Gas
The nation's natural gas infrastructure transports gas to homes, buildings, industrial customers, and utilities for use in heating and electric power. Public utility commissions are responsible for assuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the natural gas distribution network.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NARUC established a Natural Gas Infrastructure Modernization Partnership (NGIMP) as a cooperative effort to understand emerging technologies and regulatory options for improving commission oversight of natural gas utilities. The NGIMP convened state regulators, federal agencies, and other natural gas stakeholders to learn more about emerging technologies pertaining to critically important issues around enhancing infrastructure and pipeline safety. A particular focus is on natural gas pipeline leak detection and measurement tools, and learning about new technologies and cost-effective practices for enhancing pipeline safety, reliability, efficiency, and deliverability.
As of July 1, 2020, NARUC and the DOE launched a new Natural Gas Partnership (NGP) to replace the NGIMP. The NGP continues the NGIMP's work on leak detection and infrastructure modernization and broadens NARUC's focus to a broad range of issues relating to natural gas regulation. NGP activities are closely coordinated with the NARUC Committee on Gas.
NARUC staff experts who support these activities include Kiera Zitelman.
- Certified Natural Gas: Primer, Regulatory Landscape, and Contributions Toward a Low-Carbon Future, February 2024
This report seeks to provide basic information about CNG, thus preparing PUCs to make sound decisions regarding CNG offerings impacting utility customers. It t cites examples from a growing body of state regulatory decisions on utility CNG proposals and aims to help PUCs build familiarity with CNG offerings to assist with their future decision-making. - Essential Guide to NARUC Natural Gas Resources, February 2024
NARUC members are increasingly seeking more information about natural gas infrastructure needs, impacts, and the role of Public Utility Commissions (PUCs). This guide connects commissioners and commission staff to essential natural gas resources that NARUC has developed. - Task Force on Natural Gas Resource Planning, July 2023
- Potential State Regulatory Pathways to Facilitate Low-Carbon Fuels, December 2022
This report provides informational context for state utility regulators to understand the impacts and challenges of broader integration of low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and renewable natural gas (RNG). Included are illustrative examples of state regulatory actions taken to date to facilitate the development of low-carbon fuels, including voluntary customer tariffs, supplier tariffs, procurement targets and investigatory proceedings. Increasingly, policymakers are considering the role of hydrogen and RNG in helping to achieve state and national decarbonization goals, as they may be able to reduce emissions from processes currently dependent on geologic natural gas by displacing emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Although these alternatives currently cost more than geologic natural gas and face technical barriers to broader deployment, they can be explored as tools to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify or transition away from natural gas entirely. - Artificial Intelligence for Natural Gas Utilities: A Primer, October 2020
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and other applications of data analysis and statistical methods show great potential for improving the efficiency, reliability, and safety of the nation's natural gas infrastructure. In this resource, NARUC defines relevant terminology in this area and summarizes relevant applications and case studies for natural gas distribution utilities. - Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Replacement and Modernization: A Review of State Programs, January 2020
Natural gas is an essential fuel for the U.S. economy, providing fuel for heating, electricity, and other services to customers. However, natural gas delivery infrastructure is aging, and technologies that were novel at the time of installation may no longer hold that position. Commissions and state legislatures have instituted a number of policies and regulations setting forth objectives and methods to remove and replace aging infrastructure. This report summarizes infrastructure replacement statutes and regulations in 41 states and the District of Columbia, with the goal of enhancing coordination across states and sharing best practices. While there is no perfect model program, state regulators can benefit from an understanding of the regulatory and infrastructure context in their states and how other states have implemented infrastructure replacement programs. - Sampling of Methane Emissions Detection Technologies and Practices for Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure: An Educational Handbook for State Energy Regulators, July 2019
This handbook summarizes methane leaks in the context of the natural gas distribution network. It identifies existing and emerging technologies and practices and outlines partnerships to further the development of novel tools. As a product of NGIMP, this research is primarily meant to expand state energy regulators’ understanding of state-of-the-art methane leak detection tools, thereby enhancing their ability to appropriately regulate the safety and efficiency of the nation’s natural gas infrastructure. However, multiple stakeholders including federal regulators, natural gas producers and utilities, consumer and environmental advocates, and others may also benefit from increased awareness of this market and its regulatory environment. - LNG: A Local Market – A Global Market - An Introductory Handbook for State Public Utility Commissioners, November 2018
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) continues to play a significant and important role not only in the United States market, but also globally. LNG is viewed by many market participants as a viable asset to help expand the use of natural gas and support environmental policies striving to reduce the volume of CO2 and other pollutants that are emitted in the atmosphere by human activity. In its over 50-year-history of being traded, LNG has fostered alliances and become a vital source of revenue to producing regions. LNG has helped consumers in many regions reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy an energy source not bound by agreements entered into by a handful of producers. Technological advances have propelled LNG from a fuel used under extreme conditions, such as a cold spell, to a fuel that can be produced, transported, stored, and delivered safely to consumers for a broad range of applications, ranging from vehicular fuel to power generation. This handbook is intended to serve as an introductory tool for regulators and other interested readers to understand the basics behind the LNG market today and facilitate a thoughtful discourse between producers, regulators, and consumers for further appropriate and responsible engagement and communication on the path forward.
