PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
8/31/2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # CM: 083115
Subject:
Long Beach Gas Utility Honored by Peers with Prestigious Award
Contact:
The City of Long Beach Gas and Oil Department’s natural gas utility has been honored with the prestigious System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Award. The natural gas utility is one of only nine utilities nationwide to receive this selective honor that is presented annually by the American Public Gas Association (APGA).
“I am very proud that our City has been recognized for our strong commitment to maintaining this critical infrastructure and for making safety a top priority,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.
To receive such recognition, a natural gas utility must demonstrate commitment to excellence in four areas: System Integrity, System Improvement, Workforce Development, and Employee Safety.
A total of 997 municipal gas utilities operate in the United States. Long Beach is the only municipal natural gas utility in the United States to be recognized two years in a row.
The Long Beach natural gas utility operates and maintains more than 1,900 miles of natural gas pipeline. Annually, Long Beach Gas and Oil reinvests approximately $8 million to $10 million into pipeline replacement to ensure the safe delivery of natural gas without service interruptions.
“Since our employees in the field work with this potentially explosive product on a daily basis, it is important that we provide them the proper training and equipment to accomplish this in a safe and productive manner,” said Chris Garner, Director of Long Beach Gas and Oil.
The award was announced at the APGA’s Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, in July.
“I am very proud that our City has been recognized for our strong commitment to maintaining this critical infrastructure and for making safety a top priority,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.
To receive such recognition, a natural gas utility must demonstrate commitment to excellence in four areas: System Integrity, System Improvement, Workforce Development, and Employee Safety.
A total of 997 municipal gas utilities operate in the United States. Long Beach is the only municipal natural gas utility in the United States to be recognized two years in a row.
The Long Beach natural gas utility operates and maintains more than 1,900 miles of natural gas pipeline. Annually, Long Beach Gas and Oil reinvests approximately $8 million to $10 million into pipeline replacement to ensure the safe delivery of natural gas without service interruptions.
“Since our employees in the field work with this potentially explosive product on a daily basis, it is important that we provide them the proper training and equipment to accomplish this in a safe and productive manner,” said Chris Garner, Director of Long Beach Gas and Oil.
The award was announced at the APGA’s Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, in July.