Austin Utilities will observe national Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18.

This is the second year in which Gas Utility Workers’ Day has been celebrated across the country, a time to recognize employees who provide one of the community’s 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 work 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; and to educate residents on the environmental, safety and cost benefits of using natural gas.

Austin Utilities employs 26 people in its natural gas department in positions that include gas construction, gas meter test and repair, and gas service technician. Service technicians are available to respond to customer calls Monday through Friday during normal business hours and 24/7 service through their call-in dispatch service. They will celebrate the event with a breakfast for their natural gas employees.

Austin Utilities maintains 178 miles of natural gas main and 10,260 customer service lines and responded to 4,924 gas service orders last year.

To learn more about the benefits of natural gas and how your natural gas system works, please contact us at 507-433-8886.