Path cleared for natural gas service to some rural customers

Some rural residents of Union County and Marshall County may have natural gas service available in their homes during 2019.

New Albany Lights, Gas and Water (NALGW) had applied to the Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) for authority to extend natural gas service to about 100 customers in western Union County and eastern Marshall County.

Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley conducted a public hearing on the application Wednesday evening, Aug. 29, at the Union County Courthouse. NALGW Manager Bill Mattox and Jackie Cruise, a civil engineer with Cook Coggin Engineers, testified during the hearing.

Interested citizens listen to proceedings at the Public Service Commission’s natural gas service hearing in New Albany.

Presley questioned Mattox and Cruise about when construction could begin. At the conclusion of the hearing Presley said he would enter an order Thursday, Aug. 30, authorizing the extension of NALGW gas service as requested.

Mattox said about 100 customers would initially receive natural gas service but that “many more” rural customers would eventually be served. Natural gas is much less expensive than “bottled gas” or LPG.

Mattox said construction of new gas lines would start as soon as weather permits after January 1st.

For more information on logistics and possible areas of service: http://nanewsweb.com/psc-natural-gas-hearing-new-albany/