Published September 4, 2019
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) and its Board of Commissioners have issued a moratorium on the installation of natural gas services to multi-family homes, apartment buildings and condominium buildings. The moratorium will not affect single family homes, and new restaurants in multi-use buildings will be allowed natural gas cooking service only.
The temporary measure is necessary to ensure adequate service to WMGLD customers, especially during times of peak consumption, according to WMGLD General Manager Pete Dion. The move will also help the WMGLD manage the increasing costs of natural gas during peak times.
“The volume of gas used during peak heating times in the region has increased over the past several years, while the supply capacity into the New England region has not,” the general manager said. “The availability of gas on the coldest peak winter days is becoming an issue and driving costs much higher. At this time, we can not add more multi-family gas heat customers as it just adds to the problem. Fortunately, there are more and more cost-effective alternatives like heat pumps that we will be encouraging and supporting in the coming months to reduce the impact of this change on our customers.”
“The WMGLD will review the status of the natural gas supply into our region and the need for the moratorium as we move forward,” General Manager Dion added.
Information about the multi-family natural gas installation moratorium can be obtained by contacting the WMGLD at 781-246-6363.
