SCG Introduces Natural Gas Service in Deep River

Natural gas service has arrived in Deep River, Connecticut.

The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, a subsidiary of UIL Holdings Corporation (NYSE: UIL), announced that the environmentally friendly fuel started flowing through 4 miles of new gas main that was recently extended into the town.

It’s the first time natural gas utility service has been available in Deep River. It will initially serve several municipal buildings, along with commercial, industrial and residential customers along its route. Deep River is the second new SCG franchise territory in as many years: Last year, the company introduced natural gas service in neighboring Essex.

“We’re proud to be part of Deep River, and we’re proud to offer a new, affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly energy choice for residents and businesses along the route of this new facility,” said James P. Torgerson, UIL’s president and chief executive officer.

The new natural gas main enters Deep River at the Essex border and follows Route 154 into the center of town, with spurs extending along Bridge and River streets.

The town itself will be among the first customers to receive natural gas service, having signed contracts with SCG to use natural gas to heat Town Hall and the Deep River Elementary School, as well as the public library, the town fire museum and the Deep River Historical Society. Other “anchor” customers include Silgan Plastics, Adams Hometown Market and PCI Medical, Inc.

The new natural gas facilities also make natural gas an option for approximately 230 homes and another 70 local businesses in both Deep River and Essex.

The project is possible thanks to Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy, which was proposed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and adopted in 2013. The strategy has facilitated natural gas expansion projects by lowering economic barriers they must clear in order to be considered economically viable without significant upfront customer contributions. It seeks to convert a total of 280,000 new natural gas heating customers statewide by 2023, among other goals.

In addition to the new SCG franchises in Deep River and Essex, SCG’s sister company,Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, recently introduced natural gas service for the first time in East Hampton, Connecticut.

SCG customers who are interested in receiving clean, convenient natural gas service can visit soconngas.com and click “convert to natural gas” to learn if it will be available in their area.