WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – The Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) applauds the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills for its adoption of an ordinance supporting the District’s Energy Choice initiative. This action will help ensure that current and future homeowners have greater flexibility when selecting the energy sources that best meet their needs.
The ordinance, which was formally adopted at the Town Council’s Monday, Oct. 12 meeting, establishes development standards for natural gas infrastructure in new subdivisions and re-subdivided areas. The measure addresses the installation of natural gas lines, developer responsibilities for infrastructure costs and opportunities for cost-sharing associated with extending natural gas mains.
The ordinance represents an important step toward preserving Energy Choice as Howey-in-the-Hills continues to grow, allowing natural gas to be considered alongside other available energy sources. This is now the fourth such ordinance passed in the region, joining the cities of Apopka, Winter Garden and Clermont.
“Energy Choice is about giving people options, not telling them what energy source they must use,” said Lake Apopka Natural Gas District General Manager and CEO Brent E. Haywood, P.E. “We thank the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills for recognizing that decisions made today about infrastructure can have a lasting impact on homeowners tomorrow. By planning for natural gas infrastructure as new communities are developed, we can help ensure that residents have the freedom to choose the energy solutions that work best for their families, their homes and their budgets.”
Benefits for New Homebuyers
For individuals and families purchasing newly constructed homes, the ordinance provides an opportunity to have natural gas infrastructure incorporated into residential developments during the initial construction process.
Installing natural gas infrastructure as neighborhoods are developed can reduce the need for costly and disruptive installation projects in the future. More importantly, it allows prospective homeowners to consider natural gas for appliances such as water heaters, cooking ranges, clothes dryers, fireplaces and outdoor living amenities.
The ordinance does not mandate that homeowners purchase natural gas appliances or connect to natural gas service. Rather, it helps preserve the opportunity to make those decisions based on individual preferences and household needs.
Potential Opportunities for Existing Homeowners
While the ordinance primarily addresses new development, it may also create opportunities for residents of established neighborhoods who currently do not have access to natural gas service.
As natural gas mains are extended to serve new subdivisions, those infrastructure improvements could potentially bring service closer to existing residential areas. Depending on the location of new gas lines, engineering requirements and the feasibility of additional extensions, some existing homeowners may eventually have the opportunity to connect to the District’s natural gas system.
“This is about more than providing natural gas service to new subdivisions,” Haywood added. “As we work with the Town and developers to expand our infrastructure, we may also create opportunities for families who have lived in Howey-in-the-Hills for years to consider natural gas for the first time. While service availability will depend on several factors, this ordinance creates a framework for exploring those possibilities as the community continues to grow.”
Residents interested in learning more about natural gas and determining whether service is available or potentially feasible at their property can visit www.langd.org.
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About Lake Apopka Natural Gas District: Established in 1959, the District is an independent special district of Florida created to meet the region’s growing energy needs. Governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, the District current serves approximately 31,000 customers in portions of Orange and Lake counties. Our Vision is to be the CHOICE of consumers for energy services within our service territory; our Mission is to provide safe, reliable, compliant and competitive natural gas energy services with a commitment to exceptional customer service, employee engagement and improving the quality of life throughout the communities we serve. Learn more at www.langd.org