By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels
Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 6/12/20.
The construction phase of a $6.2 million project to bring natural gas to Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) customers in the Talavera Subdivision began in August 2019. Now the very first customer is connected and pleased that he can finally connect the swimming pool, appliances, fireplace, outdoor grill, and fire pit to natural gas.
Jeremy McGarvey, owner of Renegade Construction, has professional experience working with natural gas, and is very clear about the benefits for homeowners. “Natural gas is abundant and clean energy…while propane is more expensive and the propane tanks can be an eyesore,” said McGarvey. “We couldn’t wait to hook up our pool because we will save so much compared to propane. We also have a firepit and grill that we hadn’t converted or connected to propane, just waiting for the natural gas line to make it out to our area.”
He explained that his experience connecting to the LCU low pressure gas lines was easy, and he’s sharing that information with neighbors, “Some neighbors worry about their landscaping, but LCU works with you to make sure things get back to normal; we had a great experience.”
“We’re starting to connect our natural gas to homes in the Talavera neighborhood,” said Carl Clark, LCU deputy director Environmental & Technical Support. Residents who want to get on the list should move quickly to take advantage of the gas main extension allowance available now to help pay connection costs. For more information about natural gas connection costs visit http://www.las-cruces.org/2039/Talavera-Natural-Gas-Service-Expansion or call Customer Central at (575) 541-2111.
LCU can be reached at 575-528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. LCU provides services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.
CAPTION: PHOTO 1: The McGarvey family is happy to have their pool and appliances connected to natural gas supplied by LCU. Jeremy McGarvey is the very first customer in the Talavera Subdivision (behind A Mountain) to be connected to LCU natural gas.