Natural Gas Distribution System
Natural gas is piped to UNH by our "local distribution company" (LDC), Northern Utilities. The Northern Utilities pipeline system runs from Portsmouth to Dover, and then down Route 108 to Durham. The natural gas industry was deregulated a few years ago. As a result, we pay our LCD to deliver our gas through the local pipeline, but we are free to purchase that gas from any company with the ability to transport gas to New Hampshire.
We currently engage the services of a gas marketing company to watch the market and purchase our gas for us in the most economical manner. Our marketer may purchase gas "futures" for us when prices are low. On the other hand, when prices are high the marketer may advise waiting before we "lock in" a price for our future gas deliveries.
Most of our natural gas is piped to the Central Heating Plant. From that location, it is either burned in the Heating Plant boilers or distributed through an underground piping system to campus buildings. Some buildings not connected to our underground gas piping system are tapped off the Northern Utilities gas main as it travels through campus.
