Is Natural Gas For East Down Asks Hamilton?

Commenting, Simon Hamilton said, “I have long pushed for the expansion of the natural gas network for a whole host of reasons.xa0 Natural gas may be a fossil fuel, but it is much more friendly to our environment than carbon heavy fuels like oil and coal.xa0 Gas is also consistently cheaper than the likes of oil and the extension of the network offers both householders and businesses greater energy choice.xa0 I also support extending the natural gas network because of the undoubted economic benefits that are derived from not only putting in the pipeline but also the spin offs for local installers who bring gas to people’s homes. The case for extending the natural gas network is certainly a compelling one and is why I have been pressing the case at every opportunity for several years now, including bringing a debate on the subject to the floor of the Assembly.xa0 I warmly welcome the decision by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to include extending the network to East Down in a consultation paper.xa0 This is a critical first step forward in bringing natural gas to our part of Northern Ireland.xa0 Why shouldn’t homes and businesses in the likes of Saintfield, Ballynahinch and Downpatrick not be able to avail of the benefits of greater energy choice? I hope that this consultation by DETI produces a positive result for East Down.xa0 To have got to the stage where extending the natural gas network to East Down is being considered in this way is significant progress that was unimaginable a few years ago”. In thexa0The Assembly Question and Answer session on thexa0Natural Gas Network, Mr Hamilton asked thexa0Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how her Department plans to progress the expansion of the natural gas network. (AQO 84/11-15) Minister Foster replied, “I intend to issue a public consultation later this month. This will seek views from key stakeholders on the potential for extending the natural gas network to further areas in the West and North West of Northern Ireland and other new areas, such as East Down. Extending the gas network would increase consumer choice and reduce dependence on coal and oil. There are, however, many issues to be considered, not least how any extension of the gas network might be funded.” ]]>