The ABCs of Natural Gas

The return of the school year brings a welcome return to routine. No matter how much changes around us, one thing we can count on each August is seeing students head back to the classroom—ready to learn, grow, and build on the basics.

Natural gas is much the same. Our customers may not think about it every day, and that is by design. As a utility, our goal is to provide a dependable service that is simply there when you need it: for cooking dinner, heating water, keeping homes comfortable, fueling local businesses, and supporting industrial operations throughout our region.

Like the ABCs, the principles behind safe, reliable natural gas service are straightforward. But their impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

Natural gas became common in American homes during the 1950s—the same decade Southeast Gas was founded. As we prepare to celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2027, I am reminded that our company was built on a solid foundation: serving our customers and communities with reliable energy. That foundation will remain essential as we look ahead and continue to Fuel What’s Next.

For young students, the ABCs are the building blocks of education. At Southeast Gas, our work is guided by a few equally fundamental principles: affordability, building stronger communities, and a commitment to safe, reliable service.

A Is for Affordability

Natural gas has long been a consistently affordable fuel source, helping households and businesses manage energy costs. At a time when families are balancing back-to-school expenses and businesses are carefully managing their budgets, reasonably priced energy matters.

Natural gas appliances are highly efficient and can help reduce energy use throughout the home. According to the American Gas Association, natural gas expenses account for only 1.1% of average annual household expenses. Yet that relatively small share can go a long way toward fueling the heating system, water heater, cooktop, outdoor lighting, and grill that families use year-round. Natural gas is also abundant, which helps keep costs stable now and in the years ahead.

Affordable energy is about more than a monthly utility bill. It contributes to household stability, supports local employers, and helps create opportunities for the people and communities we serve.

B Is for Building Stronger Communities

Our school systems are the foundation of our communities. The future depends on students receiving the education and experiences they need to enter the workforce prepared to contribute and succeed.

So, what does natural gas have to do with building stronger communities?

Reliable energy infrastructure is essential to economic development, job creation, and a community’s ability to attract and retain employers. Natural gas serves the places where community life happens every day—from homes and restaurants to schools, hospitals, manufacturers, and small businesses.

At Southeast Gas, our work is ultimately about helping the communities we serve thrive. We are proud to support them through distribution back to our owner cities, our Give Back to Schools program, and the Community Service Scholarship. We also recognize that progress takes partnership. Working alongside other utilities, local leaders, schools, businesses, and residents helps create the opportunities our communities need to grow.

C Is for Commitment to Safety and Service

Safety is our number one priority. Anyone who works at Southeast Gas will tell you that I speak about safety often—and for good reason. It guides how we work, how we maintain our system, and how we serve our customers. It is also central to our company vision: to SERVE.

Safety is a shared responsibility. Please keep these basic natural gas safety reminders in mind:

1. If you suspect a natural gas leak, leave the area immediately.
2. From a safe location, call 911 and then call Southeast Gas at 800-660-8683.
3. Watch for possible signs of a leak, including a rotten-egg or sulfur-like odor; a hissing or roaring sound near pipes, appliances, or the ground; dirt or water blowing into the air; or unexplained dead or dying plants and grass.
4. Call 811 before you dig, whether you are tackling a weekend project at home or working as a commercial contractor.
5. Do not attempt major repairs on gas appliances. Contact a qualified professional.

Safety is not a once-a-year topic or a box to check. It is a daily discipline. By prioritizing the safety of our employees and communities, we can continue maintaining a strong gas system, responding to customers when they need us, and delivering the dependable service they expect.

Building on the Basics

Education works one lesson at a time. Students begin with the ABCs, then build on that foundation as they move from elementary school to high school and beyond.

The same is true for our communities. Foundational energy infrastructure prepares them for growth. Dependable natural gas helps families prepare meals, helps keep classrooms comfortable, enables businesses to stay open, and supports the production of goods made here and shipped across the country.

The principles are simple, but their impact is immeasurable.

As another school year begins, I am reminded that the most enduring lessons are often the simplest: start with a strong foundation, care for one another, and invest in what helps our communities move forward. Southeast Gas is grateful to our customers, employees, municipal partners, and communities for the trust you place in us. We remain committed to serving you safely, reliably, and affordably for many years to come.

By Greg Henderson, President and CEO of Southeast Gas