Bay State Gas/Northern Utilities are committed to providing our commercial and industrial gas customers the latest news and information about the company and the natural gas industry through Natural Gas Online.

We currently serve over 335,000 commercial, industrial and residential customers in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, and are committed to providing our customers safe, reliable natural gas service.

Through Natural Gas Online, we hope to provide you, our Commercial and Industrial customers, with information and insight into the ever-changing energy marketplace.  As well, we hope you will take advantage of our products, services, and company policies and procedures for a successful result.  Please take some time to review this issue and hopefully you’ll come away with new information you can use today or in the near future.

In This Issue:

	New Technologies –A growing number of companies that operate fleets are moving from traditional diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles to those run by natural gas. They are taking advantage of a variety of available tax incentives to lessen fossil fuel dependency, decrease emissions, and project a positive, environmentally conscious image.
	Success Stories –Portland Maine’s METRO invested in transit buses powered by compressed natural gas nearly 18 months ago. We sat down with Dave Redlefsen, General Manager and Steve Kirby, Director of Finance, to discuss their decision to make the move to natural gas vehicles and get their views on the future of natural gas powered vehicles for metropolitan areas.
	Industry News –The indicators of the natural gas market, namely price, weather, production and consumption, among others, provide users of natural gas with a comprehensive snapshot of the marketplace. The American Gas Association “Natural Gas Market Indicators” report is the authority for these important indicators today.
	Policies & Procedures –When excavating for the installation of mains and gas services, Bay State Gas/Northern Utilities is committed to providing its customers the support they need to prepare trenches according to federal and state code specifications. One tool is a complete guide with step-by-step instructions and diagrams. This guide is available to you via download and is required reading prior to excavating. Improperly excavated trenches can’t be utilized and the installation of the natural gas main or service won’t take place until the proper corrections have been made.

Created by Ferrante & Associates, Inc.

Meet Paul Giguere.
Over three decades
of service

Thirty-two years ago, Paul Giguere began his career at Bay State Gas as a co-op student. Today, Paul serves fifty of Bay State Gas' largest customer accounts. So what characterizes such a noteworthy rise though the ranks? "I enjoy being the face of Bay State Gas with our customers", said Paul.

That dedication to service has earned Paul a position of responsibility to work with many of the company’s largest customers including electric power generating plants, colleges, correctional facilities, and various manufacturing companies.

He manages every facet of each account such as billing, metering, equipment changes, fuel purchasing, conservation, and much more.

Paul continued, "Even though I call on large companies, it is still a people business. There is not only diversity in the types of accounts I call on, but a wide range of people as well. I might be talking to the boiler plant operator in the morning and the President or CEO in the afternoon."

A major objective with Paul’s customers is to find ways to reduce energy use and cost. Paul is ready to work with them to find the right energy saving solutions. "I assist them from doing an informal walkthrough of their plant, to developing performance contracts."

"I think it is important to assist my customers to become more efficient so they can stay competitive in their respective markets." For example, Bay State Gas recently gave two large incentives to two of Paul’s customers. One incentive went to a customer that installed high efficiency burners at their site. "We also provided a significant incentive to a company for their recent food processing plant expansion and renovation", said Paul.

Recently, Paul has been working on three power generation proposals. "Usually, projects like these are once in a lifetime, and I’m working on three of them. It’s extremely interesting", he said. Projects like these are years in the making. They require the close attention of qualified professionals like Paul to see them come to fruition.