Village in Talks for Natural Gas

RFH 2010, Featured Articles, News

Wed, Jun 16, 2010

If all goes well, many village residents could be cookin’ with gas … really cooking.

The village is talking with two companies running natural gas pipelines through the village about tapping into the lines and providing natural gas as a source of fuel for residents, but most importantly for large users.

Mayor Sue McVaugh recently said the village is talking with two different companies about purchasing natural gas being piped through the village. Gas would be another responsibility for the Municipal Utility Commission. The village has engaged Albany-based consultants to help with the project.

"The possibilities are endless," said McVaugh.

The prospect of providing the cheaper and cleaner alternative fuel began as an inquiry from Colgate about the possibility of exploring for natural gas on property it owns. That became less and less feasible as opposition to the method of releasing the gas from underground formations grew.

McVaugh said that it was learned shortly after that transmission lines were being built through the area. One will enter the village along West Lake Road and the other on 12B from the south.

Being able to provide natural gas to major utility consumers like Colgate, HCS and Community Memorial Hospital could mean large savings and far fewer carbon emissions.

“One hundred years ago the fathers of Hamilton put their money on the line to form an energy company and today we continue to reap the rewards," said McVaugh. "I don't want the village to put its head in the sand and miss another opportunity."

She said work continues on finding out if any such project is possible.

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