BUCKSPORT — Voters may be asked in June to approve a financial commitment of more than a quarter-million dollars in order to expand natural gas service.

Bangor Gas announced last year it was considering expanding its natural gas line in Bucksport, allowing private residences, the town’s schools and other facilities to hook in.

The utility is regulated by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and Bucksport Economic Development Director Dave Milan said one of the things the PUC regulates is a utility’s return on investment.

In order to get its required return on investment, the company’s planned expansion requires a financial commitment from the town.

When an agreement was reached between Bangor Gas and the town last year, according to Town Manager Roger Raymond, Bucksport’s contribution was estimated at $240,000.

Milan said the company’s projections have changed, though, and he has estimated the town’s required contribution is now around $290,000.

The significance of that $50,000 difference is that the town must seek voter approval for expenditures over a certain level.

At the April 12 Town Council meeting, Raymond said “$250,000 is the magic number.”

The town has money set aside in a reserve account for the project, according to Milan, so whatever the final figure is it will not require new money from taxpayers.

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