Moosehead Breweries is now fuelling its Saint John plant with natural gas, which officials say is better for the environment and the company’s bottom line.

The conversion from Bunker C oil, which was completed last week, will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent, said Troy McLong, a process engineer.

That is the same as eliminating the emissions from 700 cars every year, he said.

It was the top environmental priority for the west side brewery, said McLong.

"Co2 reduction into the atmosphere. That's number one,” he said.

“Anytime you can reduce that carbon footprint that you release into the atmosphere you've done well."

The conversion was done mainly to reduce energy costs, said McLong.

Still, the company is pleased about the emission reductions and is committed to further environmental improvements as long as they're good for business as well, he said.

"I think you're always trying to be green and this falls under that umbrella absolutely."

David Coon, the executive director of the Conservation Council, said converting to natural gas is a step in the right direction.

But it's still a non-renewable energy source that produces pollutants.

In addition, a lot of gas comes from shale deposits that produce large amounts of greenhouse gases, said Coon.

"The key is to move toward renewable sources of energy and heating, and using those like natural gas as efficiently as possible,” he said.