- DOE-NARUC Gas Site Visit to Denver, CO, March 25 - 27, 2024
Registration is open for the NARUC Natural Gas Partnership site visit to Denver, Colorado scheduled for March 25-27, 2024. This site visit will provide NARUC members with the opportunity to learn about continuous methane monitoring equipment and independent certification of natural gas, observe current methane emissions quantification technologies, and connect with fellow commissioners and experts.
Travel reimbursement funding is available to commissioners via NARUC’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. Travel must be in accordance with federal rules and commissioners must receive pre-authorization and reimbursement instructions from NARUC before booking. Commission staff may attend at their own expense. - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Update on NARUC Task Force on Natural Gas Resource Planning and Task Force on Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability, January 22, 2023
Attendees will receive an update on the NARUC Task Force on Natural Gas Resource Planning and Task Force on Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability (GEAR). During this update, Committee members will have the opportunity to learn more about upcoming plans for both task forces and ask questions from members of the task forces’ leadership. - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: NERC 2023-2024 Winter Reliability Assessment, December 11, 2023
Speakers: John Moura, Director of Reliability Assessments and Performance Analysis, NERC and Mark Olson, Manager of Reliability Assessments, NERC
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Committee Peer Sharing Call on State Approaches to Gas Storage, October 16, 2023
Speakers: Hon. James Ellison, NM PRC; Hon. Kim David, OCC; and Hon. Dan Scripps, MI PSC
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: TSA Briefing on Recent Update to Security Directive for oil and gas pipeline cybersecurity, September 11, 2023
Speaker: Sonya Proctor, Assistant Administrator for Surface Operations, TSA
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: NAESB Gas-Electric Harmonization Forum Final Report, August 14, 2023
Speakers: Bob Gee, Sue Tierney, and Pat Wood, Chairs, NAESB Gas-Electric Harmonization Forum
View presentation - NARUC Natural Gas Distribution Technology Showcase, July 18 in Austin, TX
Commissioners, commission staff, and federal staff participated in a Natural Gas Distribution Technology Showcase on July 18th from 9:30 to 10:45 am CT during the NARUC Summer Policy Summit in Austin, Texas. The Natural Gas Distribution Technology Showcase gave state public utility commissioners and staff an opportunity to learn more about nascent natural gas distribution system and/or customer-facing technologies that might appear in upcoming rate cases and provided a chance for commissioners and staff to ask questions and engage in a dialogue about emerging technologies in a small group setting. The showcase was made possible by the U.S. Department of Energy-NARUC Natural Gas Partnership. - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Pipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair NPRM, June 12, 2023
Speakers: Kathleen Maitland and Conor Walsh, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
View presentation - DOE-NARUC Natural Gas Partnership Site Visit to Savannah, Georgia, May 8 - 10, 2023
NARUC members toured Kinder Morgan's Elba Island liquefied natural gas export facility, the Port of Savannah and Port Fuel Center compressed natural gas fueling infrastructure, and Atlanta Gas Light's local distribution infrastructure. This activity was supported by the DOE-NARUC Natural Gas Partnership.
