State of Maine Converts Capitol Complex to Natural Gas
AUGUSTA – Today the Bureau of General Services, a part of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS), announced that they have completed the conversion of the Capitol complex heating system to burn natural gas.
“We are pleased to have brought the Statehouse, the Cross Office Building and the Cultural Building all online with natural gas,” said DAFS Commissioner H. Sawin Millett, Jr. “The conversion of state-owned facilities has been a major initiative of this administration and will save the taxpayers of Maine at least $708,000 in FY 2015 alone.”
The Capitol complex is the second state-owned facility to convert to natural gas this month, joining the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters located at 221 State Street in Augusta. The East Campus (former AMHI) powerhouse and Riverview Psychiatric facilities are scheduled to come online with natural gas in early March. Those conversions will complete phase one of the State’s high-use Augusta area facilities.
“Under the LePage Administration, Maine has moved forward ambitiously with common-sense energy initiatives that reduce total costs for households and businesses alike” said Patrick Woodcock, Director of the Governor’s Energy Office. “The conversion of state office facilities in the Augusta area has been a catalyst for natural gas expansion in the Kennebec River Valley that will save millions in heating costs for homes and employers. We must build on this conversion and move to continue to reduce energy costs across the State of Maine with modern and affordable heating options.”
Last fall the State awarded the natural gas distribution services for 30 state-owned facilities in the Augusta area. Maine Natural Gas received 19 awards for distribution services, including the four high-use facilities currently being converted. Summit Natural Gas was awarded 11 facilities. Separate contracts were also awarded for boiler conversions and natural gas supply. DAFS expects to have all facilities online with natural gas prior to the next heating season.