GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Clay County officials attended a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning to celebrate the upcoming installation of a pipeline that will provide natural gas to businesses and residents in Green Cove Springs as well as surrounding areas.
TECO Peoples Gas invested $10.5 million in the project, and partnered with SeaCoast Gas Transmission to bring natural gas distribution to the communities.
"We here in Green Cove Springs have more undeveloped industrial property than any other part of Clay County, and having natural gas here is going to be an enhancement to all of the people we hope to attract in the manufacturing community," said Green Cove Springs Mayor Pam Lewis.
SeaCoast will install nearly 10 miles of pipe, and TECO will install 13 miles of pipe, which will extend the existing natural gas line that serves JEA's Greenland powerplant in Duval County.
The pipeline will bring cheaper, more efficient and cleaner energy along State Roads 15 and 16.
"We have an area that's suited very well for industrial business, and it's somewhat developing, but with a natural gasline, it's going to give us an economic push that'll take it to the next level," said Chairwoman Diane Hutchings, of the Clay Commission.
Clay County officials said they hope natural gas attracts more businesses and developers, which will lead to more jobs.
"We're going to have the opportunity to stay in Clay County and work and make a wonderful living, and just thrive right here at home instead of having to leave home everyday and go somewhere else to work," Hutchings said.
TECO expects its larger commercial customers to have access to natural gas by the end of this year. Smaller businesses and residential areas will have access in the next couple of years, TECO said.