Bradford Regional Airport will receive $15,000 in state grant
funding to help with the cost of installing a natural gas pipeline
to the facility.

The announcement was made Tuesday by Gov. Ed Rendell’s
office.

Bradford Regional was one of nine airports across the state to
receive a portion of the $3 million in airport development funding
through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of
Aviation for such projects as the rehabilitation of airport
pavement and construction and improvement of utility
infrastructure.

Airport officials said the pipeline was recently hooked up and
activated, allowing the airport to receive 200,000 cubic feet of
free natural gas a year, which will help lower costs and its bottom
line. Additional gas may be purchased at wellhead rates.

“It’s a relatively small grant, but will really help with out
operational costs,” Airport Director Tom Frungillo said Tuesday.
“It will help in our capital budget.”

There was no word on just how much of a savings the airport will
realize, in part, because the budget is just starting to be
crafted.

In January, airport officials revealed that a natural gas
pipeline which runs along Route 59 would be extended to the
airport’s terminal area, helping cut high natural gas costs. At
that time, Frungillo said the airport was receiving 100,000 cubic
feet of natural gas free each year because it has 37 oil and gas
wells in production on its property.

The oil and gas revenue has been used to balance the airport’s
budget, thus reducing subsidies for the facility by 21 percent five
years ago; those subsidies have remained the same since that point,
according to Frungillo.

The airport uses Columbia Gas, and was spending $3,000 to $4,000
a month on natural gas expenses, Frungillo said.

Oil and gas wells are a major source of revenue for the airport,
with the first well being drilling in the fall of 2002. Each well
is approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection and
the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to Frungillo, the state grant was a 75/25 match,
meaning the state paid for 75 percent of the roughly $20,000
natural gas extension project, while the airport dished out 25
percent, or $5,000.

“It’s a real competitive grant,” Frungillo said.

Frungillo said the airport will still be able to switch back to
Columbia Gas if necessary.

“We will still be paying a minimal service fee our (natural gas)
meter,” Frungillo said, noting if there is a disruption in service
with its new pipeline, the airport has the ability to return to
Columbia’s service by turning a switch.

In addition to its natural gas service, the airport has also
gained municipal water service and is waiting to go online with
sewer service soon.