Wynn pushes for expanded natural gas service in Ward 2
Talks are underway that could result in the expansion of natural gas services for many on two roads within the city limits.
Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn on Thursday organized a meeting with Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley and Robert Lesley, director of public affairs with Atmos Energy, to discuss the first steps in the process of bringing the service to residents of Bluefield Road and Greta Lane.
Both roads were annexed into the city limits in 1998 and currently have access to city sewer services, but no access to natural gas.
Local developer and attorney Johnny Moore, who has overseen the construction of several houses on Bluefield Road, was also in the meeting to discuss a potential expansion of services for his properties.
“When (Wynn) mentioned gas, I thought that would benefit the people we are looking to provide services for,” Moore said.
Presley said the first step in moving forward with an expansion would be to construct a cost estimate for Greta Lane, while also factoring in the separate properties on Bluefield Road.
“The time to catch it is now, before the houses get constructed,” Presley said.
Wynn said Greta Lane has 17 homes, while Bluefield Road already has five homes within the city limit. Additionally, Wynn said another developer is proposing 25 homes near the corner of Bluefield Road and Blue Cut Road, which could
mean even more customers for Atmos.
Presley then requested Atmos meet with Wynn to form a cost estimate on her existing constituents before meeting again to determine the next step.
“Those are people living there today, we know they are there,” Presley said. “We are going to be honest about it and don't know where those prices will be.”
Concerns
Presley told the group the most common problem facing natural gas expansion projects are residents that may be willing to convert, but change their minds when tasked with replacing existing appliances or amenities.
“If we can get that commitment, normally we can turn corporate profits into longterm investments.” he said.
Presley then said if private investment can go into the project, that it will make it much more attractive. But in the end, he said the primary factor is commitment.
Wynn said if the project came to fruition, her constituents would need to upgrade. On Greta Lane, which has no residential natural gas service, the majority of residents have propane service, which Presley said would be easier to convert than a residence with just electrical service.
“There just has to be some commitment in the beginning for these houses to be plumbed for natural gas,” he said. “You can't expect me to approve a project for an all electric subdivision that's going to
involve a hit or miss if people are going to convert.”
Presley did say, however, that rebate programs are available for certain kinds of projects.
Lesley addressed another concern, which is cost-effectiveness. He said the more residents living closer to the main gas line would make it cheaper to connect them to the service. The current line nearest to Greta Lane stops at Ferguson Plumbing Supply.
“Especially if we have new construction to run pipe to the subdivision, then the closer the main gets to them, the cheaper it is to hook them up,” he said.
At the end of the meeting, it was decided that a cost estimate would be furnished by April 15 to give all parties involved a better idea of the cost and effort that will go into the potential project.