Natural Gas Coming To La Ronge

Natural Gas Coming To La Ronge

Friday, October 27, 2006 at 14:37

It appears the NDP government is prepared to make good on an election promise to the residents of La Ronge.

SaskEnergy has scheduled a news conference in La Ronge for Monday morning, when it’s expected it will announce natural gas will finally be coming to the northern community.

A media advisory says the minister responsible for SaskEnergy, Andrew Thomson, will be present to make a “major announcement regarding economic development in northern Saskatchewan”.

For years, advocates in the La Ronge area have been calling on the government to extend the natural gas pipeline network further north.

Local officials have complained the Crown utility has not offered the service at a low enough installation cost to suit most businesses and home owners.

However, during the last provincial election campaign, Premier Lorne Calvert said the natural gas expansion to La Ronge “has to happen” before the end of his current term in office.

SaskEnergy officials are refusing to comment.