Safety Information

Safety is the highest priority in the natural gas industry. The industry's excellent record is the result of extensive safety programs, overseen by federal and state officials. An estimated $4 billion is spent each year ensuring that natural gas is delivered safely and efficiently.

Serious incidents related to the transmission and distribution of natural gas are extremely rare in the United States. There is a far greater risk of dying from falling objects, excessive heat, injuries caused by animals, lightning strikes and hornet/bee/wasp stings than from a natural gas incident, according to the National Safety Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Over the past 10 years, safety incidents related to the natural gas distribution system have decreased by 38%. During the same period, the amount of natural gas delivered to customers has increased by nearly 25%. (Based on information from the American Gas Association (AGA) web site.)

Mercaptan: The Odor of Natural Gas
Natural gas is odorless and invisible, so we add Mercaptan to it. The odorant has a very distinctive "rotten egg" or sulfur-like smell. That helps everyone easily detect a leak. Once a year, we mail bill inserts with the "scratch and sniff" Mercaptan odorant so our customers are familiar with the smell.

Learn More About Gas Safety

• Detecting Leaks
  How to detect indoor and outdoor gas leaks.
  
  
• Carbon Monoxide
  How to protect yourself from carbon monoxide.
  
  
• Call Before You Dig
  Who to call before you dig.
  
  
• Safety Tips
  Some basic rules for natural gas safety.

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