The United States has the largest integrated pipeline system in the world. The safe delivery of natural gas to the millions of American who rely on it every day is our top priority, and America’s natural gas utilities are taking action to further improve the safety of our natural gas distribution and intrastate transmission systems.

In October 2011, AGA unveiled its “Commitment to Enhancing Safety,” which outlined the industry’s continued commitment to improving pipeline safety.  We have released an update to that commitment detailing actions that are being addressed by AGA or individual operators that go above and beyond current regulation to help ensure the safe and reliable operation of the nation’s 2.4 million miles of pipeline.

“This document and the actions it lays out are another step in our ongoing mission to operate one of the safest energy delivery systems in the world,” said AGA President and CEO Dave McCurdy.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has emphasized the need to continually focus on safety, and we agree. This is a paramount priority. Natural gas utilities are founded on principles of community stewardship and consistently work to advance the safety of our industry. AGA holds widely attended safety summits throughout the nation and supported the “Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act” which became law at the beginning of this year.

You can view the updated “Commitment to Enhancing Safety” here, and you can learn more about AGA’s other safety initiatives here.

Over the course of one month, 2101 people attended American Gas Association conferences held in four cities throughout the United States.

At the AGA Customer Service Conference in Fort Worth, TX, there was great interest surrounding the topics of customer engagement and customer experience. The general session included a thought-provoking presentation from Chuck Underwood on how to engage with customers from different generations. Breakout sessions covered areas such as call centers, credit and collection, billing and payment, low income and energy assistance, meter reading, field service, revenue protection, commercial and industrial account management, and energy efficiency.

AGA held its annual Legislative Forum in Miami, FL. Participating AGA member company representatives heard from a diverse group of panelists who discussed topics ranging from the near and long term natural gas supply pictures to AGA’s advocacy priorities and how they will fit within the context of a variety of election outcomes.

The AGA Operations Conference was held this year in San Francisco, CA and was the best attended Operations Conference (in a non-exhibit year) for more than two decades. AGA tweeted live from the event. Nick Stavropoulos from Pacific Gas and Electric Company welcomed everyone to San Francisco and kicked the conference off with a heartfelt speech about his commitment to the future of PG&E and the safety of its customers and community.  AGA members showcased the work the work they are doing to keep the natural gas industry growing and moving forward. The list of conference topics was both wide and varied and demonstrated the broad interests and needs of America’s natural gas utilities. The conference covered pipeline safety, gas quality assessments, measurement advances, environmental management, supply operations and more.

Standing room only the General Session of the AGA Operations Conference

The AGA Financial Forum in Scottsdale, AZ featured technical workshops, one-on-one company meetings, organized company dinners, breakfast visitation tables, formal company presentations, and general session industry presentations.  Executives from 39 AGA publicly traded member companies participated along with over 220 members from the financial community.

In June, AGA members and staff will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to attend the World Gas Conference. The theme of the conference will be “Gas: Sustaining Future Global Growth” and cover topics such as sustainability, efficiencies in natural gas, the impact of geopolitics on natural gas market, development and unconventional gas.

Preparations have begun for next year’s events including the 17^th International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG 17).  AGA will bring strategic and commercial leaders and technical experts together in Houston, TX for four days of sessions, workshops and tours of world-leading liquefied natural gas facilities.

America’s natural gas utilities are leading a global conversation about natural gas as the foundation fuel for generations to come.

Here are a few highlights from a successful National Safe Digging Month:

• 22 governors issued National Safe Digging Month Proclamations

• The U.S. Department of Transportation released a new public service announcement

• Common Ground Alliance created a video celebrating the five year anniversary of the Call 811 Before You Dig campaign.

America’s natural gas utilities are working with national state and local governments and leaders in the pipeline and construction industries to promote safe digging year round.

Visit call811.com.  Take the 811 Promise. Call before you dig.