Unitil Expands Natural Gas Service to Strafford County Complex

Unitil (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, is breaking ground on a natural gas line extension that will connect to the Strafford County Complex in Dover. By replacing its existing propane and oil heating systems with natural gas, the Strafford County Complex is expected to save an estimated $150,000 in annual heating costs.

 

"This is a wonderful project that has many advantages for the Strafford County Complex, including a reduced carbon footprint," said George Maglaras, chairman of the board of county commissioners. "The County's investment in this project will have a payback of three years and will save county tax payers money for years to come."

 

To provide natural gas service, Unitil is installing 8,300 feet of pipe to extend from the end of the existing gas main on Rochester Neck across to eight buildings in the Strafford County Complex including the Strafford County Courthouse, Riverside Rest Home, Strafford County House of Corrections, Hyder Hospice Center and Covered Bridge Elderly Housing. The new gas main will travel along Rochester Neck Road, across an existing foot bridge spanning the Isinglass River, around the back of the Strafford County Complex access road and along County Farm Cross Road. Underground construction is in progress now and most buildings in the Strafford County Complex will be converted to natural gas by the 2014-2015 heating season. 

 

"Unitil has worked closely with County officials to bring natural gas to the Strafford County Complex, and we are very pleased to be breaking ground on this expansion project,” said Alec O’Meara, media relations manager, Unitil. “With the construction of the new natural gas infrastructure, the Strafford County Complex will be more energy efficient, which will help reduce its overall energy costs.”

 

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.