Maine Natural Gas withdraws Augusta bid
Maine Natural Gas, a Brunswick-based Iberdrola subsidiary, has pulled its bid for a natural gas contract with the city of Augusta amid a larger battle with Summit Natural Gas of Maine over Kennebec Valley turf.
The Portland Press Herald reported the Brunswick company rescinded its bid Tuesday in advance of a meeting Thursday in which Augusta councilors are scheduled to weigh its bid and the competing plan from Summit.
A company official from Maine Natural Gas told the paper the company decided to withdraw the bid after the city posted the bids online in April, which the company said gave an unfair advantage to its competitor.
The decision comes a week after city officials heard a recommendation from consultants about which company to choose. The consultants found benefits of both offerings, but suggested Summit’s higher service goals — to reach 90% of Augusta residents — would be the better choice.
The council will consider only Summit’s bid in its deliberations Thursday, city officials told the paper.
Separately, Summit received approval Tuesday from Waterville officials to install distribution pipelines in that city, according to the Morning Sentinel.
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