Kennebec Valley gas projects have cost for water utilities
Water utilities in the Kennebec Valley said requests to review natural gas pipeline installation sites in 2013 have brought on new costs, delayed some planned infrastructure improvements and could make future maintenance more costly.
The Morning Sentinel reported that requests for the Greater Augusta Utility District to review dig sites rose fivefold in 2013, up to 2,900 from 612 in 2012. In addition to those requests, utility representatives told the paper that installation of the natural gas pipelines, which are placed in shallower ground than water mains, could also make future water main maintenance more difficult.
Michael Duguay, director of business development for Summit Natural Gas of Maine and Augusta’s former economic development director, told the paper that the benefits of lower fuel costs will outweigh any additional cost to public utilities.
In response to challenges encountered last year, the paper reported that the Maine Water Utilities Association is considering drafting legislation to require a wider distance between water mains and natural gas pipelines.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments