Conversion to Natural Gas Should Pare Energy Costs, Mayor Says

Ten years in the making.

That's how long township officials have been trying to convert Town Hall and other municipal buildings from oil to natural gas.

But ten years ago, the price wasn't right, Mayor Jason J. Varano said at the May 10 Township Council meeting.

Ten years ago, the nearest natural gas line was located at Central Regional Middle School, 1.5 miles away from Town Hall. The cost to convert was too prohibitive at $500,000.

Several years ago, after New Jersey Natural Gas had added service closer to the municipal building, the cost was reduced to $200,000, the mayor said.

"We were still wondering if it was worth doing," Varano said.

But New Jersey Natural Gas recently agreed to run the pipeline down Pinewald-Keswick Road and to the municipal building at a cost of $16,000, he said.

"They finally met with us three or four months ago," he said. "Now, at the end of the day, they are able to cover their costs. They will run the pipes 1.5 miles and cover all the costs. And we will see a savings of $30,000 per year. It's a win-win for us."

The township recently received a $173,000 grant from the federal Department of Energy to help pay for the conversion and the installation of new-energy efficient heating equipment in a number of township buildings.

The buildings include Town Hall, the police department, public works, animal control, the sign shop, the Pinewald Fire Company building, the Berkeley Emergency Response Team facility and the school garage.

The pipes will be installed at the end of the summer, a project that will take roughly three weeks. The conversion of furnaces and gas hook-ups will be completed by early fall, in time for the next winter season, Varano said.

Varano said the township is also looking to possibly convert some township vehicles to natural gas in the future.