BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP -- We got an update Tuesday on the effort to bring natural gas service to homes and businesses in Susquehanna County, and how much people are saving who have been able to switch to natural gas heat and hot water since costs are so low.
Natural gas coming from the Marcellus Shale in Susquehanna County has been flowing from under the ground to homes and businesses there for a couple years and saving people money.
"I was the first one on the bandwagon," said John Cherundolo of Bridgewater Township. "I kept calling. I wanted to hook up as soon as possible because the propane was just too large a bill every month."
Cherundolo hooked up to the first line run to homes and businesses by Leatherstocking Natural Gas Company near Montrose.
Two years ago, they started providing gas to the first homes in the county.
Cherundolo came to an event Tuesday with Leatherstocking and Cabot Oil and Gas, meant to update the progress of that project. He came to say how much he's saving, more than $100 a month.
"It only took me about 15 months to recoup the money that I had laid out to change the infrastructure in my home, to switch from the propane delivery system to natural gas delivery system."
The people living in a new low-income housing complex near Montrose -- The Meadows at Tiffany Pines – are also seeing savings.
"Families, seniors are living here, saving 30 to 35 percent on their heating bills and it's a positive," said Dennis Phelps of Trehab.
The charity Susquehanna County Interfaith says a new, larger thrift store was possible because of natural gas service.
"Part of the reason we were able to do so was because it is heated by natural gas and we knew we would be able to afford that," said Cindy Beeman, Susquehanna County Interfaith.
At one of its facilities, Leatherstocking Natural Gas told us about plans to run more lines, adding more customers in Montrose, in the Elk Lake and Dimock areas, along with New Milford.
Right now it has 270 homes and businesses hooked up. The plan is for 2,000 within five years.
"But none of it would happen if there wasn't low cost, locally produced, abundant natural gas," said Russ Miller, Leatherstocking Natural Gas.
A spokesman for Cabot oil and Gas also pointed out that natural gas customers in other parts of our area are saving a lot because they are also getting Marcellus Shale gas for heat.
