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March 18 spotlights natural gas employees’ role in serving nearly 189 million Americans with safe, reliable natural gas
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Technicians are first responders, keeping communities safe in natural gas emergencies, and play a vital role in modernizing the natural gas delivery system
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Gov. Andy Beshear has issued a proclamation recognizing the day in Kentucky
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B-roll: Natural gas employees
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas celebrate the 10th annual Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18, 2025. The annual celebration spotlights natural gas workers’ role in providing nearly 189 million Americans with safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service every day.
More than 3,000 Duke Energy/Piedmont and contract workers are responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of more than 35,000 miles of natural gas infrastructure in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Technicians often are first responders and on the front lines when natural gas emergencies occur. Their work expanding and modernizing the natural gas delivery system will help meet the service needs of customers and growing communities, while also providing the infrastructure needed to replace higher-carbon fuels.
“Our Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas employees routinely go above and beyond to serve our customers and our communities, all while making safety their No. 1 priority,” said Brian Weisker, Duke Energy senior vice president and president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business. “I take pride in their level of commitment, not only to their jobs but to taking active roles and being leaders in the communities where they live and work.”
“Duke Energy employees perform inspiring work every day, whether it’s by putting in long hours to restore customers’ power or supporting their friends and neighbors in times of need,” said Amy Spiller, Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky state president. “We are proud to honor our natural gas workers as part of this celebration and beyond. Their hard work is vital to serving our region.”
On Feb. 26, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a proclamation recognizing March 18, 2025, as Natural Gas Utility Worker Appreciation Day.
“At a moment’s notice, these brave crews work in all weather systems and face dangerous conditions in order to maintain the energy infrastructure of our state,” the proclamation reads. “It is important for Kentucky to honor and recognize these workers for their contributions to the lives of Kentuckians and the success of our state’s economy.”
Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day, established by the American Public Gas Association in 2015, is intended to build public awareness about the hard work done by the employees of natural gas utilities and educate residents on the environmental, safety and cost benefits of using clean, reliable and affordable natural gas. It is celebrated March 18 to commemorate the date of a 1937 incident in New London, Texas, that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety.
More information on natural gas safety can be found at duke-energy.com/NaturalGasSafety and piedmontng.com/safety.
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 910,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 560,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area, in Ohio and Kentucky.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont Natural Gas earned the No. 1 spot in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas service in the South among large utilities, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: X, Facebook.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.
Media contact: Jason Wheatley
Media line: 877.348.3612
jason.wheatley@duke-energy.com
X: @PNG_JasonW