Summit Announces Multi-Million Dollar Spring Expansion to Farmingdale

This project will bring natural gas access to Farmingdale and create jobs at a time of economic downturn

May 6, 2020

FARMINGDALE, ME – Summit Natural Gas of Maine (Summit) is breaking ground on a $3 million expansion project to Farmingdale this spring. The project will bring reliable and clean-burning natural gas to residential and commercial customers in the community, allowing many of them to convert from oil to cleaner burning natural gas.

“When it comes to energy, the peace of mind of a reliable fuel source is important, which is why we are excited to be bringing natural gas to Farmingdale. With natural gas, you pay only for what you use and, unlike other fuel sources, it’s delivered directly to your home or business so it’s there when you need it,” said Summit’s Lead Commercial Sales Representative Skye Austin. “I continually hear from businesses that access to natural gas is one of their key considerations when choosing where to locate. We look forward to partnering with the town of Farmingdale to help strengthen its local economy and put Mainers to work, while reducing emissions by providing businesses and residents a lower emission fuel alternative.”

To help lower the cost of converting to natural gas, Summit and the Efficiency Maine Trust presently offer rebates and incentives of up to $3400 for residential customers and up to $6650 for commercial customers. Because of the disruption caused by COVID-19, Summit has extended their deadline for rebates until June 30 and has implemented new protocols to protect the health and safety of the community, customers and team members.

“At Summit, safety is first and foremost in our minds, whether we are responding to a customer call, interacting with team members in our offices, volunteering in our communities or installing new systems,” said Austin. “In recent months, we’ve implemented new safety procedures for our team members in the field to guard against COVID-19, including enhancing personal protective equipment when required and instituting social distancing.”

Portions of this project will be done at night to limit impact to traffic flow, enhance safety and limit interaction with community members. Summit is partnering with a construction company, Ferreira, on the expansion. Ferreira has committed to hiring field personnel local to the area to complete the project.

This is one of many expansion projects Summit has planned this summer. In total, Summit plans to invest up to $10 million in expansion projects in 2020. In addition to expanding to Falmouth, the company plans to expand access to natural gas in its Cumberland, Falmouth and Yarmouth service territories.

Since coming to Maine eight years ago, Summit has invested more than $360 million to build more than 280 miles of distribution pipe throughout the state. Summit provides natural gas to thousands of residents and most of the schools, colleges, hospitals and municipal buildings in its service areas.

If you are interested in converting to natural gas, please call Summit at 1-800-909-7642 Ext. 6.