I listened to a fair number of commencement speeches this spring challenging new graduates to find their own way to make their country and their communities stronger. It’s true that we should never take for granted that the United States will remain first among nations, but I have great confidence in our future. We must continue to call upon the pioneering spirit and restless ingenuity that have propelled our nation for decades. It has made us a worldwide energy leader, and we continue to explore new methodologies for producing, transporting, delivering and using natural gas.
We are a nation of doers. I marvel at the wide variety of opportunities and training programs—from colleges, universities, trade schools, technical schools and apprenticeships—that keep our industry humming. The lessons learned in these settings permeate the work of our industry. America’s natural gas utilities rely on employees to exhibit the essential principles of curiosity, exploration, teamwork, problem-solving and perseverance. This is one of the many reasons American Gas Association members play an active role at educational institutions in their service territories. We have so much to learn from the nimble and optimistic intellectual and analytic power of younger generations, and we have a lot to offer to inspire young minds looking for long and rewarding careers.
In this issue of American Gas, we went back to college, where natural gas is fueling life on campus and sparking the minds of the next generation of thinkers and doers. From Stanford to Stony Brook, natural gas utilities are partnering with research labs at universities to explore new ways of employing natural gas as a solution to our most pressing energy challenges. These universities, and the students studying at them, are taking great leaps forward in the fields of data analytics, sensors, fuel cells, power-to-gas, workforce training, renewable natural gas, alternative fuel transportation technology and more.
These are local projects with far-ranging implications. They provide solutions for our customers and our communities while strengthening the talent pool that we need to keep up with the changing times in our industry and the growing desires from consumers. These young women and men are getting an education in the limitless potential of natural gas and the myriad benefits of innovation.
This issue also features a story about how Peoples Gas successfully replaced 1,500 feet of transmission pipeline that runs under Calumet River on Chicago’s southeast side. This was made possible through technological innovation, creative problem-solving and the “good old college try”—the grit and determination to keep at it until they got it right. Many of the traditional methods would not have worked in this instance or would have had negative environmental impacts if applied to this unique circumstance. It was a challenge, to be sure, but it was accomplished on time and safely through determination, expertise and by employing technology never used before. We are happy to share this case study here—and in our operations meetings—because that is how we continue to learn, lift each other up and improve as an industry.
Stories like these are not a surprise to anyone who has worked in the natural gas utility space. AGA member companies pioneer new technologies and techniques 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. As these articles illustrate, our pursuit of innovation is first and foremost to enhance safety, but it also underlines our commitment to be a trusted provider of solutions for our customers. This kind of forward thinking and action will continue to make natural gas a foundation for our energy landscape for many decades ahead.
President and CEO