GRIMES, Iowa – March 13, 2023 — Every day, nearly 163,000 Black Hills Energy natural gas customers in Iowa depend on the hard-working dedication of gas utility workers keep natural gas flowing around the clock so families in our communities are safe and warm and can enjoy a hot shower or a freshly cooked meal on their natural gas range. It’s because of this focus on safety and dedication to customer service that National Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day is observed on March 18 of each year.

This year, we're recognizing our team members who work tirelessly to ensure our customers’ safety by responding to emergencies, challenging weather conditions and natural disasters and assisting local fire departments. They are always ready to provide the safe, reliable natural gas our communities depend on to fuel their homes and businesses.

Our employees are responsible for safely maintaining approximately 3,058 total miles of natural gas transmission and distribution lines in the state. And our 277 employees carefully maintain those lines to make sure homes and businesses in Iowa receive the natural gas they need. In addition to making sure that customers’ homes are kept warm during the winter, our employees can also be counted on to volunteer in their communities and support the Black Hills Cares program and annual United Way campaigns to lend a helping hand to neighbors in need.

“Each year we observe National Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18 to recognize our natural gas utility workers who safely provide natural gas to our customers,” said Shirley Welte, vice president for Iowa. “Our first priority is always public safety, but we also want to recognize our team members for always being ready to answer the call whether it’s working late into the evening to ensure our customers have heat on a cold night or volunteering for a non-profit or a local fire department. During another year of intense weather occurrences, our gas utility workers demonstrated their commitment to providing our community with safe, reliable and affordable natural gas. It’s because of their safe work ethic and dedication to customer service that we celebrate their efforts today and every day.”