POCONO TOWNSHIP -- Governor Tom Corbett stopped by Monroe County Monday to recognize one of the county's largest employers for converting to natural gas.
Sanofi Pasteur is the first to benefit from a recent natural gas pipeline project in the Poconos.
Governor Corbett stopped by Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater, known for making vaccines, to let everyone there know Sanofi's conversion to natural gas means a boost to the local economy.
"If you take the natural gas line, you're going to be able to see other companies tap into that natural gas line all along this way. It's going to be an economic stimulus through our own natural resources," said Governor Corbett.
The company started converting to natural gas in May. That's when a $16 million, state-funded, natural gas pipeline project was fully installed.
The new pipeline taps into a line at the Arcadia North Business Park, just north of Mount Pocono. That line gets natural gas from an east coast pipeline.
The new extension, completed in May, weaves in and out of Route 611 going south and ending at Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater.
The reason for Sanofi Pasteur converting to natural gas is because company officials say it's less expensive than oil.They estimate in one year, they could save up to $4 million on utility bills.
It's an example like that which has the Pocono Mountain Regional EMS interested in tapping into the new pipeline.
"Right now we utilize fuel oil, heating oil. If I can save some money, for us, my clients, people in the area, hey, I'll do it," said Austin Grammes, the Pocono Mountain Regional EMS Business Manager.
UGI gas company officials say representatives will start contacting other businesses about converting to natural gas.
So far, Sanofi Pasteur is the only business benefiting from that natural gas line project.