Fall Update: Progress on Natural Gas

2013 will be the first winter that some Homer homes are able to heat with natural gas. A lot of progress has been made laying the many miles of pipe needed to bring gas to homes and businesses in Homer. The trunk line,18 miles of large diameter pipe that brings gas from Homer to the terminus of Kachemak City, is complete. This project was funded by grant dollars from the Alaska State Legislature and a $1 per MCF  tariff on gas for southern peninsula users.

The distribution system is a separate project paid for by property owners through the special assessment district process that lays main extensions in all Homer streets.  This project has been divided into two phases: phase 1  includes the down town core area and phase 2 the outer areas in Homer city limits. Construction on Phase 1 is drawing to a close with just over 1 mile of pipe left to install. Contractor United Technologies Incorporated (UTI) anticipates wrapping up by mid-November. Construction will resume next year on phase 2 as soon as weather allows in the spring. Click here for a map of phase 1 and phase 2.

UTI and Clark Management has been busy installing service lines all summer to fulfill Enstar's promise to hook up every home that applied by July 1, 2013 before the onset of winter. As of October 30, Enstar had 871 service lines installed with 81 left to complete. The remaining lines will be installed before the end of November. The company's goal was to have 1200 meter's sold in the first year; they are close with 1170 meters paid for. Only 200 of those are spinning and consuming gas, though Enstar anticipates more will come on line as homes finalize converting. 

If your home or business has access and is ready for gas (service line installed and conversion complete), schedule a meter set with Enstar to start gas flowing (1-877-907-9767). The Homer office, located at 345 West Pioneer Ave., will be open all winter.