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Montpelier Voting On District Steam Heating System
Publisher:admin  Date:2011/6/19 11:07:31  Click:1139
Some Montpelier city leaders want to run steam pipes from boilers across from the Statehouse to several city buildings and create a municipal central heating system.

Residents vote on a bond Tuesday.

The state is upgrading the boilers they use to heat buildings in the state complex, and Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper said the city wants to tap into the steam lines. She said some businesses along those lines would have the option to tap in.

Hooper said systems like these are common in northern Europe and have been successful in the United States too.

"Fairly common sort of thing to be doing on college campuses and on some corporate sort of campuses," said Hooper.

The mayor said it's a good way to control energy costs and an important step the city can take toward independence from foreign oil.

Hooper said fuel oil savings would offset the cost of the project.

According to the city website, it takes about 100,000 gallons of oil per year to heat municipal buildings. With fuel prices of $3.35 to $3.70 per gallon, that's more than $335,000 to $370,000. The city writes that the costs of its new district plan, including bond, fuel and operating, are expected to be between $305,000 and $331,000.

Critics of the plan said focusing on energy so much is neglecting other city responsibilities.

"Every nickel that we have to spend in the debt service is a nickel that's not available to fix our streets," said Montpelier resident Frederick Cleveland. "So I think there's a very direct relationship, although it isn't instantaneous."

Cleveland and other opponents worry Montpelier taxpayers could get stuck paying for budget shortfalls. They also want to see the plans vetted more thoroughly.

Still, the mayor said that between an $8 million federal grant for this project and $7 million from the state, city taxpayers would be covered if they approve a $2.75 million bond. If it passes, Hooper said more research will be done and a more detailed plan will emerge. Even then, she said the city will only move forward if the bids are within what the city can reasonably afford.

Hooper said that if the vote fails, the city will lose the federal grant and a district heating system will not be proposed again anytime soon.

Montpelier residents begin voting at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
 
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