The Wells are running dry, and winter is coming
With natural gas usage cut by less than 40 per cent, the town is hoping more people convert to alternative heating
Chris Puglia
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 14, 2013
LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
As the cold winter months approach, the Town of Norman Wells is watching its natural gas supply with a bit of apprehension.
Don Meier, gas utility manager with the Town of Norman Wells, stands in front of the community's water treatment plant. The facility will be the first to be converted to heating fuel. The natural gas unit on the left will be swapped out later in the fall with an oil unit which is on site waiting to be installed. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo |
As of Oct. 9, natural gas usage in the community had been cut by less than 40 per cent. With winter fast approaching and uncertainty surrounding whether natural gas will last until spring, the town's acting senior administrative officer wants more people off the system sooner than later.
Lindsey Blake said the conservative goal was to reduce usage by 40 per cent by now, but he said a 50 per cent reduction would make him more comfortable.
"If we are below (40 per cent), there is a risk of not having gas," he said.
Some of the community's biggest users, such as North Wright Air and the Heritage Hotel, have either converted or are in the process of converting to alternative heating supplies. Although a good start, Blake said people are running out of time to switch. Town buildings, with the exception of the recreation facilities, will be converted to heating fuel this fall.
Most concerning is the fact only 17 per cent - 27 of 159 - of residential homes, a mix between private, rental, business and government housing, have moved away from natural gas. Imperial Oil has stated the taps will be shut off as of Oct. 31, 2014.
For owners who have the supplies to do the conversion in town already, the work could be done before it gets too cold to shut the heat off. Otherwise, owners will have to wait until the winter road season or the next barge season to ship new heating systems. Either way, that means work on those homes will not begin before the spring or summer, leaving four to six months to complete the conversions.
"We're still walking on thin ice," said Blake. "Our goal will be to educate people ... we need all the help from the public we can get."
It's also in the public's best interest to help themselves. Blake said once the Oct. 31, 2014 deadline hits, there is nothing the community will be able to do. Homes that have not converted will be left in the cold.
For those who are struggling with finances or other resources, Blake encourages them to identify themselves to the town to determine what kind of help might be available. Imperial Oil has committed money to help offset the conversion costs. However, how those funds will be doled out has not been finalized.
Presently, there are two contractors in Norman Wells able to do the conversion work - Global Technical Systems Ltd. and Whiponic Wellputer Ltd.
Lorraine Tremblay, with Global Technical Systems Ltd., said although there is much to be done before the deadline, she believes between the two companies, the work will be completed. She admitted, however, it's going to be "a crazy year."
Blake said the town is maintaining its confidence and support for local business, but will be keeping a close eye on the progress come the spring.
"The town may have to jump in and bring in a contractor," he said. "We don't want to compete with local business but there might come a time when we may have to jump in."
For those still on natural gas through the winter, Blake is encouraging people to conserve wherever possible. Options include turning the thermostats down a degree or two, using appliances on natural gas less frequently and not heating spaces unnecessarily.
"One thing we are asking is if you have a heated garage, bring any perishables inside and not heat the garage," said Blake.
While Blake said a majority of the community is converting to home heating oil, there are other heating options available.
Tremblay said the typical conversion from a natural gas furnace to a home heating fuel system costs between $10,000 to $16,000 including installation. Installation work will take between two and four days to complete, she added.
Due to the limited number of suppliers in town, Tremblay said it is not feasible to finance every furnace and customers will have to pay 50 per cent of the cost upfront and the remainder upon arrival.
However, heating fuel is not the only option.
Tremblay said some people are converting to propane systems while others are using wood stoves or pellet heaters either independently or in conjunction with propane.
Propane is by far the cheapest option in term of installation, approximately $1,500 said Tremblay. However, she added, it costs four times more to operate than heating fuel.
"If you are going to propane, put in a wood stove," she recommended to help offset the fuel cost.
Wood pellets cost $7 a bag and Tremblay said, depending on the weather, a bag will last two to three days - $852 to $1,277 annually. The most expensive option would be electric heat, Tremblay said.
Rebates
Spending more than $10,000 on a new heating system might be a burden for some homeowners or small businesses. However, there are programs available to help offset the costs.
Imperial Oil has committed to giving the town funding to help with the conversion, although the town has yet to determine how the money will be distributed.
There are also programs through the territorial government and Arctic Energy Alliance.
Energy Conservation Program:
- Who: aboriginal governments and non-profits
- What: Increase energy efficiency
- Amount: Up to $50,000
Alternative Energies Technologies Program:
- Who: Communities, businesses and residents
- What: Use of alternative renewable energy (includes wood stoves)
- Amount: $50,000 matching grant (communities), up to $15,000 (businesses), up to $5,000 per year (residents)
Energy Efficiency Incentive Program:
- Who: Residents, businesses and non-profits
- What: purchase energy-efficient products
- Amount: Up to $1,500
Commercial Energy Conservation and Efficiency Program:
- Who: Businesses
- What: Projects to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gasses
- Amount: Up to $10,000
*Note some rebates depend on the energy efficiency of the product.
Source: Arctic Energy Alliance