View trip summary - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Interdependencies between Natural Gas and the Agricultural Sector, May 15, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
Speakers: Dan Lapato and Richard Meyer, American Gas Association
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Natural Gas Prices, Energy Bills, and Assistance Programs, April 10, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
Speakers: Mark Wolfe, National Energy Assistance Directors Association and Karen Lusson, National Consumer Law Center
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: FERC State of the Markets Report, March 27, 2023, 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
Speaker: FERC staff
View report - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Gas Turbine Association Overview and Discussion, February 6, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
Speaker: S.A. DellaVilla Jr., Gas Turbine Association
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: NERC Long-Term Reliability Assessment, January 23, 2023
Speakers: Fritz Hirst and Mark Olson, NERC
Open to members of the Committees and Staff Subcommittees on Gas, Electricity, and Critical Infrastructure
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Methane Remote Sensing and Leak Detection, December 12, 2022
Speaker: Riley Duren, Carbon Mapper
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Biogas and Renewable Natural Gas Use in Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution Pipelines, November 7, 2022
Speaker: Alex Kirschling, P.E., Wisconsin Public Service Commission
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Natural Gas Regulatory Program, October 24, 2022
Speaker: Amy Sweeney, U.S. Department of Energy
View presentation - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: TSA Cybersecurity Requirements for Pipelines (Joint with Critical Infrastructure Committee, September 19, 2022
Speaker: Kimberly Denbow, American Gas Association
Read TSA announcement - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Gas Supply Issues and Solutions Following Winter Storm Uri, July 11, 2022
Speaker: Terri Eaton, Xcel Energy - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Gas Climate Planning Tool Overview, June 13, 2022
Speakers: Erin Murphy, EDF, Luke Hellgren and Brian Jones, ERM
Learn more about the tool here - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: NGSA Briefing on the Summer Outlook for Natural Gas, May 16, 2022
Speakers: David Attwood, ExxonMobil and Dena Wiggins, Natural Gas Supply Association - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Natural Gas Markets in an Evolving Energy Landscape, April 18, 2022
Speakers: Juan Alvarado and Richard Meyer, American Gas Association
Download slides - Gas Committee Monthly Meeting: Overview of FERC's New Policy Statements and Impacts on Natural Gas Infrastructure, March 14, 2022
Speaker: Colette D. Honorable, Reed Smith - Net-Zero Emissions Opportunities for Gas Utilities, February 7, 2022
Speakers: Karen Harbert, President and CEO, and Juan Alvarado, Director of Energy Analysis, American Gas Association
Download study - European Gas and Electricity Market Volatility, January 24, 2022
Speakers: Will Polen, Senior Director, U.S. Energy Association and Lynne Fowler, Senior Vice President, Gee Strategies Group
View presentation - North American Electric Reliability Corporation winter reliability assessment, December 13, 2021
Speaker: Mark Olson, Manager, Reliability Assessments, NERC
View presentation - SoCal Gas: Role of Clean Fuels and Business Transformation Workstream, November 15, 2021
Speakers: N. Jonathan Peress and Despina Niehaus, SoCal Gas
View presentation - Joint with Committee on Energy Resources and Environment: Gas Utility Regulation for a Time of Transition, June 21, 2021
Speakers: Mark LeBel, Associate, Regulatory Assistance Project and Erin M. Blanton, Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy
View presentation - NERC 2021 Summer Reliability Assessment, June 14, 2021
Speakers: Jim Robb, President and CEO and Mark Olson, Manager, Reliability Assessment, North American Electric Reliability Corporation
View presentation - Investing in Natural Gas Pipeline Infrastructure to Support Net-Zero Targets, May 24, 2021
Speakers: Erin M. Blanton, Melissa C. Lott, and Kirsten Nicole Smith, Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy
View presentation - The Effects of Winter Storm Uri on Natural Gas Utilities, April 16, 2021
Speakers: John Gunnells, Manager, State Affairs and Juan Alvarado, Director, Energy Analysis, American Gas Association
View presentation - Elemental Sulfur and Di-Thiazine Formation in Natural Gas Pipelines, March 19, 2021
Speaker: Matt Smith, Illinois Commerce Commission
View presentation - U.S.-Europe Methane Strategy, January 15, 2021
Facilitated by Commissioner Diane X. Burman, New York and Commissioner D. Ethan Kimbrel, Illinois
