The city will ask Norwich voters Nov. 4 to authorize the bonding necessary to continue the Norwich Public Utilities' (NPU) natural gas expansion project. City voters, who have backed the program twice before, should do so again.

Because of referendum approvals in 2010 and 2012, the municipally owned utility has added 16 miles of new gas mains, extended gas service to 1,200 new residential and business customers. To pay for the expansion the city has issued $11 million in bonds, as authorized by the two referendum votes.

The expansion of gas services has not cost city taxpayers a dime. Instead, new natural gas revenues are paying for the expansion project cost.

Now the city is asking for authorization to invest another $9.5 million, which could nearly double the expansion seen so far. Following past practices, NPU - to assure it will have the revenue necessary to pay extension costs - will only extend gas lines into neighborhoods after enough property owners have committed to gas conversion.

The utility will not force anyone to convert to natural gas.

While not costing taxpayers anything, continued expansion will boost revenues to the city. NPU returns 10 percent of all revenues from gas, electric and water service to the general fund. More gas customers means more revenue for NPU and more money returned to the city to pay for services.

Due to increased domestic production, natural gas is currently less expensive than using oil or electric heat. While fuel oil prices have trended down of late, industry projections show natural gas remaining the less expensive choice well into the future. NPU will continue to offer various incentives and assistance programs to make conversion to natural gas for heating fiscally feasible for home and business owners.

Natural gas also burns cleaner than oil and gives off fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

NPU has full ownership of the gas distribution system in the city and exclusive franchise rights within Norwich.

To the question - "Shall the $9,500,000 appropriation and general obligation bond issuance authorization for the extension of natural gas lines in the City's service franchise area … be approved?" - The Day recommends a "yes" vote.