BANGOR, Maine — Gas from an Old Town landfill could provide fuel for the University of Maine’s steam plant as early as next fall, saving the school $13 million to $17 million and reducing its carbon footprint by more than 40 percent over the next two decades after trustees for the University of Maine System approved the plan Monday.
The UMS board of trustees authorized the state’s flagship campus to conclude negotiations with Casella Waste Systems Inc., which operates the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill.
“The board’s ratification represents an important step as we continue to explore this energy source as a long-term option,” Janet Waldron, UMaine’s vice president for administration and finance, said in a statement issued after the board’s vote. “As a public university, we are always looking for ways to reduce fixed costs. This abundant supply of a renewable energy option so close to our campus represents a real opportunity to create a predictable, relatively inexpensive means to power our steam plant for many years to come.”
Gas generated at the landfill on Penny Road in Old Town would travel to the UMaine steam plant, located on College Avenue, through a pipeline approximately 7 miles long, according to Waldron. If the negotiations result in a formal agreement, Casella would construct and install the pipeline after regulatory approval for the project is obtained, she told trustees. No cost estimate for the project was available.
Last month, Old Town officials expressed disappointment when the city did not receive a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help fund the pipeline.
Waldron estimated that in addition to providing a substantial and stable supply of energy at a discount rate, an agreement with Casella would result in a 30,000-ton decrease annually in the university’s carbon footprint. That is equal to taking 5,700 motor vehicles off the road, she said.
Before the approval for the landfill pipeline will be considered by the Public Utilities Commission, natural gas pipelines most likely will be installed on campus, according to Michael Swartz, energy and utility manager for UMaine. Bangor Gas is expected to provide service to four campus buildings, which now are heated either by heating oil or propane.The buildings that will be converted to natural gas are the Service Building, Keyo Building, Libby Hall and the Mahaney Dome, Swartz said. Construction for the natural gas lines is scheduled to begin this fall.
In addition to the pipeline construction, trustees Monday approved $3.7 million in additional funds for the renovation of Stewart Commons for studio art programs and a New Media complex. Last year, the board authorized nearly $5.6 million for the project. The cost of the renovations rose to $9.3 million due to the discovery of hidden hazardous building materials and a need to improve the structural integrity of the building, according to information provided to the trustees.
For the state’s northernmost campus, trustees approved a reorganization plan that creates a new Office of Student Success and Retention under the dean of students, who will be responsible for student affairs, at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Admissions, student records, financial aid and student success and retention would fall under the new Dean of Enrollment Management. Those duties were previously divided among the dean of students and two vice-presidents.
UMFK President Wilson Hess said Monday the new position was the result of the campus’ strategic planning process. It would be funded for two years with UMS Strategic Initiatives Funds. Hess said the creation of the new position was “perfectly aligned” with the board’s support for a systemwide enrollment management sys-tem.
Trustees also voted to accept ownership of the Fort Kent Armory from the Military Bureau so it can be put to use at UMFK. The Legislature approved a bill to allow the transfer earlier this year.
The university occupies buildings along a stretch of Pleasant Street in Fort Kent, including former residence and office buildings, according to a previously published story. Going south from the campus along the street are the community high school and the elementary school.
The armory, built in 1957 between the university and high school, is the only building in that half-mile stretch not related to education. How the building will be used has not been determined. Earlier this year former UMFK President Richard Cost said it could be used for storage, recreation and athletic events and classroom space.
In other business, trustees approved:
ä a new program at the University of Southern Maine to provide a doctorate degree in nursing practice and the creation of a chief operating officer position at USM.
ä a $3 million renovation project of the dental clinic at University College at Bangor.
Freelance writer Julia Bayly contributed to this report.