Use the comment section below to thank a PSE&G gas worker today, National Gas Utility Workers’ Day
Did you know the history of natural gas spans centuries? In fact, French explorers witnessed Native Americans igniting the gases that seeped into and around Lake Erie as early as 1626. Fast forward 200 years, William Hart drilled the first successful natural gas well in the U.S., located in Fredonia, New York[1]. Our company and New Jersey’s largest utility provider, PSE&G, then began receiving natural gas on July 10, 1949. Today, nearly 75 years later, more than 189 million Americans and 5.6 million businesses use natural gas[2].
As we celebrate National Gas Utility Workers’ Day, let’s first immerse ourselves in just one of the many different gas jobs we have here at PSE&G. Watch as Teri Vollrath, service specialist, takes us on a journey through her day. Then, read on to understand how much has changed since natural gas was first discovered in our Q&A with Wade Miller, PSE&G senior director of Southern Gas Field Operations, and Beth J. Acquaire, PSE&G senior director of Northern Gas Field Operations.
Question: What are some of the most significant changes in natural gas operations?
Wade: Technological advances in the early 20th century paved the way for the transportation of natural gas through long-distance steel pipelines. This innovation coincided with a significant increase in demand, prompting a surge in pipeline construction during the post-World War II period. In response to these developments, both the natural gas industry and state authorities began collaborating to establish safety standards for gas transmission and distribution lines. This new, readily available, and affordable supply quickly displaced the need to manufacture gas locally.
One pivotal moment came in the late 1960s when the U.S. Congress passed the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act[3]. This legislation authorized the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to set federal safety standards for gas pipeline facilities. Additionally, it allocated federal grant funding to state authorities, empowering them to regulate the safety of intrastate gas pipeline facilities.
Question: How is natural gas used safer and more reliably today? What changes have been made to ensure this?
Beth: Since the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act passed, the pipeline safety program has undergone many changes. The USDOT, along with its state partners, has expanded the workforce dedicated to ensuring the safety and reliability of the nation’s gas pipeline facilities. The department has also implemented innovative regulatory initiatives focused on various aspects, including the integrity management of gas transmission and distribution systems, certification standards for pipeline personnel, detailed program requirements for pipeline control centers, and reinforcement of state laws related to damage prevention. At PSE&G. we have consistently been at the forefront in meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements, as safety is our top priority.
We are strategically positioned in the northeast where there are numerous pipeline suppliers across New Jersey, ensuring a diverse supply to our customers. We’re also in the process of more infrastructure upgrades, including gas projects aimed at replacing cast iron mains, unprotected steel mains, and services. This includes the abandonment of district regulators associated with cast iron and unprotected steel mains, as well as the relocation of inside meter sets. These legacy leak-prone materials and systems have served our customers well for many decades yet need modernization. The use of more modern, resilient materials and advanced design configurations and construction techniques help enhance safety and reliability, enabling features like customer use of high efficiency appliances.
Wade: We see natural gas as a key fuel for keeping things affordable and reliable. Yet, we’re also exploring other options like less carbon intense fuels including hydrogen and renewable natural gas from supplies like food waste, landfills and wastewater. We have over 30,000 miles of main and service infrastructure that can deliver a diverse supply of energy to our customers that is reliable, resilient and affordable.
Since 2014, we have been working fast to upgrade our gas system. We’re replacing old pipes with new ones through initiatives like the Gas System Modernization Program. With GSMP and other programs, we’ve changed nearly 1,800 miles of gas lines. This has helped us cut down on methane emissions by about 300,000 metric tons of CO2e from 2011 to 2022. That’s like taking 65,000 cars off the road[4]. GSMP II, finished in early 2023, reduced methane emissions even more by about 22% compared to 2018 levels. These new lines also make our system more reliable. During Tropical Storm Ida in 2021, our upgrades stopped 90,000 gas customers from losing service during flooding.
Last year, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved a GSMP II extension, which we expect to result in more emissions reductions.
Question: Have we become less reliant on other nations for our natural gas resources and what does this mean for everyday customers?
Beth: In the past, our natural gas supply primarily originated from the Gulf of Mexico region of the United States. However, advancements in fracking technology over the last decade have unlocked vast reserves of natural gas in the Mid-Atlantic region. Consequently, most of our gas now comes from these fracking regions. This shift has been significant and has drastically reduced supply prices for our customers.
Question: Finally, how can PSE&G customers find out more about the improvements made?
Wade: We’re proud of our gas workers and the safety and reliability of our gas system. It’s also important for our customers to learn about gas safety, linked here. They can also view our website to keep track of where we’re working: https://nj.pseg.com/inthecommunity/constructioninyourtown/gasworkinyourtown.
As we reflect on the past and look forward, we understand that the natural gas industry will continue to play a crucial role in meeting energy needs while balancing environmental concerns for decades. With ongoing efforts toward sustainability and technological advancements, natural gas remains a key component of the energy landscape, ensuring affordability and reliability and helping pave the way for a clean energy future.
Take time today to thank a PSE&G gas worker for helping deliver reliable heat, responding to gas emergencies and helping keep us all safe. Give your #PSEGProud thanks in the comments below, in person or via social channels – @PSEG on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or @PSEGdelivers on Twitter.
[1] https://www.apga.org/apgamainsite/aboutus/facts/history-of-natural-gas#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20the,U.S.%20in%20Fredonia%2C%20New%20York.
[3] https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/working-phmsa/state-programs/natural-gas-pipeline-safety-act-1968#:~:text=Natural%20Gas%20Pipeline%20Safety%20Act%20of%201968%20%7C%20PHMSA
4 https://poweringprogress.pseg.com/gas-system-modernization-program/
We all have come to expect our utilities to always be readily available and they have! But the labor behind providing and maintaining the service, which has been so reliable, isn’t adequately acknowledged.
A huge vote of thanks are owed to all those who work at keeping our power delivered and gas flowing.
THANK YOU.