Blogs

Register for the 2019 APGA RF/GTI Fall Forum

By Michael Brady posted 19 hours ago
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The APGA Research Foundation (RF) and Gas Technology Institute (GTI) will hold the 2019 Fall Forum this August 21-22 and APGA members are encouraged to attend! The APGA Research Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that serves as the “bank” for public gas system (PGS) voluntary research and development (R&D) contributions. The RF provides PGSs their own organization to collect and allocate voluntary dollars to R&D important to public gas customers. The RF identifies and prioritizes research projects important to contributing PGSs and ensures that project deliverables are tracked and met. Those deliverables always include commercialization prospects, ...
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PHMSA’s Gas Transmission Rule Moves to OMB

By Erin Kurilla posted 20 hours ago
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Since 2011, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has been developing the next phase of pipeline safety regulations for gas transmission regulations. The original proposed Safety of Gas Transmission and Gathering Lines Rulemaking addressed congressional mandates, recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other changes proposed by PHMSA. PHMSA has decided to break apart the proposed rule into three separate final rules. The first of which has officially moved to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a cost/benefit analysis and approvals. This is the first of three rulemakings and it focuses ...
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EIA Reports Storage Increase of 100 Bcf to Put Working Gas Storage at 1,753 Bcf

By Audrey Anderson posted 21 hours ago
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Here is the weekly EIA Summary Report issued on Thursday, May 23, which reports the week’s storage report highlights for Friday, May 17. A 100 Bcf increase has been reported. Working gas in storage was 1,753 Bcf as of Friday, May 17, 2019, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 100 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 137 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 274 Bcf below the five-year average of 2,027 Bcf. At 1,753 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
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APGA Speaks at NAPSR Western Region Meeting

By John Erickson posted 22 hours ago
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On May 15, John Erickson spoke on behalf of APGA at the Western Regional meeting of the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) in San Diego, Calif. NAPSR is the association of state pipeline safety agencies. Most APGA members are audited by a NAPSR member state agency for compliance with pipeline safety regulations. John first described APGA’s position on the final rule on plastic pipe, the pending transmission rule and pipeline safety act reauthorization. The final plastic pipe rule is much improved over what was initially proposed. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) accepted APGA’s comment that socket ...
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APGA Board Approves Policy Resolutions

By Dave Schryver posted 22 hours ago
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At its May Board meeting, the APGA Board of Directors approved two new policy resolutions in addition to several revisions to existing resolutions. APGA’s policy resolutions play a critical role in guiding the association in the advocacy positions that are taken. The first new policy resolution approved by the Board, titled “Fair Ratemaking on Tax Issues” addresses the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) regulation of pipeline rates. The resolution calls for FERC to require that pipelines return the value of Excess Accumulated Deferred Income Tax to ratepayers and implement equitable ratemaking policies that are fair to ratepayers who paid rates that ...
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APGA Sends Out Membership Satisfaction Survey

By Dave Schryver posted 22 hours ago
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On May 22, APGA sent out its annual membership satisfaction survey. The survey, which was developed by the APGA Membership Committee, is done to assess member views of APGA’s performance, value, and the quality of services provided. The survey also seeks input on additional potential services that APGA may offer that will provide value to its members. The survey is broken into segments that address, among other things: membership value; advocacy; communications; and, education. A survey has been sent to the primary contact of each member. The survey is intended to take no more than 15-20 minutes to complete. The survey will help APGA staff and the Board of ...
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Congratulations 2019 SOAR Recipients!

By Erin Kurilla posted 7 days ago
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APGA member systems take great pride in their ability to deliver natural gas safely and efficiently to over 5 million customers in 37 states. APGA is pleased to hold the System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) program. One aspect of that program is the ability to recognize those public natural gas systems that have achieved excellence in the operation of their natural gas utility. SOAR honors natural gas distribution utilities that demonstrate commitment to excellence in four areas: system integrity; system improvement; employee safety; and, workforce development. Applications are reviewed by a team of experts from the APGA Operations & Safety Committee ...
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APGA Mutual Aid Moves Forward

By Simon Cook posted 7 days ago
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The APGA Mutual Aid program was formally approved by the APGA Board of Directors during the May 2019 Board Meeting in Alexandria, Va. This program has been in development for many months and is now in the final stages of being launched. It was developed with input from the APGA Operations & Safety Committee, as well as the Mutual Aid Task Group, and went through several iterations to allow as close to 100 percent participation from APGA members as possible. The final agreement addressed concerns brought forward by APGA membership, including indemnification, workers compensation, and Operator Qualification. • Indemnification - The APGA Mutual Aid Agreement ...
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EIA Reports Storage Increase of 106 Bcf to Put Working Gas Storage at 1,653 Bcf

By Audrey Anderson posted 7 days ago
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Here is the weekly EIA Summary Report issued on Thursday, May 16, which reports the week’s storage report highlights for Friday, May 10. A 106 Bcf increase has been reported. Working gas in storage was 1,653 Bcf as of Friday, May 10, 2019, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 106 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 130 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 286 Bcf below the five-year average of 1,939 Bcf. At 1,653 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
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Building Energy Codes and Standards Committee Meets

By Stuart Saulters posted 7 days ago
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This week, the Building Energy Codes and Standards (BECS) Committee met at the offices of the American Gas Association (AGA) in Washington, D.C. Stuart Saulters of APGA staff was able to participate and represent APGA members in the discussions. Jason Stanek, of the Metropolitan Utilities District, was also a part of this meeting. There were two full days of conversation on updates to the pertinent model codes, as well as the research and any pending legislation and regulations related to them. The gas utility industry is facing challenges, even in the development of codes and standards, so it is critical for APGA members and staff to stay engaged on the BECS ...
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Industry Submits Comments on DOT Regulatory Reform

By Erin Kurilla posted 7 days ago
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On February 5, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requested public comment on agency guidance documents. The DOT is “reviewing its existing guidance documents to evaluate their continued necessity and determine whether they need to be updated or revised.” The request summarizes guidance as documents that “can serve a number of purposes including: (1) Clarifying the pertinent statutory and regulatory requirements; (2) assisting with statutory and regulatory compliance; and (3) communicating the Department’s position on an issue.” APGA worked collaboratively with the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the American Gas Association, and the American ...
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Bill Cooper Sworn in as DOE General Counsel

By Dave Schryver posted 7 days ago
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On May 9, Bill Cooper was sworn in as General Counsel for the Department of Energy (DOE). At the swearing in ceremony, which Dave Schryver of APGA’s staff attended, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Mark Menezes, Under Secretary of Energy, discussed Bill’s experience and the skills he will bring to the position. It is the role of the DOE General Counsel to, among other things, determine the department’s authoritative position on any question of law and provide legal advice, counsel, and support to the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and program offices. Last August, APGA sent a letter to the Chairman, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and then Ranking Democrat, ...
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APGA Speaks at Argus Natural Gas Summit

By Dave Schryver posted 7 days ago
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On May 14, Dave Schryver, APGA’s Executive Vice President, spoke at the Argus Natural Gas Summit held in Houston, Texas. Now in its fifth year, the Argus Natural Gas Summit provides a forum for market leaders and decisionmakers from across the industry to meet to discuss developments in the energy markets. Other speakers at the conference included: Dena Wiggins, President and CEO of the Natural Gas Supply Association; Charlie Riedl, Executive Director for the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas; and, Steven Woodward, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Antero Resources. In his presentation, Dave discussed challenges and threats to the direct use of ...
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APGA Members Visit Capitol Hill

By Dave Schryver posted 14 days ago
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APGA members traveled to Washington, D.C. on May 7 and 8 to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. APGA holds an annual Government Relations Conference in Washington, D.C. as part of the Spring Board and Committee meetings. In addition to receiving updates on key natural gas issues, another critical component of this event is APGA members meeting with their congressional delegations. Having congressional representatives hear directly from their constituents on key issues of interest to public natural gas systems has greatly helped APGA’s advocacy efforts. As has occurred in previous years, many members of the APGA Public Gas Policy Council attended this year’s ...
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APGA Meets with FERC Commissioners

