The St. Lawrence Gas Company has gotten the go-ahead from state authorities for its expansion into northeastern St. Lawrence County and into Franklin County.

The expansion, into Winthrop, Brasher Falls and North Lawrence in St. Lawrence County and Moira, North Bangor, Brushton, Malone, Burke and Chateaugay in Franklin County over the next several years is expected to start in August, the company said.

In July, the New York State Public Service Commission approved of parent company Enbridge’s addition of the plan to its official Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity relating to the project.

St. Lawrence Gas President Richard Campbell said that “the PSC notes that the expansion project will result in substantial financial benefits to new customers and economic benefits to the communities in which service will be provided.

“Bringing natural gas to this new market area will provide an economic and environmentally desirable fuel choice to residential, commercial, and industrial customers,” Campbell said.

Campbell credited many officeholders and agencies with help and support in the matter, including the governor’s office, Congressman Bill Owens, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Empire State Development, the Franklin County Legislature, and the Franklin County and St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agencies.

St. Lawrence Gas is owned by Enbridge Gas Distribution, Canada’s largest natural gas distribution company, which, in turn, is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based energy transportation and distribution company. It has about 2 million customers in Ontario, New York State, New Brunswick and southwestern Quebec.