Régie de l'énergie's unfavorable decision on new 100% renewable grid connections in the building sector:

a major setback for the decarbonization of buildings in Quebec

Montreal, February 24, 2025 – The Régie de l'énergie has ruled against Énergir's initiative to ensure that all new grid connections to its network in the building sector are 100% renewable. The Régie has reversed its interpretation of the regulatory framework, revoking its initial decision from January 2024 that had given the green light to this initiative. Énergir strongly deplores this decision, which was intended to significantly reduce the addition of new volumes of fossil natural gas in buildings and will now hinder their decarbonization. 

This ambitious and proactive initiative, which Énergir has been implementing since April 2024, aligns with its objective to fully decarbonize the energy it distributes by 2050. Given that its natural gas network has reached maturity, Énergir seeks to significantly reduce the fossil natural gas volumes and gradually make the remaining volumes it distributes renewable. 

“Énergir has a credible, pragmatic, and achievable decarbonization plan, and today’s decision is baffling. Not only does it hinder Énergir in its actions, but it also represents a step backward. This ruling highlights the urgent need for a legislative and regulatory framework that allows for greater agility. Clearly, the current framework is not equipped to meet the challenges of Quebec's energy transition”, says Stéphanie Trudeau, Executive Vice President, Quebec, at Énergir. 

While remaining highly conscious of customer tariffs, Énergir strives to balance decarbonization efforts with costs. Although it does not profit from the molecule itself, Énergir acknowledges that renewable natural gas (RNG) is more expensive, whereas fossil natural gas remains, by comparison, highly affordable. “The energy transition comes at a cost, and the choices we must make to ensure its success will inevitably have economic implications”, adds Ms. Trudeau. 

Despite this decision, Énergir remains convinced of the initiative’s relevance within the broader effort to decarbonize the economy. It is also aligned with the Quebec government's announcement (available in French only) last November to regulate the use of fossil natural gas for heating in the building sector. Énergir will take the time to analyze the decision in full to assess potential remedies that would allow it to continue implementing its decarbonization initiatives.

Énergir en bref

Comptant plus de 11 milliards $ d’actifs, Énergir est une entreprise diversifiée du secteur énergétique dont la mission est de répondre de manière de plus en plus durable aux besoins énergétiques de ses quelque 535 000 clients et des communautés qu'elle dessert au Québec et au Vermont. Principale entreprise de distribution de gaz naturel au Québec, Énergir y produit également, par le biais de coentreprises, de l'électricité à partir d'énergie éolienne. Par le biais de filiales et d'autres placements, l'entreprise est présente aux États-Unis où elle produit de l'électricité de sources hydraulique, éolienne et solaire, en plus d'être le principal distributeur d'électricité et le seul distributeur de gaz naturel de l'État du Vermont. Énergir, valorise l'efficacité énergétique, investit et poursuit son implication dans des projets énergétiques novateurs tels que le gaz naturel renouvelable et le gaz naturel liquéfié et comprimé. Par le biais de ses filiales, elle offre également une variété de services énergétiques. Énergir souhaite devenir le partenaire recherché et apprécié par tous ceux et celles qui aspirent à un avenir énergétique meilleur.

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