March 2025, Vol. 252, No. 3
Features
New Chair Sees SGA Uniting for Reliable Energy Future
Cristie Neller is the new Southern Gas Association (SGA) chair, leading the organization under the theme “Uniting for a Reliable Energy Future.” Neller serves as the Vice President of Administrative Services at BHE GT&S. BHE GT&S manages an integrated interstate gas transmission, storage, LNG, gathering and processing businesses spanning 10 states along the East Coast.
Neller began her career in the energy sector right out of college where she has held increasing positions of leadership across power generation, gas operations, engineering and construction before moving to her current role leading organizations through change and transition activities. Thirty years later, her passion for the industry continues to shine.
Special to Pipeline & Gas Journal
When you woke up this morning, think about the expectations you had as you started the day. Your hot water would be hot, your refrigerator cold, your home at a precise temperature, your coffee in hand. Whatever the daily essential that comes to mind, we can agree there are things in life, either for comfort or survival, that we rely on every day. Let me suggest that even if it wasn’t on your mind, energy is undeniably one of those things.
Many of us have spent our lives working to make sure our energy supply in the U.S. is reliable so it’s not top of mind each day, and we take pride in that. It’s what brought me to the natural gas industry when choosing where to start my career. One question to consider now; are we embracing the reality of what it will take to continue a reliable energy future? I think about that often.
As society grows and develops new technologies with immense power loads, the demand on the existing energy infrastructure has reached an all-time high. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. electricity consumption grew by 2% in the past year alone after nearly two decades of relatively steady demand.
Forecasts for electricity demand continue to grow and EIA projects similar growth in 2025 and 2026. This three-year consecutive growth in electricity demand has not been seen in over two decades (and yes, I’ve admitted to being around the industry long enough to see it firsthand).
Specifically, EIA expects electricity demand to grow the fastest in the industrial sector by 2-3% in the next two years as new semiconductor and battery manufacturing becomes operational. Similarly, in the commercial sector, demand projections increase by 2% in both 2025 and 2026 as data-center power consumption increases.
In addition to helping feed this electricity consumption, natural gas is used by more than 189 million Americans and 5.8 million businesses to keep their homes warm and stoves cooking. A decision that is helping their wallets, according to the American Gas Association, which estimates homes using natural gas are saving an average of $1,132 per year compared to those using all electricity.
But the benefits of having a reliable natural gas supply are often most appreciated when the temperatures dip and the thermostats move up. On the coldest winter day in the U.S., the natural gas system delivers 3x more energy than the electric system delivers on the hottest day of the year. That incredible demand is consistently met while emissions from the natural gas distribution system have declined by 70% since 1990.
The demand for natural gas is clear and forecasted energy needs are rising. While solutions are debated, one thing is indisputable – energy reliability is a fundamental expectation we can all agree on. The data is also clear on one other fact, natural gas must be part of the reliable energy mix.
It is in these two truths that I found my focus as the 2025 SGA chair, leading our members under the theme, “Uniting for a Reliable Energy Future.” SGA and its members are joined in this focus for the year ahead and are well equipped for the challenge.
There are several strengths within SGA that empower us to be solution-makers as we face this record energy consumption. First, SGA members represent every piece of the natural gas industry. Imagine having every perspective of an industry seated at one table. That’s exactly what SGA does. We collaborate with voices from the entire natural gas value chain to share knowledge and create a self-sustaining network of industry professionals.
In this new age of energy demand, coming together is only the first step. We must stretch ourselves further to discover the answers. Taking lessons from the past while keeping our eyes forward on our strong future, SGA members are learning from high-quality training that grows individuals, companies and the entire natural gas industry. SGA believes in the power of continuous learning at every stage of career growth.
Through our 515 on-demand courses, 13 certificate programs, 8 learning paths, and over 200 courses scheduled each year, our members also believe in the importance of learning. We’re in the business of constant improvement in this area. What’s next? Perhaps virtual reality and artificial intelligence could play a role in accelerating future training and qualifications.
Whether coming together for SGA meetings or completing one of our self-guided courses, we have one goal in mind. SGA wants to help solve the energy challenges of today and tomorrow to advance the natural gas industry. Why? Because our customers and country are counting on us, and we own this responsibility. After a conversation with one of our members, you will discover what it means to be a natural gas champion.
That’s because the natural gas workforce sees firsthand how the industry provides a reliable, safe, and environmentally beneficial solution to today’s energy pressures. If you are one of those seasoned veterans who built this industry, thank you and keep it up. If you’re a newer voice to join our ranks, I want to welcome you to the team. Your drive for excellence, learning, resiliency and determination is needed now more than ever.
It is an exciting time to be in natural gas. Challenging, absolutely, yet the innovations in technology paired with the creativity of our collective industry have allowed us to make significant leaps in the last decade. All in good time as the energy needs of today and the years to follow are growing at an accelerated rate.
The natural gas industry’s record speaks for itself, and while we can and should take pride in it, we must never be satisfied. If we are to be successful in the future, we must be ready to advance the message that natural gas is an essential part of a reliable energy future and deliver on that promise to our customers every single day.
As the members of SGA bring together voices from every part of the natural gas industry, we are uniting for a reliable energy future. Together, we will create a lasting impact and deliver the greatest value for our families, businesses, communities, economy and nation.
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