More than 1,100 homes in Brandon and Atlas townships have the potential to be hooked up for natural gas service from Consumers Energy this year and meetings are planned for Jan. 19 and Jan. 26 to discuss the proposed projects with residents.
In order to proceed with the gas main extension project in Brandon Township, at least half of the 800 customers being offered service must sign up to have gas service installed at their homes. In Atlas Township, service will be offered to 300 residences, with 50 percent participation also required.
Meetings with Brandon residents are planned for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Jan. 19, at the Brandon High School Performing Arts Center, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. Residents were designated a specific time due to the high number of invited residents. Meetings with Atlas Township residents are planned for Jan. 26 at the Goodrich Middle School, 7480 S. Gale Road.
This is the second phase of a planned 3-phase gas main extension in Brandon Township. Last month, Consumers Energy completed all gas service installations in phase one, which began in July and included 227 residences on Allen, Reese, Stanton, Sashabaw, Seymour Lake, and Sherwood roads, as well as side streets.
‘Consumers is getting an earlier start this year,? said Township Supervisor Kathy Thurman. ‘Phase two is a much bigger area and they hope to get started with construction in April. I’m just thinking positive of us reaching the goal of having 400 residents sign up. A lot of residents have expressed an interest, it provides a cost savings for them.?
At the meetings, Consumers Energy officials will give a similar presentation to the one given to Brandon Township residents in phase one last spring, explaining the project proposal, costs, and installation plans. A question and answer period follows.
Last year, Consumers officials noted natural gas customers would save $1.35 per gallon versus the cost of propane. Since that time, the average price of propane has fallen to roughly $1.79 per gallon. However, Consumers Energy representative Debra Dodd noted that natural gas prices have also decreased in the past year, continuing a trend that has been occurring for the past few years.
Phase II of the Consumers Energy project in Brandon Township would include the installation of 30 miles of gas main and encompass residences on Perry Lake, Hadley, Granger, Seymour Lake, Hummer Lake, State Park, Glass, and Honert roads, as well as numerous secondary roads.
The first phase of the Atlas Township project will include residences on Vassar, Dutch, Atlas, Irish, Horton, and Baldwin roads, and 15 miles of gas main.