The city of Americus will observe the national Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18. This is the fourth year in which Gas Utility Workers’ Day has been officially celebrated across the country. This day of recognition is a time when communities such as ours give recognition to the employees who provide one of their most valuable assets — their natural gas utility.
The official Gas Utility Workers’ Day is March 18 because that is the date of the New London, Texas, school explosion in 1937, that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety. Safety is a vital aspect to natural gas distribution and the employees of distribution companies endeavor to make natural gas delivery as safe as possible.
This annual nationwide event is intended to build public awareness about the hard work done by the employees of natural gas utilities. On this day, we would like to remind all residents of the environmental, safety and cost benefits of using clean, reliable, and affordable natural gas. Our customers recognize the need to access reliable, affordable, safe energy, and depend on the service of natural gas utility employees for that need. This past year, the city of Americus Natural Gas Department was recognized by the American Public Gas Association for 25 years of safety.
The city of Americus Natural Gas Department looks forward to continuing to bring safe, reliable natural gas into your homes and businesses. We also hope you join us in supporting natural gas as a premier energy source for our country. As the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas can help us achieve energy security and build a more competitive economy.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of natural gas and how your natural gas system works, please contact the city of Americus Natural Gas Department at 229-924-7224.

David Wooden is director of Americus Natural Gas Department.