By Dave Schryver posted 14 days ago
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On May 7, members of the APGA Board of Directors and the Regulatory Subcommittee met with members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, D.C. The APGA representatives that participated in the meeting included: Sam Davis, APGA First Vice Chair and General Manger & Chief Executive Officer of Lake Apopka Natural Gas District; Donnie Sharp, Chair of the APGA Regulatory Subcommittee and Senior Natural Gas Supply Coordinator for Huntsville Utilities; John Olshefski, Senior Vice President, Customer Care for Huntsville Utilities; Rich Worsinger, Director of Energy Resources for the City of Rocky Mount; John Gregg, APGA’s General Counsel; ...
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APGA Files Comments on Process Rule

By Dave Schryver posted 14 days ago
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On May 6, APGA filed comments in response to the Department of Energy (DOE) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) to streamline and modernize the Process Rule. The Process Rule addresses the procedures and policies that guide DOE in establishing new or amended energy-efficiency standards. The hearing was well attended by representatives from the energy industry, appliance manufacturers, utilities, and efficiency groups. The NOPR, which was released in February, includes many of the changes pushed for by APGA at a January 2018 Public Meeting and in comments filed last year to DOE. The revisions contained in the proposed rule include: making the Process Rule binding; ...
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EIA Reports Storage Increase of 85 Bcf to Put Working Gas Storage at 1,547 Bcf

By Audrey Anderson posted 14 days ago
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Here is the weekly EIA Summary Report issued on Thursday, May 9, which reports the week’s storage report highlights for Friday, May 3. An 85 Bcf increase has been reported. Working gas in storage was 1,547 Bcf as of Friday, May 3, 2019, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 85 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 128 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 303 Bcf below the five-year average of 1,850 Bcf. At 1,547 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.
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APGA DUTG Holds Meeting in D.C.

By Stuart Saulters posted 14 days ago
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The Direct Use Task Group (DUTG) met this week in Washington, D.C. The busy agenda included an opportunity to hear from Jim Tweedie of the Canadian Gas Association (CGA). He shared insight on their efforts to encourage more use of natural gas in Canada, which was important for the DUTG to hear as the group develops its strategic plan. CGA has had success in partnering with several stakeholders in Canada to promote use of natural gas in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Given this great work, the DUTG will likely look for more opportunities to collaborate with CGA moving forward. Following Jim’s briefing, the DUTG jumped right into strategic ...
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APGA Members Visit with PHMSA Leadership

By Erin Kurilla posted 14 days ago
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On May 8, as a part of the APGA Government Relations Conference, APGA visited with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) leadership at their Department of Transportation (DOT) headquarters in Washington, D.C. In attendance on behalf of APGA were: Owen Reeves, APGA Chairman from Henderson Municipal Gas; Pat Riley, APGA Operations & Safety Committee Chairman and Board Member from Gibson County Utility District; Alonzo Weaver, APGA Board Treasurer and Operations & Safety Committee Vice Chairman from Memphis Gas, Light & Water; Rich Worsinger, APGA Board Member from City of Rocky Mount; Bob Dowel, APGA Board Member from Long ...
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Former CFTC Commissioner Bart Chilton Passes Away

By Dave Schryver posted 21 days ago
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Former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner Bart Chilton has passed away at age 58 due to complications related to pancreatic cancer. Commissioner Chilton served on the CFTC from 2007 to 2014. He was originally nominated by President George W. Bush and later re-nominated by President Barack Obama. He chaired the CFTC’s Energy and Environmental Advisory and the Global Markets Advisory panels. APGA met with Commissioner Chilton several times and he was a speaker at both our Annual Conference as well as our Gas Supply Conference. He strongly supported APGA’s views regarding the need for greater market transparency. APGA sends our condolences ...
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