A proposal to install a natural gas pipeline through south-western Manitoba could lead to more development. That's the hope of Municipality of Norfolk-Treherne Reeve Craig Spencer, and Centra Gas beings the process of looking at the installation of a natural gas pipeline. At a recent meeting councillors approved allocations of $10,000 in 2016, and 2017 to help cover the cost of the project manager's wages, with similar resolutions taking place in other impacted municipalities.

Spencer feels this project could be a good thing for the region, but says he wants to ensure the lines are installed with room for further growth in the future.

"It sounds like a great project. However, if it's going to cost rate payers money there has to be some ability to see economic development with it. It can't be all used at the beginning, in my view, there has to be a certain amount available for future growth so we can attract industries that demand gas."

He says this isn't the first time a proposal to have natural gas access in the region has come forward, but feels because a division of Manitoba Hydro there could be an opportunity to see the work move forward.

"In my understanding from what I've been told, Manitoba Hydro's struggling to provide the necessary electricity at a reasonable cost. Because Manitoba Hydro and Centra Gas are one in the same, essentially, I think they view this as a possibility to offload some of the power needs in southwestern Manitoba by using gas."

Spencer notes the installation of the line would be a fairly significant project, and they're still in the early stages. However, he says it's already starting to pique the interest of those in the region.

"There's lots of work to be done and it's just in the initial stages. This line would basically come from the Number 1 Highway area, south to the east of Treherne, continue south and then go west. So we'll see. There are some Hutterite colonies that are extremely interested, and some producers with big grain dryers that are interested."

He notes several municipalities will help cover the cost of the project manager's wages for the next two years, and in that time it will be determined if the project is able to move forward in the region.