From staff reports

Representatives from the University of New England say they are now in “early conversations” with Biddeford city officials about the possibility of extending a natural gas line from the city’s downtown area, along the Rte. 9 corridor, to the school’s Biddeford campus.

A UNE spokesperson said the potential infrastructure project could bring significant benefits to the broader Biddeford community.

According to Sarah Delage, associate vice president of communications at UNE, the university is now “exploring the possibility” of partnering with Unitil – an industrial, commercial and residential provider of natural gas — to extend the natural gas main from downtown to the UNE campus.

The potential project first came to light during Tuesday’s city council meeting when City Manager Truc Dever mentioned the potential project during her regular update report to the council.

In a recent press release, Delage said the university is proactively sharing information with city officials and the media at the outset of the project to ensure transparency and to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Delage said the project supports UNE’s long-term goals of reducing its carbon footprint and improving operational sustainability.

She also said the potential community benefits are “equally compelling.”

“Extending the natural gas line along Route 9 would meaningfully reduce heavy fuel delivery truck traffic through the corridor,” Delage wrote in a statement issued to local media outlets earlier this week.

Delage said the natural gas line extension could be made available for homes and businesses along Rte. 9 — potentially expanding access to natural gas service for the surrounding community.

“We look forward to continued conversations and potential collaboration on this project,” Delage said.

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