Hydrogen Use:

• As with any fuel, appropriate safety procedures are required. At room temperature, hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic gas. Hydrogen molecules are extremely light and therefore disperse very quickly into the atmosphere. The combustion of hydrogen produces water.
• In the event of a leak or pipeline failure, gaseous hydrogen behaves similarly to natural gas in that it does not form pools on the ground or contaminate groundwater. Hydrogen tends to ignite more easily than natural gas; however, it also contains less energy, resulting in a smaller flame.
• The storage and transportation of hydrogen are governed by rigorous codes and standards based on its safe use in industrial applications over many decades

Quantitative risk assesment (QRA): completed in early 2026.

• The results and any potential recommendations are currently being analyzed by Enbridge Gaz Québec’s teams. It is possible that certain aspects of the hydrogen pipeline design may need to be adjusted. The study will be submitted to the appropriate technical authorities prior to construction.
• Enbridge Gaz Québec designs all of its pipelines to meet or exceed code requirements. The company takes pride in delivering energy safely and reliably and will ensure that safe work practices are implemented to protect both the public and workers.

• Safety measures will be tailored specifically to this project based on the studies conducted, the final pipeline design, its surrounding environment, and the applicable regulatory requirements. In other words, this will not simply involve applying an existing solution: several elements will be adapted to the reality of the project, including how leaks are detected, how the pipeline is monitored, how damage from third-party activities near the pipeline is prevented, and how emergency response measures are organized.

Leak detection:

• Hydrogen is odorless, like natural gas. In the case of natural gas, an odorizing compound called mercaptan is added to give it its characteristic smell, making leaks easier to detect where the gas is used. For hydrogen, the exact tools and systems that will be used to detect leaks in the most effective manner are among the factors being evaluated as part of the quantitative risk assessment. It is important to note that any proposed measures will need to be approved by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).
• As with natural gas operations, Enbridge Gaz Québec will maintain a 24/7 emergency response service capable of responding to any type of emergency. The company will also work closely with the municipal fire department on prevention activities and the necessary training. In the event of a leak, Enbridge Gaz Québec will respond promptly to secure the situation as quickly as possible.

• Hydrogen pipelines, like the natural gas pipelines already operating within Enbridge Gaz Québec’s network, are designed, assessed, and operated in accordance with rigorous safety requirements. The risk of incidents on a hydrogen pipeline is no greater than the risk associated with an existing natural gas pipeline. As it has done for the past 65 years, Enbridge Gaz Québec ensures that all necessary studies are carried out to support the safe design and operation of a pipeline for the community.
• The quantitative risk assessment completed for the project (see the FAQ question Is hydrogen safe and has a risk assessment been conducted?) was intended, among other things, to evaluate risk scenarios related to the proposed pipeline location and its integration into the existing environment, including its proximity to buildings.
• At present, most reported pipeline incidents are related to third-party damage occurring during excavation work, often when appropriate safety measures have not been fully followed. Each year, Enbridge Gaz Québec proactively raises awareness, provides training, and promotes safe practices among contractors and public utilities carrying out work within municipal rights-of-way, as well as among homeowners undertaking work on their private property.

More information can be found in the Pipeline route and impacts section of this FAQ.

Bill 24 provides that hydrogen facilities can fall under the regulatory authority of the Régie de l’énergie. Enbridge Gaz Québec plans to submit its project file during the first semester of 2026, in different steps.

Deferred expense account (filed on February 5, 2026, approved on May 22, 2026):

• The expenses incurred so far by the project have been recorded in a deferred expense account. This request was made to the Régie de l’Énergie (in French only) while awaiting the study and decision on the complete project file.
• A deferred expense account is a mechanism commonly used in capital investment project to record and track costs incurred during the development and execution of an investment project. The costs recorded in the deferred expense account remain subject to review and decisions by the Régie de l’énergie as part of the regulatory process, particularly regarding their future treatment.

Injection tariff (filed on May 22, 2026)

• The injection tariff is the rate that applies to producers wishing to inject gas from renewable sources (GRS), including hydrogen, into the existing network. It is intended to cover the costs incurred by the distributor to integrate this gas into the network, including those related to connecting facilities, metering and control equipment, as well as the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure required for injection.
• Established based on the costs specific to each project, it is intended to ensure fair and transparent pricing by ensuring that the costs associated with injection are borne by the producers who benefit from it.

Remainder of project (filing upcoming)

• As with many construction projects, the schedule is subject to revision based on the progress of the various studies being conducted, potential adjustments to the project, and regulatory processes and approvals.
• Enbridge Gaz Québec ensures that the project complies with all applicable standards and regulations, and the completion of the necessary studies (engineering, environmental, risk) may take longer than initially anticipated. These studies involve multiple stakeholders, and delays may occur to ensure they are carried out properly.
• Initially, Enbridge Gaz Québec had set an ambitious schedule and had hoped these studies could be completed in 2024, with construction beginning in 2025, once the necessary approvals and permits had been obtained from the relevant authorities.
• This schedule continues to be revised, and remains, to this day, non-final.

