Press conference with Pierre Arcand todayThe Government of Qubec paid $ 6.7 million last Monday to Gaz Mtro for an extension of the natural gas distribution network in the municipality of Saint-phrem. The potential initial market in the municipality represents a volume of nearly one million cubic meters of natural gas. The Member of Parliament for Beauce-Sud and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Labor and the Economy, Paul Busque, made the announcement at the Saint-phrem multi-purpose center on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Pierre Arcand. "This announcement is the result of hard work and I am extremely pleased. Beauce says entrepreneurship and it goes without saying that the extension of the gas network is of paramount importance for local businesses. We are proud that the mobilization of elected representatives and companies in the region is a guarantee of success. The expansion of this natural gas distribution network will promote regional economic development and make businesses less polluting and more competitive, "said the member for Beauce-Sud. "I am pleased with the announcement because access to the natural gas distribution network will have a positive effect on our economy. With this new project, close to 20 companies could be connected to this new network and thus contribute to the creation and consolidation of jobs in our municipality ", added the Mayor of the locality, Normand Roy. Approximately $ 8 million, the 18-kilometer extension project will link the municipality of Sainte-Clotilde to Saint-phrem. Work is expected to begin in the summer of 2018 and conclude a few months later in the fall. Gaz Mtro will assume the other costs of the extension. Qubec undertakes to extend the network Funding for the project comes from the Green Fund. This is part of the implementation of the 2013-2020 Action Plan on Climate Change. As part of the 2030 Energy Policy, Qubec wishes to continue financing the extension of the natural gas network. Access to this resource is recognized as a factor of location and retention for companies, enabling them to increase their competitiveness while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% It replaces a fossil fuel that emits more GHGs such as fuel oil. On the other hand, organizations that consume fossil fuels could benefit from the financial assistance for the conversion of equipment to natural gas according to the coPerformance program https://www.leclaireurprogres.ca/actualites/politique/2017/7/10/quebec-octroie-6-7-m--pour-le-prolongement-gazier-de-saint-ephre.html