Speaker: Shawn Bennett, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas, U.S. Department of Energy
View recording
View presentation - Benefits of U.S. Oil and Natural Gas, December 18, 2020
Opening remarks by Commissioner Diane X. Burman, New York
Speaker: Shawn Bennett, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas, U.S. Department of Energy
View recording
View presentation - Con Edison AMI-Enabled Natural Gas Detector Program Briefing, October 16, 2020
Opening remarks by Commissioner Diane X. Burman, New York
Co-moderators:- Commissioner Jay Balasbas, Washington
- Kevin Speicher, Chief, Natural Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety, New York State Department of Public Service
- Marc Huestis, Senior Vice President, Gas Operations, Consolidated Edison of New York
- Melissa Corniel, Project Manager, Project Management & Customer Programs, Consolidated Edison of New York
- Jonathan Diaz, Engineer, Gas Distribution Integrity Management, Consolidated Edison of New York
View presentation - ARPA-E REPAIR Briefing, September 18, 2020
Opening remarks by Commissioner Diane X. Burman, New York
Co-moderators:- Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, North Dakota
- Commissioner D. Ethan Kimbrel, Illinois
- Dr. Jack Lewnard, Program Director, ARPA-E
- Dr. Todd Danko, Principal Roboticist, GE Global Research
- Dr. Farah Singer, Associate Project Manager, ULC Robotics
- Dr. Gerald Wilson, President & CEO, Autonomic Materials
View presentation - Dynamic Delivery: America's Evolving Oil and Natural Gas Transportation Infrastructure, August 17, 2020
Speakers:- Amy Shank, Williams Companies
- Shawn Bennett, U.S. DOE
- Paul McNutt, ConocoPhillips
- Brooke Harris, ExxonMobil
- Mark Gebbia, Williams Companies
- Jay Churchill, Phillips 66
- Doug Sauer, Phillips 66
View presentation - Natural Gas Policy Institute, August 27 - 28, 2019, Chicago, IL
NARUC members spoke on three panels covering gas-electric interdependencies, resilience and reliability of natural gas infrastructure, and methane leak detection technologies during an educational event hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Regulators built valuable links to state legislators and improved their understanding of the role of public utility commissions and legislatures in enhancing pipeline reliability and efficiency. - Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Workshop, July 23, 2019, Indianapolis, IN
State regulators led an informational workshop at NARUC’s 2019 Summer Policy Summit exploring renewable natural gas (RNG) from production to processing, transmission and distribution, and end uses. Expert panelists representing a wide range of stakeholders provided an orientation on RNG, overview of benefits and barriers, and summary of infrastructure issues associated with interconnecting higher levels of RNG in existing pipelines. The workshop concluded with a discussion of options available to state regulators and policymakers to advance the RNG market to deliver benefits to ratepayers and the environment. NARUC staff produced a summary of the presentations and discussions. - 2019 Cove Point LNG Tour, February 12, 2019, Lusby, MD
NARUC staff worked with Dominion Energy, NARUC members, and DOE to schedule a tour of the Cove Point LNG export facility in Lusby, Maryland, in conjunction with the NARUC 2019 Winter Policy Summit on February 12, 2019. Commissioners toured the facility and discussed regulatory oversight of LNG export. - 2018 Methane Leak Detection Technologies Site Visit and Technical Workshop, September 18 - 19, 2018, Boston, MA
On September 18 and 19, 2018, NARUC commissioners visited Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI) and Heath Consultants in Andover, MA, to tour a project funded by the DOE Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR) program. The PSI/Heath project team was researching drone-based methane leak detection and exhibited this technology for commission attendees during an in-person visit on September 18, 2018. Attendees also participated in a technical workshop on September 19, 2018 at the Massachusetts DPU in Boston highlighting a full suite of commercially available technologies for leak detection.
Funder:
NARUC is grateful to the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas for funding the Natural Gas Infrastructure Modernization Partnership (NGIMP), which enables the resources and activities described on this webpage.
Key Members of the Natural Gas Infrastructure Modernization Partnership:
- Commissioner Diane X. Burman, Chair of NGIMP, New York State Public Service Commission
- Andreas Thanos, Staff Chair of NGIMP, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
- Commissioner D. Ethan Kimbrel, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Commissioner Jay Balasbas, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
