WASHINGTON — The American Gas Association (AGA) announced the creation of a voluntary industry effort to further elevate the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses throughout North America. The AGA Board of Directors approved the National AGA Peer Review Program, a peer-to-peer safety and operational practices review program that will allow local natural gas utilities to observe their peers, share leading practices, and identify opportunities to better serve customers and communities. Beginning in 2015, companies from the more than 200 local natural gas utilities that make up AGA’s membership will volunteer to team up in peer groups of three to four companies to visit one another’s facilities and conduct detailed reviews focusing on key aspects of pipeline and employee safety.

“By implementing this voluntary peer-review program, America’s local natural gas utilities are demonstrating their commitment to continually enhancing the safety and reliability of the more than 2.1 million miles of pipelines they operate,” said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO, AGA. “This program allows experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated natural gas utility professionals to engage in detailed face-to-face discussions focused on safety, thereby helping each company strengthen its practices and processes, ultimately leading to an even safer natural gas industry.”

The development of the National AGA Peer Review Program follows the successful completion of a pilot program conducted from June 2013 through March 2014, involving 10 AGA member companies.

Publication date: 11/3/2014 

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