COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING AWARD

This award recognizes APGA public gas system members who have worked hard over the past year to 
communicate to their customers and market natural gas in their communities. Congratulations to... 

• 1st Place: York County Natural Gas Authority, SC
• 2nd Place: City of Charlottesville Public Utilities, VA
• 3rd Place: City of Lexington, NC

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COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The award recognizes is an APGA public gas system member on an annual basis in recognition of the accomplishments of the gas system and its employees to improving and enhancing the quality of life of the community it serves.

Congratulations to... Decatur Utilities, AL

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award is given to individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for APGA, their community and the natural gas industry, and have a long record of such commitment.

Congratulations to... Mike Casper, JCE Coop, IL


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EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD

This award recognizes an APGA public gas system member that demonstrates excellence in their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Congratulations to... Holyoke Gas & Electric Department, MA

J. HARDIE JOHNSTON SERVICE AWARD

This recognition is given to individuals who are retiring after serving at least 25 years in the natural gas industry and have been active as an APGA public gas system member representative.

Congratulations to... 

• Mike Enoch, Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, Chester County Natural Gas Authority, SC & Patriots Energy Group;
• Phillip Starnes, Lancaster County Natural Gas Authority, SC; and
• Bill DeFoor, Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia.

NEXT GENERATION EMPLOYEE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award recognizes an individual under 35 years or younger and has made substantial contributions toward the goals of their utility, APGA, and the natural gas industry.  

Congratulations to...   Jacob Allen, West Tennessee Public Utility District, TN

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is given to individuals who have made substantial contributions toward the goals of APGA and the natural gas industry, and who are employees of an APGA public gas system member.

Congratulations to... Allyson Horner, Gibson County Utility District, TN

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PUBLIC GAS SYSTEM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The recipient is an APGA public gas system member whose performance is widely recognized in the public gas industry, has made substantial contributions to the community, other utilities and the goals of APGA. 

Congratulations to... Southeast Gas, Andalusia, AL
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APGA RESEARCH FOUNDATION DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award is in recognition of outstanding public service, devotion to duty, contribution to the natural gas industry, and exemplifying the highest ideals in the promotion and administration of natural gas research, development, and commercialization among and for publicly owned natural gas systems

Congratulations to... Stephen Mayfield, City of Tallahassee Gas Department, FL

SAFETY MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award is given to an APGA member system that consistently operates at the highest safety levels, clearly establishing the system as an achiever of excellence in the field of Safety Management.

Congratulations to... City Utilities of Springfield, MO

2026 SOAR WINNERS

SOAR applicants are awarded a rating based on a total cumulative score of points achieved from criteria in the areas of system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development. There are three SOAR recognition levels: Bronze (80-89% of possible points), Silver (90-96% of possible points), and Gold (97-100% of possible points). SOAR status continues for three years. Congratulations to…

Gold

• Scottsboro Water, Sewer & Gas Board, AL
• Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, FL
• City of Tallahassee Gas Department, FL
• City of Lawrenceville Natural Gas, GA
• Holyoke Gas & Electric Department, MA
• Wilson Energy, NC
• York County Natural Gas Authority, SC
• Borough of Chambersburg, PA
• Philadelphia Gas Works, PA
• Powell Clinch Utility District, TN
• City of Ellensburg, WA

Silver

• Norwich Public Utilities, CT
• Middleborough Gas & Electric Department, MA
• Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department, MA
• Westfield Gas + Electric / Whip City Fiber, MA
• City of Hamilton, OH

Bronze

• CGS Energy, FL
• Easton Utilities Commission, MD
• Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works, SC
• Smyrna Natural Gas, TN
• CPS Energy, TX