gas began operations in Pictou County in 2014 and currently has distribution lines in New Glasgow, Stellarton and sections of the county.
“We’re looking for those opportunities to work with potential customers,” MacAulay said.
Natural gas prices, as with other commodities, can be difficult to predict at times, but MacAulay says that Heritage Gas continues to work hard to ensure there is a good stable supply of natural gas at the lowest available price.
As a clean energy source, he believes it is a great source of fuel for the future.