Clearwater County has been meeting with Rocky Gas Co-op (RGC) over the past few years in hopes of bringing natural gas to Nordegg.

Initially, the intention was to partner with RGC to co-locate the infrastructure required for natural gas with the broadband project currently being undertaken by the County.

Clearwater County planner, Dustin Bisson, said in the July 12, council meeting, due to technical inconsistencies as well as time and funding constraints, unfortunately, this proved to be unachievable. Bisson added, instead, RGC is requesting grant funding from the County in the amount of $1.4 million in order to bring natural gas to the area.

According to County officials the project is estimated to cost approximately $1.7 million for supply lines from source to the regulating station. County officials add, RGC is committed to funding the remaining cost which is approximately $300,000 through their own financial resources. The RGC says it is also committed to funding the next step, which is bringing lines from the regulating station to residences and businesses.

Councillor Sydney Graham said, “The reason why I’ll be voting to support this motion is because I think that if we do not do this, it will be a waste of money that we’ve already put into Nordegg.”

Councillor Neil Ratcliffe put a motion forward saying Clearwater council members support this and approve the grant, a motion unanimously approved by council.