Monthly Archives: November 2013

Adam Cloch Putting Our Energy into Education

Posted on November 6, 2013 by | Comments Off on Putting Our Energy into Education


Guest Blog Post by Gina Meehan, Supervisor of Public Awareness, Ameren Illinois

Talking to children about natural gas safety is one of the best things about my job. And at Ameren Illinois, we’re serious about making learning fun.

Sniffy 061

Our mascot Sniffy the Sniffasaurus teaches children how to recognize a gas leak by using their senses to detect the odor of rotten eggs, while the “Wheel of Misfortune” game highlights the dangers of digging before calling 811. I also use exciting methods to communicate our “Smell Gas, Leave Fast” message.

Kids and teachers alike love KidsActOnEnergy.com. Along with fun facts, videos and interactive games, this website provides free teaching materials and resources about energy safety. At the end of 2012, this program had reached 50,000 K-6 students and has continued to grow throughout the 2013-2014 school year.

From campsites to neighborhood parades, Ameren Illinois looks for unique opportunities to engage kids year-round. At “Big Truck Day” 1,000 pre-kindergarten students discovered Sniffy and just how cool utility trucks really are. Giveaways like scratch-n-sniff cards help us bring safety messages into the home.

While energy education doesn’t end with the classroom, it’s a great place to start.

Posted in energy, Natural Gas, people, safety | Comments Off on Putting Our Energy into Education

Adam Cloch Use Your Senses To Recognize A Leak

Posted on November 4, 2013 by | Comments Off on Use Your Senses To Recognize A Leak


Guest Blogger: Anne Lowe, National Energy Foundation, Program Director

Natural gas leaks are rare, but being able to recognize and respond to a suspected leak is an important part of living and working safely. Educating children and their families to see, smell and hear clues to recognize a leak is an essential part of the safety mission for National Energy Foundation (NEF) and its natural gas utility partners.

Seeing a damaged connection to a gas appliance, smelling the “rotten egg” odor of mercaptan (the chemical odorant added to natural gas) or hearing a hissing sound are all signs that a leak may have occurred at home. Sightings of dead vegetation in an otherwise moist area or continuous bubbling of water may also suggest a pipeline leak in the community.

Knowing what to do when a leak is suspected is the second part of ensuring safety. Most importantly, get everyone outside and away from the area.  Don’t do anything that could cause a spark and ignite the gas; including using a light switch, a garage door opener or making a phone call.  From a safe location outside and away from the leak call you natural gas utility.

IMG_7467_xOThe Natural Gas Safety poster developed by NEF in collaboration with AGA teaches these and other important concepts.

NEF has solutions to help communicate the natural gas safety message. Classroom ENERGY SAFE KIDS presentations, education materials and an interactive website all support a utility’s public outreach plan. For more information, visit www.NEF1.org.

Posted in Natural Gas, people, safety | Comments Off on Use Your Senses To Recognize A Leak

Adam Cloch Natural Gas Market Indicators: October 31, 2013

Posted on November 1, 2013 by and | Comments Off on Natural Gas Market Indicators: October 31, 2013


Strong production across the United States continues to bolster the natural gas supply portfolio as we head into winter. Production is on pace for another record-setting year while storage levels sit above the five-year average as the end of the injection season approaches. New U.S. Energy Information Administration drilling data suggests that improvements in rig efficiency continue to support production gains even though natural gas drilling rig counts declined during 2012.

Overall demand remains on par with last year. We see residential and commercial demand increases along with small gains in industrial usage offsetting declines in gas for power generation. The market has rationalized these facts and future expectations of weather with supply contracts through February 2014, priced between $3.70 and $4 per MMBtu. This suggests a shared market sentiment that the supply position across the country remains strong as winter approaches.

Hurricane threats for the Atlantic basin remain minimized with about one month remaining in the current season.

Visit this link to download the full Natural Gas Market Indicators report. Topics covered in this week’s report include: Reported Prices, Weather, Working Gas in Underground Storage, Natural Gas Production, Shale Gas, Rig Counts, Pipeline Imports and Exports, and LNG Markets.

Please direct questions and comments to Chris McGill at cmcgill@aga.org or Richard Meyer at rmeyer@aga.org

Posted in energy, environment, Natural Gas, weather | Comments Off on Natural Gas Market Indicators: October 31, 2013