Reliable | AGA 2026 Playbook

Natural gas is Reliable

A resilient energy system is essential to the operation of nearly every critical function and sector of the U.S. economy.

77% of adults view natural gas as a reliable way to heat their home, cook meals and help families complete household chores.

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Reliable

The natural gas system's physical characteristics provide stability to the energy system.

Pipeline infrastructure is predominantly underground, looped and shielded from many major disruptive events.

Much of the natural gas delivery system runs on its own supply.

The ability to store more natural gas further strengthens the self-reliant attributes of the system.

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83% of adults using natural gas in their home rely on it to keep their families warm during the winter.

On the coldest day of the year, the natural gas system delivers 3X more energy than the electric system delivers on the hottest day of the year.

When It Matters
the Most

Natural gas provides safe and reliable service to customers with few interruptions. Nearly 7 in 10 adults using natural gas in their homes are confident that their natural gas service and systems can withstand a severe weather event.

Storage More Important
Than Ever

Rapidly increasing demand pressures necessitate a rapid buildout of natural gas storage at a time when growth in underground storage capacity has slowed to just 0.1% per year. Action by policymakers is essential to avoid potential service interruptions during extreme weather, price shocks for consumers and impacts on grid reliability, particularly in integrating variable renewable energy sources.

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Energy You Can
Depend On

Only 1 in 628 customers are expected to experience a planned or unplanned natural gas outage in any given year.

Electric distribution systems have an average of one outage per year per customer.

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Coordination With
the Electric System

The electric system is relying on natural gas more than ever before.

AGA has partnered with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners to administer Natural Gas Readiness Forums and regional meetings to boost coordination between the natural gas and electric sectors to ensure preparedness for potential disaster and emergency situations. This program was endorsed in a report from the National Petroleum Council.

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A Reliable Investment

A report by the American Gas Association and the Canadian Gas Association shows that investor sentiment towards North American natural gas utilities has risen in recent years. Investors view natural gas utilities as attractive investments for maintaining stability in their portfolios while supplying a reliable and predictable return on equity (ROE).

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“Investors choose to invest in utilities because they provide a stable revenue stream accompanied by the low-risk level inherent to the business. Investors increasingly recognize the value of natural gas and related infrastructure to provide affordability, resilience and energy security for decades to come.”

Juan AlvaradoManaging Director, Energy Analysis, AGA

The natural gas delivery system is 0% efficient from production to customer.

Direct use of natural gas

Converting to Electricity

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