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Natural gas extension cost balloons; Ocean Ridge considers alternatives
Summary
A previously estimated $600,000 cost to bring a natural gas main to Ocean Ridge grew sharply after utility engineers reassessed pressure and routing needs; the moderator cited a potential trunk-line estimate near $17 million and recommended exploring alternatives such as propane tanks and regulatory outreach.
The commission heard an update on efforts to extend natural gas service to Ocean Ridge. Moderator reported that initial outreach led the town to believe a mainline could be extended for about $600,000, but subsequent technical assessments indicated a significantly larger scope: the utility would need a 3.5-mile submarine spur plus a major trunk upgrade, pushing the projected cost into the millions. "We went from 600,000... to the main trunk line... would be basically around 17 [million]," she said.
Commissioners and staff discussed the technical and regulatory constraints involved, noted the public-service commission's role in oversight and considered short-term alternatives such as individual propane tanks for units. The Moderator suggested the commission could write regulators about the town's isolation and the service difficulty, and asked staff to pursue follow-up with the utility to better define options and cost-sharing possibilities.
No formal decision was made during the workshop; staff will seek clarified engineering memos and regulatory options to present at a future meeting.
