Natural Gas Fever.

Focus: Energy piece on natural gas. Only 4% of homes in Maine are heated with natural gas, compared to 51% nationwide, but cost savings of up to 50% in converting from oil to pipeline natural gas mean that many more homes and businesses are making the switch. Several paper mills, including UPM Madison, have converted from oil to compressed to liquified and now to pipeline natural gas. UPM Madison\u27s General Manager, Russ Drechsel, says the mill\u27s bottom line has improved dramatically and that emissions have fallen off significantly. The New England delivery network remains one area of concern, but new legislation aimed at partial financing of pipeline construction could help. Companies like Maine Natural Gas and Summit Natural Gas are preparing for growth over the next few years