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                         July 19, 2002

Academy to replace oil-burning boilers

West Point is in the process of replacing its old heavy oil boilers with newer, cleaner-running, gas-fired boilers.

The new units will provide more than 60 percent of the post with steam service for heating, hot water and other services, said Don Michaud, the department of housing and public works chief of utilities and facilities division here.

"This project began as an addition to the existing gas line extending here from Cornwall," Michaud explained. "We decided we may as well use the opportunity to replace our 36-year-old oil boilers.

It could also lead to a "no-oil" post.

"With the addition of a larger gas pipe, we can supply most of West Point without using oil at all," Michaud added.

The $14.8 million project is part of an energy efficiency improvement program. The program, Michaud said, is designed to provide enough gas for current power needs and also provide fuel for the new boilers.

The conversion to gas will enable the USMA Central Power Plant to operate with significantly less air emissions, and eliminate the need for fuel oil transfer from barges on the Hudson River, Michaud said.

"It will also reduce operating costs," he added.

The gas line will be completed by late fall of this year and the first of the two gas boilers will be fired and operational by September.