City signs deal with Enbridge to install natural gas in several buildings

A11

By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
Canadaeast News Service

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FREDERICTON - The City of Fredericton hopes to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 131 tonnes per year by converting more of its oil-fired boilers to natural gas or radiant tube heaters.

This despite the fact the city's efforts to switch over other properties to natural gas have been nothing short of a gigantic headache.

This time, however, the city has decided to ink a deal with Enbridge Gas New Brunswick rather than private contractors operating in the natural gas conversion field.

Council expects it will take seven years to recoup its $81,894 investment in the project, but it has opted for a warranty and turnkey installation package directly from Enbridge Gas.

"The city has had numerous problems on all conversion projects, including problems with warranty service, late deliveries, lack of heat and back order problems," according to a report from the city's asset management division manager, Bob Cormier.

"Some subcontractors and general contractors have gone out of business and most frustrating has been a general lack of knowledge and vendor experience in the field of natural gas conservations in New Brunswick," Cormier said.

Enbridge Gas has had to come in to review the work done by contractors and subcontractors to even verify whether gas can be turned on.

"We are still encountering problems at some of the converted buildings regarding the proper operation of these heating units," Cormier said.

It took 10 months for the city to try to get two natural gas boilers at the Kimble Road fire station converted to natural gas.

That job is now completed, but not before the city had to turn to an out-of-town company to get the work finished.

"That job is now complete. We've had other conversions in the past that we've done and shortly after the job was completed, the companies were no longer around," he said.

Brian Phillips, the city's property services manager, says he'll be keeping a close eye on the new project and is confident Enbridge Gas will get the work done.

It's in the city's best interest to use Enbridge Gas for the time being. "Enbridge is giving us a turnkey solution where they're going to do the design and there's also an incentive for them. Enbridge is not interested in making a profit on the installation. They're interested in getting natural gas going," Phillips said. Under the new deal with Enbridge Gas, the city will have oil-fire boilers replaced at three public buildings, including a fire station and public works building.