Unitil, (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, announced today that J.B. Brown and Sons, a longtime Unitil customer, has granted an easement across one of its industrial properties to allow six auto dealerships to gain access to natural gas.
“Allowing an easement across our property so that other local businesses can benefit from natural gas service was an easy decision to make,” said Vin Veroneau, president, J.B. Brown and Sons. “It was the right thing to do to support economic development and the success of our local business community.”
The dealerships, owned by Bill Dodge Auto Group, sought to bring natural gas to a newly constructed facility and five existing buildings along its campus on Saunders Way in Westbrook.
“We saw the value of converting to natural gas firsthand at several of our other dealerships in Maine, so realizing similar energy savings at our Westbrook buildings was a priority for us,” said John Mallia, general manager, Bill Dodge Auto Group. “We are very grateful to our neighbor and colleagues at J.B. Brown and Sons for their generosity in allowing an easement across their property to help us reach our goals.”
Unitil is adding 3,160 feet of 4” main line from an existing line on Forest Street, across the J.B. Brown and Sons property and up Saunders Way to reach the Bill Dodge Auto Group properties.
“J.B. Brown and Sons has been a longtime Unitil customer and understands the value of natural gas,” said Scott Carpenter, business development manager, Unitil. “By generously allowing an easement across their property, they helped us avoid a more complicated and costly construction across railroad tracks.”
Bill Dodge Auto Group estimates that it will save 27% on energy costs by switching to natural gas. Construction is expected to be completed early this summer.
Natural gas is a safe, economical energy source that is better for the environment and less expensive than oil. Customers and businesses interested in switching to natural gas should visit www.unitil.com/switch and use the "Gas Availability Tool" to learn if they might be eligible.
