CNG Announces New Natural Gas Franchise in Coventry

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Jan. 12, 2017 — For the first time, natural gas utility service is available in the town of Coventry. Work is under way on a similar expansion in neighboring Bolton.

Connecticut Natural Gas, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), announced on Thursday that it has “gassed up” its new 3.6-mile natural gas main in Coventry, bringing natural gas from the Mansfield line into the center of town, where it will serve seven municipal buildings. Installation of the new main took place this fall and was completed earlier this month.

The new franchise adds to an expanding map for CNG and its Orange-based sister company, Southern Connecticut Gas. CNG introduced service in East Hampton in 2015. SCG added Essex and Deep River to its service territory in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

“We’ve been working hard to make natural gas available to more of the state’s residents, businesses and communities,” said Anthony Marone, president and chief executive officer of UIL Holdings, an AVANGRID subsidiary. “We’re delighted to bring this convenient, affordable and environmentally friendly energy choice to the town of Coventry.”

The new main extends from Mansfield near the University of Connecticut depot campus and follows Route 44, Lewis Hill Road, Eastview Drive, Gardner Tavern Road and Ripley Hill Road to Main Street. It will initially serve Coventry High School, Nathan Hale Middle School, Coventry Town Offices, the Town Hall Annex, Board of Education offices, and the town’s fire and police stations, which are being converted to natural gas as a heating fuel. The switch is projected to save the town approximately $50,000 a year, based on current fuel costs.

Natural gas service will be available this spring to approximately 65 homes that lie along the main’s route. Prospective customers interested in switching to natural gas service should visit connecttogas.com/contact-us or call 866-427-2888.

“Natural gas is a win for Coventry, its business community and its taxpayers. In addition to the favorable cost compared with oil, natural gas prices are stable and predictable, reducing budgetary surprises. Having natural gas available in town also supports our economic development efforts,” Coventry Town Manager John A. Elsesser said.

Coventry was one of two CNG franchise expansion projects initiated in 2016. CNG contractors this fall began construction of a 7-mile main to bring natural gas to neighboring Bolton. That project is expected to be complete this year.

The Bolton main will extend along Route 85 from Hebron to Manchester. It will serve eight municipal buildings in Bolton, as well as the car-care products company Simoniz, and other commercial and residential customers.

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About AVANGRID:
AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with more than $30 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities and electricity generation through two primary lines of business. Avangrid Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.1 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, in states across the United States. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people. The company was formed by a merger between Iberdrola USA and UIL Holdings Corporation in 2015. IBERDROLA S.A. (Madrid: IBE), a worldwide leader in the energy industry, owns 81.5% of AVANGRID. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.