Blogs

On June 1, APGA staff and members participated in a webinar hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Hurricane season officially started this week, so this event provided awareness of CISA’s role and resources in preparedness and response activities associated with systems that make landfall. There were also presentations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC). All of these groups highlighted the resources available to public utilities should they need them during this hurricane season, which NOAA predicts will be above-normal, at least in the Atlantic.

History has proven that in past storms, natural gas utilities have been able to maintain their operations with very limited outages, which is a testament to the reliability of public gas infrastructure. That same vigilance of the workforce will be needed this year to ensure all the customers of APGA members continue their service during this hurricane season.

Pertinent information from federal government partners will be shared with members by APGA staff, as it becomes available. Public gas utilities are encouraged to ensure steps are taken to prepare for this year’s hurricane season, including joining APGA’s Mutual Aid program. Information on that can be found at www.apga.org/programs/mutual-aid. 

For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-544-1334 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.