Fountain Inn, SC — On March 18, the City of Fountain Inn joins communities across the country in recognizing Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day, honoring the dedicated professionals who safely deliver reliable natural gas service to homes and businesses every day.
The Fountain Inn Natural Gas Department, made up of 18 highly trained employees, works year-round to operate, maintain, and protect the City’s natural gas system. From responding to service calls and maintaining infrastructure to ensuring safety compliance and system reliability, these employees perform critical work that often happens behind the scenes but is essential to daily life.
Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day was first established in 2015 by the American Public Gas Association (APGA) to recognize the hard work and commitment of natural gas utility professionals across the country. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the national recognition.
March 18 was intentionally selected for the observance. The date commemorates the 1937 New London, Texas school incident, which ultimately led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and a renewed national focus on safety within the industry. Today, safety remains the cornerstone of natural gas distribution, and utility workers across the country are committed to ensuring natural gas is delivered as safely and reliably as possible.
“Our natural gas team works quietly behind the scenes, but their impact is felt across our entire community,” said City Administrator Shawn M. Bell. “Their commitment to safety, reliability, and service ensures that Fountain Inn residents and businesses can depend on their natural gas system every day.”
Eduardo Noriega, Director of Natural Gas for the City of Fountain Inn, emphasized the dedication of the department’s employees.
“Our team takes tremendous pride in serving this community,” Noriega said. “Whether we are maintaining infrastructure, responding to service calls, or preparing our system for future growth, safety and reliability are always our top priorities. Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the hard work and professionalism of the people who keep this system running every day.”
The City of Fountain Inn is proud to recognize these dedicated professionals and thank them for their commitment to serving the community.
Residents are encouraged to join the City in recognizing the contributions of natural gas utility workers on March 18.