Memphis Light, Gas and Water and other natural gas utilities will observe national Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day this week on Saturday, March 18. It’s a day when communities such as Memphis and Shelby County offer recognition and gratitude to employees who work to provide natural gas service safely and reliably to area homes and businesses. MLGW would like to thank and honor our natural gas workers for their hard work and their dedication to safety and our customers.

This is the eighth year in which Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day has been officially celebrated across the country. The annual nationwide event is intended to build public awareness about the hard work done by the employees of natural gas utilities. March 18 is the date of the New London, Texas school explosion in 1937 that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas with the odorant mercaptan and an increased emphasis on gas 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 Saturday we honor the exceptional work our natural gas utility workers do every day in Memphis, Shelby County and across the nation,” said Doug McGowen, MLGW President and CEO. “MLGW and our customers depend on our natural gas workers to deliver reliable, affordable, and most importantly, safe natural gas service. When we completed our cast iron gas distribution pipeline replacement project two years ago, it helped reinsure the safe delivery of natural gas to our service area. Safety is a vital aspect of our work, and our gas employees put safety first every day. They deserve a day to be recognized for their hard work, dedication and accomplishments. Thank you, MLGW natural gas workers!”

Learn about the benefits of natural gas and how your public natural gas system works on the American Public Gas Association website at apga.org/aboutus/facts. Find out more about natural gas safety in your home on our website at mlgw.com/residential/safety