FAQ: Natural Gas and Safety
Question: Is natural gas a safe way to heat your home?
Answer: Yes, natural gas is a safe way to heat your home. Natural gas is delivered to customers through a 2.8-million-mile underground pipeline system, that is predominantly underground, looped and shielded from many major disruptive events, making it a reliable and safe way to heat your home. America’s natural gas utilities invest $37 billion each year in enhancing the safety of natural gas distribution and transmission systems, helping to ensure a resilient, clean and safe natural gas system. Eight in ten adults using natural gas in their home trust their service to heat their home safely.
Question: How is natural gas delivered?
Answer: Natural gas is delivered through a nearly 3 million-mile underground pipeline system, including approximately 2.4 million miles of local utility distribution pipelines and 400,000 miles of transmission and gathering pipelines. Much of the natural gas delivery system runs on its own supply, and the ability to store more natural gas further strengthens the self-reliant attributes of the system.
Question: How much do natural gas utilities invest in safety?
Answer: America’s natural gas utilities invest $37 billion each year to help enhance the safety of natural gas distribution and transmission systems. Additionally, utilities implement Pipeline Safety Management Systems and participate in pear reviews and tabletop exercises like Natural Gas Exercise (NGX) led by AGA help to further enhance safety practices and promote risk awareness and mitigation.
Question: How does the industry share lessons learned and strengthen performance?
Answer: AGA leads and organizes peer reviews to enable member companies to share leading practices for advancing safety and improving efficiency. Since the AGA National Peer Review program began in 2015, AGA has administered 160 peer reviews and virtual assessments on 385 topics and engaged with more than 1,800 subject matter experts.
Question: Is the natural gas system prepared for cyber threats?
Answer: Yes. Cyber security is a top priority. Natural gas utilities are engaged in cyber and physical security efforts including threat sharing and cyber review work aligned with TSA Pipeline Security Guidelines. AGA will host the third Natural Gas Exercise in 2026, a nationwide tabletop drill focused on cybersecurity, physical security and business continuity.