The City of Douglas observed National Gas Utility Workers’ Day on Monday, March 18, 2019. This is the fourth year in which Gas Utility Workers’ Day has been officially celebrated across the country. This day of recognition is a time when communities such as ours give recognition to the employees who provide one of their most valuable assets—their natural gas utility.
This annual nationwide event is intended to build public awareness about the hard work performed by the employees of natural gas utilities. The official Gas Utility Workers’ Day is March 18 because that is the date of the New London, Texas school explosion in 1937 that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety. Safety is a vital aspect to natural gas distribution and the employees of distribution companies endeavor to make natural gas delivery as safe as possible.
Since 1962, the Natural Gas Department has been supplying natural gas in the city and Coffee County. The responsibilities of the Natural Gas Department include conducting a variety of surveys and inspections, selling and servicing gas appliances, and supplying natural gas to customers.
Over the last 4 years, Natural Gas agricultural loads have grown significantly and commercial loads have remained steady. The gas division currently services 52 chicken houses, 4 peanut drying operations, 2 cotton gins, 25 tobacco barns, 4 green houses for farming operations, 3 corn dryers, vineyard operation, pecan dryer, and natural gas generator to run irrigation on a pecan orchard. In addition to these new customers, the natural gas department services 14 industrial customers, 280 commercial, and 1170 residential customers. To continue to provide safe service, the peak shaving plant has undergone an overhaul with equipment upgrades. Natural Gas line extensions were made for the Premium Peanut Oil operation and for Elixir’s Anodizing facility. The City of Douglas constructed a Compressed Natural Gas Station in 2014. The Compressed Natural Gas station is running on average about 8100 GGE’s per month which produces $20,250.00 revenue and the loan for the CNG station loan has been paid in full.
The City of Douglas looks forward to continuing to bring safe, reliable natural gas into homes and businesses. As the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas can help achieve energy security and build a more competitive economy. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of natural gas and how your natural gas system works, please contact us at (912) 389-3427.