Chesapeake Utilities pitches gas expansion in Milton

Chesapeake Utilities wants to know if Milton residents want to expand natural gas service into town.

The utility service is planning a 9,400-square-foot gas main extension from Route 16 to H.O. Brittingham Elementary School. Chesapeake Utilities Business Development Manager Dean Holden said the extension will allow the company to expand to residential and commercial customers along Mulberry and Union streets. Holden said the main would be directionally drilled to cause as little disturbance as possible. The main should be completed this summer and could serve customers adjacent to the line, he said.

Holden said Chesapeake is surveying residents and businesses along the route to see if they would like to tie in.

Residents who tie in could convert their heating and appliances to natural gas. Holden said Chesapeake Utilities gets its gas from multiple pipelines, one in the Gulf of Mexico and another in the shale regions of Pennsylvania and Ohio.  

“We are hopeful the opportunity we had to speak at the council meeting and the pending survey will help us identify sufficient interest,” Holden said.

Mayor Ted Kanakos said Chesapeake Utilities’ expansion is a great idea that can provide a cheaper and more convenient form of power. Chesapeake Utilities already provides natural gas service to residents of Heritage Creek and at Dogfish Head Brewery; Kanakos said natural gas saves those residents $1,000 per year compared to propane. He said Chesapeake Utilities may next look to expand service to Milton Elementary School, on the same side of town as Dogfish Head.

“I wish I had it,” Kanakos said.