Blogs

On May 11, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule amending its drug and alcohol (D&A) requirements under 49 CFR Part 40. In 2023, DOT amended regulations to add oral fluid testing as an additional drug testing method, and in certain situations, to require a directly-observed collection to be an oral fluid test as opposed to a urine test. However, because there are currently no Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certified laboratories available to perform oral fluid testing, employers cannot yet utilize this testing method.   Therefore, DOT made the following changes: Employers are permitted to use directly observed ...

APGA would like to congratulate the 2026 System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) program winners.  Launched in 2014, SOAR is an excellence recognition program for outstanding utility operations and safety practices. The program evaluates participants across four subject matters. The Employee Safety topic reviews a system’s dedication to ensuring the safety of your employees. This includes training, procedures and policies, programs, tools and equipment. The System Improvement topic reviews a system’s dedication to continuous improvement. This is evaluated through a system’s use of innovative tools and technologies, participation in industry ...

Summary Title: Gas - Natural Gas Compliance Coordinator ID: 1393 Location: Operations Center - 350 Sprinkle Avenue, Orangeburg, SC 29115 Department : Gas - Operations Center Campaign  Apply Online : Gas - Natural Gas Compliance Coordinator - Department of Public Utilities/City of Orangeburg Applications will be accepted through Application End Date on  Department of Public Utilities/City of Orangeburg' s web site at  www.orbgdpu.com or at 1016 Russell Street, Orangeburg, SC. DPU is an equal opportunity employer. Description Natural Gas Compliance Coordinator – Gas Division The purpose of this position is to perform intermediate ...

Date posted:  September 23, 2025 Pay:  $28.93 - $42.37 per hour Job description: ***All interested applicants MUST complete an employment application to be considered for the position***You may apply online at www.leesburgflorida.gov The purpose of the class is to perform and lead others in skilled tasks consisting of constructing, installing, and maintaining natural gas facilities.  The class is responsible for leading others, planning, supplies and materials, operating various types of general and special purpose equipment, inspecting work, minor equipment maintenance, training, and minor administrative tasks.   The class works ...

On February 11, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)  issued the Advisory Bulletin on Protecting Pipeline Integrity During Extreme Winter Weather, Rapid Thaw, and Geohazard Events . The advisory bulletin reminds operators of safety threats to pipelines, including: Heavy Snowfall and Ice Accumulation, which can impose significant external loads on above-ground pipeline facilities. Rapid Winter Thaw and Flooding, which can expose buried pipelines or undermine supports of above-ground facilities. Frost Heave and Ground movement, which may exert unusual stresses or strains on pipelines that may lead to buckling, girth ...

APGA is beginning a new Benchmark Program data collection effort next week, and we are hosting a webinar next Thursday, February 19 at 1:00pm ET, to answer questions that you may have.    The Benchmark Program hopes to allow APGA members to compare their system’s pipeline safety and operational metrics with other similarly sized systems, as well as ones that may be larger or smaller. This is an effort to assist in the sharing of best practices among the membership to further goals of continuous improvement, as well as pipeline and operational safety. The 2026 data will focus on Damage Prevention and the best practices surrounding systems' Damage Prevention ...

Last Thursday, APGA members had the opportunity to meet with the five Commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). APGA engages with the agency, as member systems are often impacted by FERC’s decisions pertaining to interstate transmission rate setting and subsequent rate cases, among other things. During the meetings, these member system representatives shared some of the current issues they were facing and engaged in a productive discussion regarding a few asks they had for FERC to consider. Following the meetings, APGA provided the commissioners with a letter to further outline our concerns.  On Tuesday, the House Energy & Commerce’s ...