• There are several regulatory bodies responsible for ensuring that the project has been designed with rigor and integrity and that it complies with applicable laws and standards. These authorities may review all completed studies, request modifications, or require additional analyses.

Ministry of the Environment:

• The MELCCFP’s requirements are not specific to hydrogen distribution pipelines. It was also confirmed in June 2023 that the project does not meet the criteria requiring a public environmental review by the BAPE. Pursuant to Section 22 of Québec’s Environment Quality Act, authorization from the Ministry is required for the proposed pipeline and the two hydrogen stations planned along the route.

Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ):

• The RBQ is responsible for ensuring the technical compliance of the hydrogen facilities and pipeline. Engineering studies were completed in July 2025, and the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) was completed in January 2026.
• Discussions are currently underway with the RBQ to review these studies.

City of Gatineau:

• The various permits required from the City of Gatineau will be obtained before construction begins and once the necessary regulatory approvals have been received.

• Enbridge Gaz Québec chose to host two open house evenings*: one on February 26, 2024, in the Buckingham sector, and another on February 29, 2024, in the Masson-Angers sector. Additionally, an online option was available for citizens who were unable to attend in person. It’s important to note that these meetings are not mandatory under the regulatory process (after verification with the MELCCFP in June 2023, it was confirmed that the project does not meet the criteria to be subject to a BAPE review).
• The information presented during the open houses aimed to educate about hydrogen, share the project details and a preliminary timeline (which has since been updated). Three potential pipeline routes were also featured. The goal was to inform citizens, answer their questions, and receive their comments.
• 80 visitors were welcomed across both open house events, and several hundred on the dedicated website. Comments received were reviewed and considered when selecting the preferred route and in the next steps of the project planning. The questions asked by participants were also addressed in this FAQ.
• Enbridge Gaz Québec continues to meet with stakeholders and remains committed to maintaining an open dialogue.

*All residents living west of the Municipality of L’Ange-Gardien, in the Buckingham, Masson-Angers sectors, and east of the City of Gatineau, as well as municipal elected officials, received an invitation by mail. This invitation was also shared on social media and in the local press.

• Environmental studies have been done to limit the project’s impact on the environment. They are based on available existing data (Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Centre d’expertise hydrique du Québec, Géobase du réseau hydrographique du Québec, Ducks Unlimited Canada, MELCCFP, MRC Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Ville de Gatineau, and Municipalité de l’Ange-Gardien). Inventories have also been drawn up, and included waterways, fish habitats, vegetation, wetlands, species of conservation concern (wildlife and vegetation), and invasive exotic species.
• Enbridge Gaz Québec is committed to conducting its activities in an environmentally responsible manner. This commitment is reflected in pollution prevention, biodiversity protection and resource conservation, all of which contribute to a sustainable environment. Employees are also expected to support a safe workplace, promote responsible behaviours and incorporate these principles into their day-to-day activities.

Route selection was based on a multi-criteria analysis that considered technical, environmental, social, and economic factors. During the public engagement process held in February 2024, several route options were presented to residents and stakeholders for discussion and feedback.

• The selected route was identified as the most suitable option based on, among other considerations:

-Ground accessibility and the presence of existing underground infrastructure

-Location within the City of Gatineau’s right-of-way

-Environmental and social impacts

-Route length

-Feedback received through the public particpation process

-The need to serve industrial customers in the Masson-Angers and Rivière-Blanche sectors

-Proximity to emergency services and Enbridge Gaz Québec teams, allowing rapid access to infrastructure

-The presence in Gatineau of a specialized emergency response unit trained to respond to flammable gas incidents

-A municipal culture that is familiar with safe utility locating and excavation practices

• In general, the same criteria used for a natural gas pipeline of similar size and operating pressure were applied when evaluating social considerations along the route.
• Economic factors related to the project’s viability were also considered during the route selection process. However, this does not necessarily mean that the least expensive route was chosen. Rather, the preferred route was identified after considering the full range of evaluation criteria and determining it to be the best overall option.

Important: the route remains subject to change if new information warrants modifications.

Enbridge Gaz Québec understands that the route of a hydrogen distribution pipeline in an urban area may raise concerns. However,

• Numerous hydrogen pipeline projects exist around the world, in jurisdictions where safety is a top priority for both governments and companies, just as it is in Canada. More information is available in Understanding the project, hydrogen and hydrogen blending section of this FAQ. 
• All the necessary time is devoted to conducting engineering and risk studies to ensure the safety of the pipeline and that all components, materials and procedures are suitable for hydrogen distribution.
• It is important to note that regulatory bodies are in place to ensure that the design process is carried out rigorously and with integrity, and that the proposed project complies with applicable laws and standards. These organizations review all studies and may request adjustments or additional studies.
• For the past 65 years, Enbridge Gaz Québec has operated similar underground gas pipelines in urban areas of Gatineau and continues to ensure the safety and reliability of its network for its customers and the community.

