UMaine and Bangor Gas Collaborate on Expanded Use of Natural Gas to Heat Campus Buildings
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — The University of Maine and Bangor Gas Company have a new agreement that will expand the use of natural gas to heat more campus buildings.
The agreement involves transferring ownership of UMaine-owned natural gas piping facilities to Bangor Gas. In conjunction with that transfer, natural gas service will be provided to four campus buildings this year: the Service Building, Keyo Building, Mahaney Dome and Libby Hall. A dozen other campus buildings already use natural gas energy and UMaine is working with Bangor Gas to identify other facilities that may be candidates for future conversion.
“We appreciate this partnership with Bangor Gas, which will allow us to avoid emissions associated with the 100,000 gallons of propane and fuel oil that these buildings currently consume each year,” says Janet Waldron, UMaine’s vice president for administration and finance. “That will reduce the cumulative carbon footprint of the buildings by more than 25 percent, and further expansion of natural gas presents exciting opportunities for decreasing the university’s impact on our environment.”
Waldron points out that UMaine is an acknowledged national leader in energy and environmental sustainability among colleges and universities. It is one of just 18 institutions on the Princeton Review’s “Green Honor Roll,” and it is an original signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. UMaine is also an active participant in the state’s Governor’s Carbon Challenge.
As part of the work associated with the agreement, Bangor Gas will install 1-2 miles of additional gas pipelines on the UMaine campus, with construction expected to begin this fall.
About Bangor Gas Company:
Bangor Gas Company was formed in August 1997 and is a subsidiary of Energy West Inc.(EGAS Common Stock). As a regulated utility, Bangor gas is dedicated to providing safe, reliable natural gas service to residential, commercial and municipal customers in the greater Bangor area. (www.bangorgas.com )