Decatur Utilities and the DU Natural Gas Department have been recognized as a recipient of the 2024-2027 System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) SILVER Award – presented by the American Public Gas Association (APGA). The award recognizes DU’s efforts to improve its operational capabilities, overcome challenges, and adapt to its changing environment.
Operations Manager Gary Borden accepted the award at this week's APGA Annual Conference on behalf of DU and the Natural Gas Department.
Out of approximately 750 APGA members, Decatur Utilities was selected by its peer utilities on the APGA Operations and Safety Committee. The award reflects DU’s demonstration of excellence in system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development. DU has previously won the SOAR Bronze Award in 2018 and 2022.
System integrity refers to the natural gas distribution system performing its overall intended function safely, efficiently and effectively.
System improvement refers to keeping the natural gas system well maintained and up-to-date.
Employee safety refers to systems that exhibit excellence in programs that stress educational involvement and accountability.
Workforce development refers to a focus on creative recruitment, training, education and development practices.
To earn the Silver Award, DU scored between 90% and 96% on the evaluation. DU improved it's previous Bronze Award scores in the System Integrity and System Improvement categories by answering the award questions accurately, updating Gas Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) procedures, committing to pipe safety continuous improvement and holding annual mock drills.
APGA President and CEO Bert Kalisch offered his congratulations to the Decatur Utilities team. “DU serves as a model for all other natural gas utilities in the country,” Kalisch said. “APGA is proud to recognize DU and is confident in its continued success.”
DU General Manager Ray Hardin expressed his appreciation for DU’s recognition and commended the DU employee team as well. “Decatur Utilities takes natural gas safety and system integrity very seriously,” he said. “We appreciate being recognized by APGA as a SOAR award recipient.”
2024 SOAR Award Video:
Comments