• Several alternative corridors were evaluated before the public engagement process began, including routes through agricultural areas, along highway rights-of-way, electricity transmission corridors, and railway corridors. These options were assessed from environmental, social, and technical feasibility perspectives.
• While some non-urban corridors may appear easier, safer, or even less costly, it is important to understand that route selection is a complex process that takes into account a wide range of social, environmental, economic, safety, and technical feasibility factors.
• The routes presented during the public engagement process were those considered to be the most viable. Natural gas distribution pipelines are primarily installed within municipal rights-of-way to facilitate new customer connections, inspections, maintenance activities, and emergency response operations.
• It is also important that the pipeline be able to directly serve industrial customers located in the Masson-Anges and Rivière-Blanche districts.

• Enbridge Gaz Québec is developing a hydrogen recovery and distribution project in the Outaouais region. Specifically, the project aims to capture hydrogen that is currently produced through water electrolysis by a local industrial partner, ERCO Worldwide, in Buckingham. This hydrogen, which is currently used only to a limited extent, would be purified and transported through a dedicated pipeline of approximately 20 kilometers to injection and usage points in the Masson-Angers, Gatineau and Airport sectors.
• The recovered hydrogen could then be blended with natural gas in Enbridge Gaz Québec’s distribution network, serving approximately 44,000 customers. It could also be used directly as a gas from renewable sources (GRS) by industrial customers located along the pipeline route.
• This project supports Québec’s energy transition efforts by leveraging an existing local and renewable energy source without requiring any additional electricity generation.
• Enbridge Gaz Québec’s H2 Project represents the first phase of a broader, long-term regional decarbonization initiative aimed at establishing an energy ecosystem in the Outaouais region based on waste recovery, renewable energy and circular economy principles.

• Blending consists of injecting a controlled percentage of hydrogen into the existing natural gas distribution network. Once injected, the hydrogen mixes with the natural gas and supplies appliances connected to the network — such as heating systems, water heaters and stoves — in the same way as traditional gas. For customers, no equipment changes are required.
• The maximum level of hydrogen that can be safely injected depends on several factors, including the compatibility of pipeline materials, metering equipment and appliances used by customers. Enbridge Gaz Québec has conducted engineering studies specific to its network to better define the potential blending limits, while confirming the network’s resilience, long-term integrity and ability to maintain reliable and safe operations under the project-specific conditions.
• For the project in Outaouais, Enbridge Gaz Québec is targeting a blending level of 5% to 15% by volume, a range that is consistent with practices elsewhere in the world.
• As a reference point, CSA has previously indicated that a blend containing up to 5% hydrogen may be considered in a natural gas distribution network with current household appliances. At no point did CSA state that this limit was related to user safety.

More information on other hydrogen project in the world can be found under the question Are there other projects of this type elsewhere in the world? in this section of the FAQ. 

• Hydrogen (H₂) is the most abundant element in the universe. It is a very light, odorless, and colorless gas that is found, among other places, in water (H₂O). Hydrogen can be produced in various ways, including through electrolysis—a process that uses electricity to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water. It can then be transported by pipeline or truck for use in industrial processes, as a fuel, or blended into the natural gas network.
• Why is it considered “clean”? Hydrogen is referred to as “clean” when its production or recovery method significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. In the case of Enbridge Gaz Québec’s project, the hydrogen comes from an existing industrial by-product that would otherwise go unused. Recovering and utilizing this hydrogen makes it possible to replace a portion of the fossil natural gas in the distribution network without producing additional hydrogen. When used, hydrogen does not generate CO₂ during combustion; it produces primarily water vapor.
• An energy carrier: Hydrogen is not a primary energy source that can be extracted from the ground like oil or natural gas. Rather, it is an energy carrier—a means of storing and transporting energy that is produced from other sources. In this sense, it is somewhat like a battery, but in gaseous form.
• Hydrogen colours: The hydrogen industry uses a color-coding system to identify different production methods.
  • Green hydrogen: Produced through electrolysis powered by renewable electricity (as in our project)
  • Grey hydrogen: Produced from natural gas, with associated CO₂ emissions
  • Blue hydrogen: Produced from natural gas, but with carbon capture and storage (CCS)
  • Pink hydrogen: Produced using nuclear energy
  • White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen found underground and extracted directly from geological formations.

• The green hydrogen in this project is sourced from the recovery of an existing industrial by-product. It does not require any new electricity generation or additional production infrastructure.
• By replacing up to 13% of the fossil natural gas currently used in the network, it could help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region. Its combustion produces only water vapor.
• The project is also expected to generate several local economic benefits, including the creation of new jobs through the establishment of industries seeking a renewable, reliable, and competitively priced energy source.

Supply:

Billing:

• Hydrogen blended with natural gas will be incorporated into customers’ regular billing, in the same way that GRS is currently billed, through a regulated mechanism that must be approved by the Régie de l’énergie. More information can be found in the Regulations, studies and environment section of this FAQ.

• Carbon footprint reduction: by receiving a blend that contains hydrogen, customers can reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their gas usage.
• No equipment changes required: hydrogen blended with natural gas is used in exactly the same way as conventional natural gas—for space heating, water heating, and cooking—without requiring any modifications to customer appliances.
• Lower carbon monoxide emissions: a unique characteristic of hydrogen is that it does not produce any carbon monoxide when combusted.

The same safety measures currently used for natural gas remain in place.

The project represents a total private investment of approximately $200M.