DECATUR — Decatur Utilities officals are “soaring” after returning from the recent American Public Gas Association conference.
The reason is the utility and its Natural Gas Department received the 2024-2027 System Operational Achievement Recognition Silver Award. The award recognizes DU’s efforts to improve its operational capabilities, overcome challenges, and adapt to its changing environment.
“DU serves as a model for all other natural gas utilities in the country,” APGA President and CEO Bert Kalisch said. “APGA is proud to recognize DU and is confident in its continued success.”
Operations Manager Gary Borden accepted the award at last week’s annual conference on behalf of DU and the Natural Gas Department.
“Decatur Utilities takes natural gas safety and system integrity very seriously,” said DU General Manager Ray Hardin. “We appreciate being recognized by APGA as a SOAR award recipient.”
Out of approximately 750 APGA members, Decatur Utilities was selected by its peer utilities on the APGA Operations and Safety Committee. The award reflects DU’s demonstration of excellence in system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development. DU won the SOAR Bronze Award in 2018 and 2022.
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System integrity refers to the natural gas distribution system performing its overall intended function safely, efficiently and effectively.
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System improvement refers to keeping the natural gas system well maintained and up-to-date.
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Employee safety refers to systems that exhibit excellence in programs that stress educational involvement and accountability.
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Workforce development refers to a focus on creative recruitment, training, education and development practices.
To earn the Silver Award, DU scored between 90% and 96% on the evaluation. DU improved its previous Bronze Award scores in the System Integrity and System Improvement categories by answering the award questions accurately, updating Gas Distribution Integrity Management Program procedures, committing to pipe safety continuous improvement and holding annual mock drills.
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