Culver May Get Natural Gas From Texas

Hearing Is Set For October 5

A franchise to serve gas to the people of Culver has been requested by Northern Indiana Public Service Company, George C. McLaughlin, NIPSCO's Plymouth district manager, announced last Thursday.

At a meeting of the Culver Town Board. a preliminary resolution was passed setting the exact form of the franchise and selecting Oct. 5 as the date when final consideration will be given the franchise in a public hearing.

Nipsco's Expansion Program

In announcing the request, MeLaughlin said. "This is a part of a two-year expansion program now being planned by NIPSCO. and has been made possible by the obtaining of an additional supply of gas from the Midwestern Gas Transmission Company of Houston, Texas."

He said NIPSCO has a 20-year contract with Midwestern to purchase 200 million cubic feet of gas per day to be delivered in three primary increments about 100 million cubic feet per day the first year; 145 million cubic feet the second year; and up to 200 million cubic feet per day the third year and continuing thereafter.

Will Attract Industry

"With this additional supply of gas," McLaughlin said. "NIPSCO can now offer gas service to many of the cities and towns not previously served by the company, thus opening The way for community growth and new industrial expansion." At the meeting it was revealed that engineering studies are already under way by the utility to determine the design of a gas distribution system that will be most suitable for Culver.

It was also revealed that under the two-year program, a gas transmission line would be laid connecting Culver to NIPSCO's present gas transmission system. and a complete gas distribution system would be installed in the community.

Prompt Action Urged

At the meeting McLaughlin pointed out that NIPSCO can supply gas to this and other areas not now served by the utility without going through any additional regulatory channels since NIPSCO's contract to purchase gas from Midwestern has already received the approval of the Federal Power Commission.

He urged prompt action by the Culver Town Board, so as to hasten the time when natural gas, the miracle fuel can be made available to the people of this area. - Sep 9 1959 - Citizen