Environmental groups are praising Quebec's plan to ban fossil-fuel-based natural gas heating in homes by 2040 in an effort to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Tens of thousands of homes in Quebec have natural gas heating, but by 2040 all will be required to use renewable gas, which is generated by organic waste. Making the switch won't be easy.
That's because, as of now, only two per cent of the natural gas generated by Quebec's main supplier, nergir, is renewable.
"There's not enough, and it's way more expensive," said Finet, who estimates fossil fuel is around 10 cents a cubic metre whereas renewable natural gas is more like 70 or even 90 cents per cubic metre.
"We think the government's announcement is misguided," said Renaud Brossard, spokesperson for the Institut conomique de Montral, a nonpartisan economic think-tank.
"It's no secret that Quebec is in a situation where we have a shortage of electricity. The government admits it. Hydro-Qubec admits it."
Quebec to ban fossil fuel natural gas heating in homes by 2040 | CBC News