American Public Gas Association

The American Public Gas Association (APGA) is a not for profit trade organization representing America's publicly owned, natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs). APGA represents the interests of public gas before the United States Congress, federal agencies and other energy-related stakeholders by developing regulatory and legislative policies that further the goals of our members. Through APGA, public gas systems work together to stay informed about new developments in safety, public policy, operations, technology, and the marketplace. APGA organizes meetings, seminars, and workshops to improve reliability, operational efficiency, and the regulatory environment.

The American Public Gas Association began out of a need to provide a voice for municipal gas systems. In November 1961, the founding fathers, J.H. Johnston of Memphis, TN; F.H. King of Holyoke, MA; E. Switzer of Macon, MO; A. Verrips of Sioux Center, IA., and C. Wheatley of Washington, D.C., as well as representatives from systems in 14 states, met in Washington D.C to establish a nationally recognized organization to advocate on behalf of the Nation’s public gas systems.

The group appointed Mr. Francis H. King of Holyoke, MA as the Chairman of APGA pending the election of a President at the first annual conference. A month after the November meeting, on December 8, 1961, the American Public Gas Association was officially formed with the signing of the organizational charter. During this first year, APGA had just thirty members, which number has mushroomed during the ensuing fifty years to over 700 members nationwide.

Founding Objectives: The group set forth with a wide range of objectives, including specifically to, •To promote cooperation between public entities which own or operate gas distribution systems or gas facilities; •To promote the mutual improvement of its members; •To render service to its members, particularly in the fields of management • and operations; engineering, research, supply and demand, construction and safety; accounting and commercial practice; •To develop comprehensive legal and legislative policy; and •To find solution to common problems that affect all public gas systems.

The American Public Gas Association (APGA) is the only national association of publicly owned natural gas local distribution companies and has over 740 member utilities in 37 states. The term publicly owned natural gas systems applies to: