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March is one of our favorite times of year here at Gas South. The weather is warmer, the green beauty of Mother Nature reappears with the scent of flowers in bloom, and we welcome back another Women’s History Month. This week, as a company that’s proud of the diversity of our teams, we’re kicking off our celebration of this important time of year by spotlighting four of our own women leaders on what Women’s History Month means to them.

Name:
Ebony D. 
Title:
Sr. Manager, Customer Information Systems 

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? 

Women's History Month is a moment to shed light on the often overlooked and remarkable achievements of trailblazing women who have left an indelible mark on society, serving as inspiration for the next generation of young women to become trailblazers in their own right. To me, it’s also a chance for us to draw inspiration and find purpose in fulfilling the assignments that we believe are aligned with our calling.

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month? 

During Women's History Month, I celebrate by immersing myself in literature that highlights the achievements of inspiring women. Additionally, I actively share impactful stories through social media, shedding light on the contributions of remarkable women. I also prioritize supporting women-owned businesses and participating in events organized and/or led by women. 

Who is your favorite woman of history and why does she inspire you? 

Maya Angelou's story is profoundly inspirational. Despite not receiving a formal education, she made a lasting impact on the literary world in various ways. Following a traumatic experience, she chose silence for five years, during which she cultivated a love for reading and writing. This aspect of her journey resonates with me, challenging the common perception that difficult times signify the end of the road. Instead, it served as an opportunity for Maya Angelou to develop a deep passion and skill that propelled her to her purpose. It serves as a reminder that even in life's valleys, there are peaks of opportunity that can shape my future and leave a meaningful mark on the world. 

Of the women you’ve known personally, who has made the biggest positive impact in your own life—and how?

My mother has been the most influential and positive on me. She instilled in my brother and me the value of working with excellence, emphasizing that if a task is worth doing, it's worth doing right. Her unshakeable faith in God has been a guiding light, teaching me to center every aspect of my life around my faith.

Her wisdom is reflected in a multitude of quotes she imparts, showcasing her exceptional writing skills evident in the numerous poems and plays she has crafted. I aspire to publish her work someday along with some of my own. Her mantra of always doing what’s right resonates deeply, and she readily shares her vast knowledge of Bible scriptures whenever I seek guidance. Her compassionate heart knows no bounds, and she effortlessly relates a scripture to any situation I bring to her. As I raise my own children, I strive to instill the same values she has ingrained in me. I can only hope to be half the exceptional mother she has been to my brother and me. 

Name:
Harli G.
Title:
HR Business Partner

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?  

It means that we focus on honoring women from all walks of life, backgrounds, cultures and industries to celebrate and acknowledge who they are. 

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month?

By elevating and celebrating the women around me. But I do feel like it’s something we should do year-round and not just on Women's History Month. It’s so important that my daughter gets to see this celebration, so that she’s able to celebrate who she is authentically. 

Who is your favorite woman of history and why does she inspire you?

Well, I would be lying if I didn't say Oprah. What Oprah does is inspire emotionally and spiritually. She’s able to have several platforms where women can come and be celebrated, let their hair down and just be authentically themselves. She tells woman it's OK to be vulnerable, it's OK to be authentic and you don't have to apologize for who you are. If they tell you no, find another way. 

Of the women you’ve known personally, who has made the biggest positive impact in your own life—and how?  

Actually, there are two at Gas South. One is Aisha D., and the other is Aquanetta L. These two women have seen me through the good, the bad and the ugly, and they manage to love me and accept me regardless. 

Name:
Dr. Sheirra M. G.
Title:
Support Specialist

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? 

Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the countless contributions of women throughout history, across various fields such as politics, science, literature, art, education and more. It raises awareness about the often overlooked or marginalized roles women have played in shaping societies worldwide. By highlighting their accomplishments, struggles and successes, Women's History Month helps to create a more inclusive and accurate historical narrative. Women's History Month is also a way to inspire future generations of girls and women to pursue their passions, break barriers and strive for excellence in their chosen fields. Women's History Month serves as a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in advancing gender equality while also recognizing the ongoing work that is needed to create a more just and equitable world for all. 

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month? 

I am intentional about supporting women-owned businesses. I attend events hosted by women and volunteer with organizations that support women’s rights and gender equality. Finally, I simply take time to honor and celebrate the important women in my life. 

Who is your favorite woman of history and why does she inspire you? 

Rosa Parks. Often referred to as the mother of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks was a key figure in the fight against racial segregation in the United States. Her refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. 

Of the women you’ve known personally, who has made the biggest positive impact in your own life—and how?

There is currently a small circle of women who collectively have the biggest impact in my life. Some of these women include my mom, bonus mom, aunts, cousins, and a group of close friends I call SIS (Selebrating in Sisterhood LLC). From authentically supporting me, encouraging me, pushing me, challenging me for the better and showing up for me whenever I need them, I could not imagine life without these women. Happy Women’s History Month!! 

Name:
Carley S.
Title:
Manager of Community Affairs

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? 

It's a time set aside to celebrate women, amplify their voices and elevate women’s issues and challenges. A time when people can come together and give attention to women, learn more about women, listen to women and hopefully DO something to positively impact women. 

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month? 

I celebrate all year long—not just during March! I love reading “Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls” to my daughter, watching female-focused movies and series like “The Morning Show”, “Poor Things” and “Fargo, season 5”. I give compliments freely (I try daily) to other women, mentor women inside and outside of work and try to champion issues like gender equality and childcare using my social media platforms. 

Who is your favorite woman of history and why does she inspire you?

Currently, I’m inspired by MacKenzie Scott Tuttle. She’s a novelist, and most know her now as a philanthropist. She married Jeff Bezos (of Amazon) and worked with Bezos to create what Amazon is today. She divorced in 2019 and was named the wealthiest woman in the world. She has signed the Giving Pledge where she has committed to give away most of her wealth to charity over her lifetime. To date, she has donated over $16 BILLION of unrestricted funds, embracing trust-based philanthropy. She has turned traditional philanthropy on its head, and I love it! 

Of the women you’ve known personally, who has made the biggest positive impact in your own life—and how?

Of course, my momma! She has been my biggest supporter, even when she didn’t agree with all my choices or decisions. She showed me how to be loving, caring, kind as well as how to be a businesswoman. She went back to college in her 30’s and started her own business. She pursued her passion, had faith in herself and still never passes up the opportunity to give someone a compliment. She taught me that people don’t remember accomplishments, they remember how you make them feel, so always treat people with respect and kindness.

Thanks for reading this spotlight on some of our women leaders. Happy Women’s History Month from all of us here at Gas South, Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas provider. 

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At Gas South, part of our purpose to Be A Fuel For Good means we give back 5% of profits each year to help support children in need. Last year, we were able to give back a record $4.5 million to this effort, and most of that money went to our 10 Fuel For Good Allies—charitable partners that focus on childhood education, basic needs and health.  

To highlight these groups and the important work they do, we’ll be featuring each of them in the coming months in our blog posts. February was a shoutout to our esteemed partner 100 Black Men of Atlanta. And this month, we’re featuring Bert’s Big Adventure, a group we’ve been proud to partner with since 2017. 

“We love our relationship with Bert's Big Adventure,” said Carley Stephens, Gas South Manager of Community Affairs. “It’s so rewarding to be a part of an organization that brings so many smiles, memories and special moments to kids dealing with illness.” 

Founded as a nonprofit in 2002 by nationally syndicated radio host Bert Weis, Bert’s Big Adventure provides all-expenses-paid trips to Walt Disney World for children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses and their families, as well as support through Family Reunion Adventures, daily hospital visits and more.  

What started as a trip for a few Atlanta families with Bert’s Big Adventure more than two decades ago now positively impacts 270 children and more than 1,200 of their family members throughout the U.S. 

A few months ago, Gas South was honored to donate $250,000 to Bert’s Big Adventure to continue helping in this cause, as well as committing to volunteer and be part of the group’s events—watch a short video about the most-recent Bert’s Big Adventure Reunion. 

“Anytime we’re at one of their events, like last month's sendoff to Walt Disney World, we can feel the positive impact on these families, and it’s infectious!” Stephens said. “Who doesn’t love being part of something magical?” 

At Gas South, we’re all proud to be part of this magic in the communities we serve, and we’re thankful to everyone who shares in that by being a Gas South customer. Together, we’re making a difference. 

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As experts in everything natural gas, we field a lot of questions about this clean-burning and abundant source of fuel here at Gas South. One we hear quite often is: What’s the difference between natural gas and propane? So, as a company always seeking to deliver extra value to our customers, we thought we’d tackle that topic in our blog this week so you can be in the know. Read on to learn more.

Table of Contents

Propane versus Natural Gas: The Differences 
1. Origins
2. Composition
3. Storage and Transport
4. Affordability

Propane Versus Natural Gas: The Similarities 
1. Uses
2. Safety
3. Sustainability

Propane Versus Natural Gas: The Differences

  1. Origins: Both natural gas and propane are considered fossil fuels, meaning they’re produced from ancient, decaying plants and animals deep below the surface of the earth—people find evidence of these plants and animals as fossils. Of course, a small percentage of natural gas these days is collected from decaying organic material in landfills—it’s called renewable natural gas, and it’s proving to be an important energy resource in the push for sustainability. But most natural gas is harvested through drilling underground, where it’s then piped to a refinery. Propane, on the other hand, doesn’t exist naturally and is, in fact, a byproduct of natural gas processing and the refining of crude oil and petroleum. 
     
  2. Composition: Natural gas is mostly made up of methane (97%) but also contains smaller amounts of other higher alkanes, as well as low levels of gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen and helium. Its molecular formula is CH4. Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula C3H8. 
     
  3. Storage and Transport: As we mentioned above, natural gas is usually transported through pipelines. It can be stored in several ways: in underground reservoirs, in tanks above ground or in the pipes it’s being transported through. It can also be turned into compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas to make transport easier. Propane is always stored in tanks of some sort in its liquefied form, which can make transport easy to places where natural gas can’t be delivered—typically because the infrastructure doesn’t exist in those places. 
     
  4. Affordability: Although both fuel sources remain two of the most energy efficient and cost effect, prices can vary, especially when we compare them to each other in different scenarios and markets. In some cases, propane is the more affordable option, but this tends to not be true in places where natural gas infrastructure is already set up. If you have access to natural gas, it’s likely you’ll save on your energy expenses using this option as a fuel, and it can be piped directly to you without much thought on your part. Propane, however, isn’t typically delivered through pipes this way, which means it will be delivered periodically by a truck when it’s needed for purposes like heating. When the truck arrives, the operator will refill a tank that sits outside your home or business. For occasional use that requires small amounts of propane (like a gas grill), it can be purchased in small tanks at any number of stores and retail outlets. 

Propane Versus Natural Gas: The Similarities

  1. Uses: As we noted above, natural gas and propane are stored and delivered in different ways, as either a liquid or gas, and that can affect accessibility and cost. But both are commonly used for heating homes and businesses, cooking, backyard grilling, heating water and as fuel for vehicles, equipment and appliances. 
     
  2. Safety: Both natural gas and propane are considered safe sources of fuel and are highly regulated to keep them that way. An example of this is the odorant added to each because both, without help from industry, would be hard to detect in the case of a leak. To help with this, a foul-smelling odorant, mercaptan, is added to both to make it obvious when there’s a leak. 
     
  3. Sustainability: When compared to propane, natural gas is the more widely used choice for several reasons—cost and availability, as we discussed above, are two of the biggest. But both are highly efficient, clean-burning forms of fuel, and they’re helping lead the way to a more sustainable way of life—see more about this in our blog on natural gas as a bridge fuel to cleaner energy. 
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February celebrates Black History Month, a time each year in the U.S. to recognize and pay homage to the sacrifices and contributions African Americans have made in shaping our country. It’s an important month we’re proud to honor here at Gas South, and so we wanted to kick off our celebration with a salute this week to one of our charitable partners, 100 Black Men of Atlanta. 

As a national organization, 100 Black Men of America has positively impacted more than 125,000 youth across the country. The Atlanta chapter, which is one of the largest and serves as the group’s national headquarters, works to address educational issues affecting youth in Atlanta, as well as matters of public policy, health, social and economic issues.

We’ve been proud to partner with this group since 2021, donating money and volunteer hours to their cause. In 2023, 100 Black Men of Atlanta became one of our 10 Fuel For Good Allies. These are groups that focus on childhood education, basic needs and health, and we were pleased to donate $175,000 to the group a few months ago to aid in this effort.

“Gas South’s partnership with the Emerging 100 of Atlanta has been positively instrumental in the lives of so many children,” said Diriki Geuka, president of Emerging 100 of Atlanta, an auxiliary group of 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

With help from Gas South, Geuka said, the organization has been able to provide complimentary SAT/ACT instructional courses for an entire class of seniors at B.E.S.T. Academy High School, provide school supplies for hundreds of students, mentor hundreds of college students across four Atlanta university campuses and provide complimentary financial, physical, social and mental health resources for young professionals throughout the city—see our short video on Empowering Atlanta’s Youth with 100 Black Men and the Emerging 100.

“In May 2024, we’ll continue our longstanding tradition of academic support by providing several deserving students with scholarships of $10,000 each,” Geuka said. “With support from Gas South, the Atlanta chapter of the Emerging 100 continues to serve as a model and flagship chapter for youth-focused community service nationwide!” 

“Gas South's purpose is to Be A Fuel For Good with a focus on supporting children in need,” said Gas South Chief Financial Officer Jamie Tiernan. “The good and often unsung work of ‘The 100’ beautifully aligns with this purpose by preparing young men and women to realize their highest potential. We’re proud to partner with 100 Black Men of Atlanta on the B.E.S.T. Academy, offering interactive mentoring sessions focused on college and career readiness, scholarships to high school seniors and college students enrolled in the Atlanta public school system or Georgia’s university system who need funds to subsidize tuition, books and other educational expenses.” 

Gas South looks forward to another year of partnering with 100 Black Men of Atlanta—and all of our Fuel For Good Allies—as we strive to make a difference in the communities we serve. Happy Black History Month from all of us here at Gas South, Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas provider. 

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Now that 2023 is behind us, we wanted to take a few moments in this week’s blog to do a quick recap of some of the great happenings here at Gas South in the last year.

Some of the more exciting news is that we were able to give back more than $4.5 million in profits to help support children in need in 2023—our most charitable year striving to Be A Fuel For Good yet! On top of that, our employees volunteered more than 1,200 hours. All of that is time and money that went to groups in the communities we serve that focus on childhood education, basic need and health—so children who need support can go on to lead successful lives.

We also made a shift last year to concentrate these philanthropic efforts on 10 Fuel For Good Allies. These are non-profit partners that do exceptional work to help children in need, and we’re excited to continue working with them in the year ahead.

Sustainability matters to us too, and that’s why, for the last several years, we’ve made ongoing investments to solar projects. By the end of 2024, that investment is predicted to total $63 million. Our plan is to continue seeking such opportunities because, in addition to helping support children in need, we know protecting the planet is one of the best ways to make a difference—and the difference is good.

Beyond helping the communities we serve, we’re also committed to supporting the needs of our employees. And part of how we do that is through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), designed to cater to the personal and professional development of the great folks that help make Gas South an exceptional place to work. We’re always looking to build on this, and so we also created a new ERG last year called the Young Professionals Group, which was brought forth to help support employees 35 or younger (though anyone can be involved) through networking opportunities and mentorships. This latest group brings our total to five, and we’re excited to add even more to the roster in 2024.

On the customer front, we continued to make progress as well, and we’re happy to report our year-end total for 2023 came to more than 470,000 customers. That growth is important for our mission to Be A Fuel For Good, as it’s critical to the donation amounts we’re able to give back each year—and we’re thankful to each customer for being part of making that difference.

This expansion also means we need more space to do all this good. And so earlier in the year, we opened a new, bigger office at our Gainesville, Florida, location that accommodates about 150 employees based there. This new space is almost double that of our previous Gainesville office and was designed with innovation and collaboration in mind. Later in 2024, we’re also planning to relocate our Atlanta headquarters to The Battery, which promises more space and closer proximity to the Atlanta Braves, who we’ve been proud to be the official natural gas sponsor of for years.

Thanks for reading about some of our 2023 highlights. Whether it’s serving you with great natural gas rates and top-rated service or making a difference for employees and our communities, we’re looking forward to 2024.

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When it comes to giving gifts, it’s hard to beat items that help your friends and loved ones save money on energy expenses. This week, we’re sharing five energy-saving gift ideas for the holidays to help get you started. 

  1. Solar-Powered Toys 
    Still searching for gift ideas for the little ones in your life? Try a solar-powered toy. You won’t ever have to purchase batteries or recharge them with electricity, and many also offer a chance for children to develop their creativity, building skills and knowledge of green concepts. Here are some fun ideas: 
    TEMI STEM Solar Robot Kit for Kids 
    4 Set STEM Solar Motor Kit 
    OWI Super Solar Recycler

  2. Stovetop Coffee Makers
    About 2/3 of American adults drink at least one cup of coffee every day—and many of us are brewing that up at home. But electric models aren’t that efficient when it comes to energy use, particularly when they get older. A great alternative—especially if you’ve got an energy-saving natural gas stove—is to purchase a stovetop coffee maker, also known as a moka pot or Italian coffee maker. Here are a few highly rated picks that would be great gift ideas:
    CUISINOX Roma 10-Cup Stainless Stovetop Moka Expresso Maker
    Bialetti Moka Express
    IMUSA Expresso Stovetop Coffeemaker

  3. Smart Thermostats
    One of the best ways to cut down on energy use is by installing a smart thermostat. They automatically adjust the temperature of your home according to your preferences and include other convenient, energy-saving features. Plus, if you should ever have the need, many can be adjusted with your mobile device even when you’re far from home. Here are several we like:
    Google Nest Learning Thermostat
    ecobee New Smart Thermostat Premium
    Amazon Smart Thermostat

  4. Solar-Powered Chargers
    Do you have a friend or loved one always on the move with frequent device charging issues? Gift them a solar-powered battery charger for their phones, laptops and tablets this holiday season, and they can stay powered up even when they’re not near a traditional source of electricity. Here are a few of the brands on the market with good reviews:
    SoloForce Solar Power Bank
    Voltzy Solar Power Bank
    Smart Gear Solar Power Bank

  5. Energy Monitoring Devices
    If you’re trying to cut electricity use at home, it’s probably a good idea to get a sense of which devices and appliances are using the most energy. Energy monitors, which connect to your home’s electricity meter, are one of the best ways to do that. Many let you track usage at a specific appliance, circuit or at the whole-home level, giving you key insight into where you might need to make changes. Here are three top choices that would make welcome gifts:
    Sense Home Energy
    CURB Home Energy Monitoring System
    efergy Engage 
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When it comes to the success of a business, none can overlook the importance of sales professionals. They’re key to generating profit, establishing meaningful relationships with customers and providing key market insights. This is especially true at Gas South, and we’re proud of the hard work and commitment each of our sales representatives puts in each day. This week in recognition of National Salesperson Day, we caught up with our own veteran deal closer Nathan H., a commercial acquisition specialist and team lead we’re all happy to have here making a difference. 

Photo of Nathan H.

Hi, Nathan. How long have you been at Gas South? 

January will be three years.   

I know you came over when Gas South acquired Infinite Energy? How long were you there?   

I was with Infinite Energy for two years before coming over to Gas South. 

Did you start out in sales at Infinite?

I Did. I have always been on the commercial sales team.   

What about before that? Was natural gas your first adventure into sales? 

No. I’ve had some type of sales role since I was about 15, but the majority of my sales experience has been in the automotive and technology industries. Prior to coming on board with Infinite, I was the director of finance at a car dealership.

How’s your experience been working here the past few years? What’s the best part? And what about Sales, specifically?

My experience here has been extremely positive. Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive. I feel the merging of cultures between Infinite and Gas South have complimented each other well. Having experienced different sales environments, the support and tools I’ve received from peers and leadership to help me be more successful in my role far exceeds what I experienced in the past. So I’d say the best part is working with our team.

In regard to sales specifically, it’s always fun to close a sale, but the best part is the opportunity to build new relationships with people. You’re dealing with different personalities and needs, so every day is a different challenge.  It’s rewarding when you’re able to show someone how what we do can positively impact them.

What’s the most challenging part about your job? And how do you overcome that?

Being consistent is one of the most challenging parts. I’m on an outbound sales team, so it’s up to me to reach out and create new opportunities for myself, and that can be a grind. In some instances, a sale you’ve been working on may not come to fruition for months or even years. Staying focused, organized and understanding that the work I put in today, while I may not see it immediately, has a direct impact on my future success.  

What do you do in your off hours? What’s fun? Family? Friends? Pets? Do you have any hobbies or other interests you can share?

The majority of my off hours are dedicated to my family.  I have an amazing wife and 6-year-old son.  We have a dog and a saltwater aquarium.  If I do get some time outside of that, I’m into pretty much anything car related, and I have an older car I like to work on when I get the chance.

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At Gas South, striving to Be A Fuel For Good means more than offering great rates, top-rated service and a commitment to the communities we serve. It also means we’re dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees. We express our appreciation and support for them in a number of ways, but one we wanted to talk about this week is our TrailBlaze Mentorship Program. 

In November, we wrapped up the second year of this six-month program with a graduation ceremony for 54 employees—more than double last year’s program. Throughout the 2023 TrailBlaze Mentorship Program, participants attended workshops and took part in personalized coursework based on their specific interests, all with the hope that mentees and mentors would build connections, gain new perspectives and grow personally and professionally. 

“This year’s program was phenomenal,” said Gas South’s Courtney S., who serves as coordinator for the program. “We focused on participants’ professional development and hosted workshops on topics like understanding personality types, imposter syndrome and self-advocacy. I’ve seen exponential growth in our mentees and mentors throughout the year—a few have even been promoted since taking part. I’m excited to see what the future holds for our outstanding participants as we continue to expand the program and take it to new horizons.” 

”One of those participants, mentee Cynthia O., said, “My mentor has made such a positive impact on me. I’ve enjoyed discussing current events and topics with her. And I've been able to apply the methodologies and frameworks she uses in business in my personal and professional life. Some of that included framing important conversations, planning presentations and using my new favorite tool, Trello!” 

Mentor Catherine B. said, “Being part of TrailBlaze as a mentor has been one of the best experiences I’ve had at Gas South. My mentee and I hit it off, and it was wonderful to learn about her life, career goals and what drives and motivates her. I was excited to become a cheerleader for her.” 

“The more time we put in together, the more we both got out of the process,” Catherine said. “Listening, empathizing, being supportive and also having hard and honest conversations for areas to grow really helped shape me and the way that I perceive others.” 

“I think the one biggest misconception I had at first about being a mentor was only thinking it would be a growth opportunity for my mentee,” Catherine said. “I wasn’t considering the growth and opportunities that it brought me. I gained confidence, leadership skills, built up my internal network and grew in so many ways. I’m so grateful to have experienced this process, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.” 

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Today celebrates each of the men and women who’ve bravely served in the U.S. Armed Forces, protecting our country, our way of life and the liberties we all hold dear. In recognition of their service this Veterans Day, we caught up with three of our own here at Gas South to learn a little more about their time in the military. Here’s more from Drew, Marques and Larry. 

Drew S.

Drew S. 
Network Engineer 
ITPMO 

 

Hi, Drew. When and why did you decide to join the service? 

I was raised in a single parent household with five siblings—four sisters and one brother. My mom encouraged us to be independent at the age of 18.  She would start asking each of us at the age of 16, "So, what are your plans after graduation?” I decided to go with the armed services in 1987 to pay for college. 

 

What branch did you serve in and for how long? 

I was in the Army—Illinois National Guard for eight years, 1987-1995. 

 

What was your job while you were in the army? 

I was (13E) Advanced Party Field Artillery, responsible for the field computers, radio, radar, charts and targeting artillery. 

 

What did you take away from your experience in the military? 

I learned to be focused on my goals, the importance of teamwork and management of the process—how to reach the goal is just as important. 

 

How has this transferred to the workplace—and in everyday life—for you? 

My daily routine is primarily the same but with more components. Each morning, there’s gratitude, exercise and thinking about my goals for the day. One other military habit, I cannot wear a hat indoors to this day. 

 

Why is Veterans Day important, and how do you celebrate?

I appreciate the sacrifice that many soldiers and families go through. It’s important for the general public to realize people are putting their lives on the line for our freedom. Every year, I reach out to fellow veterans to talk about our transition to civilian life. I also place the American flag on my porch to represent.  

Marques P. 
Service Desk Technician 
ITPMO 

 

Good to see you,  Marques. When and why did you decide to join the service? 

 I come from a family with a long history of military service. My grandfather was a career marine for 25 years. My father was career Airmen for 21 years, and I have several uncles and cousins who served in various branches. I joined in 2009. In part, I wanted to carry on what seemed to be a tradition for the men in my family by serving in the military. 

 

What branch did you serve in? 

I was active-duty Army from 2009-2017. I was deployed to Afghanistan from 2013-2014.  

 

What was your job while you were in the army? 

I was an (25B) IT specialist, more commonly known as commo guys. We set up and maintained the SIPR/NIPR communications, COMSEC keys, SAT phones and all other forms of communications and IT networks. 

 

What did you take away from your experience in the military? 

The military really taught me mind over matter, that, regardless of the circumstances, a focused and determined mind can achieve or overcome any obstacle. 

 

How has this transferred to the workplace—and in everyday life—for yo? 

 It’s given me a real mission-comes-first type of mindset. Even when tasked with something I don’t truly enjoy, I can lock in on the end goal and commit to seeing the task through to completion. Usually when a task or project is handed to me, I jump right to it and aim to finish above the level of expectation.

 

Why is Veterans Day important, and how do you celebrate? 

 Having experienced the military firsthand, I have a much deeper appreciation for Veterans Day than I did prior to my term of service. A lot of people don’t recognize the amount of sacrifice that comes with wearing the uniform. It’s not a job. It’s a lifestyle, truly—and one that calls for long days, late nights, deployments and extended periods of time away from your loved ones. I have a great amount of respect for those who have served with me, before me and those who will serve after me. I usually celebrate by attending group meetings at the VA or local AMVETs. I enjoy listening to the stories of those who served before me and their experiences in and out of the military.  

Larry P. 
Industrial Account manager 
Sales 

 

Hi, Larry. When and why did you decide to join the service?  

 I decided to join the service in 1981—my senior year of high school—along with a friend and classmate once we graduated. I had worked for my father who owned restaurants while in high school and was looking to “see the world” and learn new skills.  

  

What branch did you serve in? 

 I served in the U.S. Navy. 

  

What was your job while you were in the Navy? 

I was stationed aboard the USS Guam, LPH-9, Amphibious Assault Ship, as a Radioman for most of my time in the US Navy. I also had enjoyable ports of call in England, Norway, Germany, Spain and Italy while serving. I was awarded a COMPHIBRON Four Letter of Commendation, Humanitarian Service Medal and a Navy Unit Citation, among other service ribbons during my one term of service.  

  

What did you take away from your experience in the military? 

 My time in the service taught me some invaluable lessons. Working closely with a team, respect and adaptability in the face of adversity are just a few key traits I came away with. 

  

How has this transferred to the workplace—and in everyday life—for you? 

 The communication, problem-solving, leadership and strategic planning skills, among others, I acquired in the service help navigate relationships, problems that arise and just getting through life’s daily challenges at work and at home. The military taught me to be thoughtful, respectful, compliant and dedicated to whatever I’m doing, which transfers into daily life easily. 

  

Why is Veterans Day important, and how do you celebrate? 

 Veterans Day is the day we remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and way of life here at home. Typically, I will visit my father in the military wing of his resting place in Gainesville.  

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Today is National Make a Difference Day, a special time each year when everyone comes together to volunteer, donate, offer support and learn about the many ways each American can make a difference. 

As a company that strives to Be A Fuel For Good, making a difference is built into Gas South’s DNA. And as part of that each year, we give back 5% of our profits to organizations that support children in need. Since 2006, our giving has meant more than $12 million dollars and thousands of volunteer hours—all to make a difference for children and families in the communities we serve. Our hope is that these children have access to the tools and resources they need to lead successful lives. 

Today, we thought we’d share some information about 10 of our charitable partners—just in case you’re looking for great nonprofits to donate to or get involved with. We call these groups our Fuel For Good Allies, and each focuses its efforts on supporting childhood basic needs, education or health. You can read a brief description of each below or use the links provided to visit their sites. 

YMCA of Atlanta and North Florida   
As one of the country’s leading nonprofits, the YMCA is committed to creating strong communities and opportunities to build healthy minds, bodies and spirits.

St. Vincent de Paul   
Founded in 1833, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide organization that focuses on serving the poor, the suffering and the deprived. 

Shepherd Center  
Based in Atlanta, the Shepherd Center is a hospital that specializes in treating and researching spinal cord and brain injuries, strokes, multiple sclerosis, spinal pain and other neuromuscular conditions. 

Ser Familia   
Serving the Metro Atlanta area through five office locations, Ser Familia offers preventative family services that equip Latinos with the tools, skills and resources needed to successfully navigate crisis. 

Junior Achievement of Georgia and Florida 
Junior Achievement offers lessons in financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship, all with the hope that they can prepare youngsters for the future and help them better understand the world. 

100 Black Men  
With early roots stretching back to 1963, 100 Black Men seeks to mentor young men and women to realize their highest potential and find solutions to challenges facing African American communities. 

Gwinnett County Schools and Sol System  
As the largest public school system in Georgia, Gwinnett County Public Schools serves more than 182,000 students attending 142 different schools—elementary through 12th grade.

Covenant House   
The mission of Covenant House Georgia is to provide homeless youth with shelter, food and other support services that will help them reach their fullest potential. 

City of Refuge  
Established in Atlanta more than 26 years ago, City of Refuge provides help to individuals and families working to transition out of crisis.  

Bert’s Big Adventure  
Since 2002, Bert’s Big Adventure has worked to provide all-expenses-paid trips to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families. 

At Gas South, we’re proud to support each of these important nonprofits. And we’re thankful to each of our customers who continue to make that support possible. As we continue to grow, so too does our ability to give back. If you’re not already a customer with Georgia’s most-trusted provider, join today and be part of making that difference. 

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Has the question, “Just what is natural gas?” ever crossed your mind? If so, we need to go back millyuns and millyuns of years, as the great scientist Dr. Carl Sagan used to say.

Long ago, when plant and animal life died, it got compressed underground with incredible force and was subjected to the earth’s heat for a great duration. The materials were trapped between layers of shale, a soft rock, and this sort of earthly “digestion” gave off natural gas as a byproduct.

Natural gas is first and foremost a hydrocarbon, meaning it is made up of compounds of hydrogen and carbon. The biggest ingredient in natural gas is methane, a compound of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. There are other things in natural gas, too. Hydrocarbons ethane, propane and butane are all found in it, and all are highly flammable, making it an ideal energy source.

What are the benefits of natural gas?

Natural gas is commonly used because it’s a clean-burning energy source. It releases virtually no sulfur dioxide, less soot and less carbon dioxide. Of all fossil fuels, natural gas is the earth's cleanest traditional fuel, according to the American Gas Association, making it more ideal for everyday use.

Along with being an energy efficient fuel, there are many other benefits to using natural gas. Not only is natural gas one of the most affordable energy sources, but it is reliable as well. Natural gas is delivered through an underground pipeline system providing a continuous supply, so it’s always there when you need it. No need to worry about running out or refilling a tank. Natural gas can also be used in many areas or appliances around the home to help provide comfort and peace of mind when it comes to heating and cooking.

Natural Gas Safety

While natural gas is a relatively safe fuel option, interestingly enough, natural gas has no color and no order. “So why does a gas leak smell like that?” you may wonder. That’s because when the gas reaches a local utility, it is injected with mercaptan, an odorant. This is done for everyone’s safety. It’s very important to find the source of a gas leak and shut it off as soon as possible. So if you smell something, say something. Call your local utility right away and leave the vicinity.

Ready for great natural gas with Georgia’s most trusted provider? At Gas South, you get affordable rates and plans and top-rated service—and there’s never a deposit.

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Being Georgia’s highest-rated natural gas provider starts with having awesome Customer Care representatives here every day, ready to help customers with great service and plans that fit their needs. As we celebrate our Customer Care team this week for all they do, we also wanted to take a moment to spotlight a few who continue to help Gas South make a difference. Read more about them below! 

 

Natalia Dabney – Customer Care Representative 
Hometown: Atlanta, GA 
Time at Gas South: 1 year 
Favorite part about being in Customer Care: I love helping people. It feels so good to end a call or an interaction knowing that the customer is in a better position than they were before they contacted us. It feels really good to know that I had a hand in easing our customers’ stress or worries. 
Fun fact: I love aliens and anything related to space. The thought of there being more than what we can see excites me.

Femi London – Customer Care Representative 
Hometown: Harvey, IL 
Time at Gas South: 2 ½ years 
Favorite part about being in Customer Care: My favorite part is being able to interact with customers daily. Every customer interaction presents a unique challenge, and it allows me to grow, learn and adapt. Working with the Care Team constantly pushes me to enhance my problem-solving abilities and communication skills. I also love the support I receive from my peers. Everyone in the Gas South Family is so helpful and it makes me want to do my very best each day. 
Fun fact: I don't like condiments such as mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, hot sauce, relish, sour cream, Polynesian sauce, Miracle Whip, etc. I really could go on with a whole list of different condiments.

A man with a beard wearing a black shirt.

Thomas Wingfield – Customer Care Representative 
Hometown: Fort White, FL 
Time at Gas South: 1 year 
Favorite part about being in Customer Care: I love the problem-solving aspect of assisting customers and being part of such an awesome team. 
Fun fact: I’ve been to Cuba. 

Man with beard wearing a Miami Dolphins shirt.

Christopher Pyne – Customer Care Representative

Hometown: Gainesville, FL 
Time at Gas South: 2 years 
Favorite part about being in Customer Care: I’m proud to work with an awesome team and getting to be a small part in making a customer’s day a little better. 
Fun fact: My 7-year-old daughter is a gymnast on the USA Gymnastics level 2 team. I’m an avid cruiser—ten cruises and got married on a cruise ship. And I’m a huge Miami football fan, both Dolphins and Hurricanes.

Young woman with braided hair wearing a black shirt.

Brittany Thomas – Customer Care Representative 
Hometown: Atlanta, GA 
Time at Gas South: About 2 years 
Favorite part about being in Customer Care: We really value striving to Be A Fuel For Good to ALL customers we encounter daily. 
Fun fact: I can sing, but I’m too nervous to do it in front of people—so I do it by myself. 

 

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Each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the U.S. celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans with National Hispanic Heritage Month. As part of that celebration here at Gas South, this week’s blog spotlights Ser Familia, a Georgia nonprofit we’re pleased to continue partnering with in our effort to make a difference in the communities we serve. 

“Atlanta has a rich Hispanic and Latino culture, history and presence that Gas South is proud to celebrate,” said Carley Stephens, Gas South’s Manager of Community Affairs. “Hispanic Heritage Month is an important part of that. But we also know each day throughout the year is an opportunity to recognize and embrace the strengths of these communities—and to help make a difference when our support is needed.” 

As part of our purpose to Be A Fuel For Good each year, Gas South gives back 5% of profits to help support children in need. That’s more than $12 million since we started this effort, and that support continues to grow as Gas South expands. Our hope is to help these children go on to lead successful lives.  

Recently, we settled on 12 main charitable groups to focus on for the next year—partners we call our Fuel For Good Allies. As a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the needs of Latino children and families in the Atlanta area, Ser Familia is one of those allies. 

“We’re really excited to continue partnering with Ser Familia,” Carley said. “They’re doing great work in Atlanta to ensure Latino families get the help and support they might need if they’re facing challenges at home or in the community.” 

Founded more than two decades ago, Ser Familia works to empower Latino families through educational programs, workshops and retreats. Serving 7,828 clients last year coming from 31 counties in Georgia, the group boasts the largest geographical footprint serving Latino families in the state, with offices in Kennesaw, Norcross, Smyrna, College Park and Suwanee. 

“Gas South has been a generous ally of Ser Familia for more than a decade,” said Belisa Urbina, Ser Familia’s Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we’ve been able to positively impact thousands of Latino families with services they urgently needed, but that weren’t otherwise within their reach.” 

One example of this help, Belisa said, was a 19-year-old man and his sister who had been attacked by their father in a moment of anger. The father even fired a gun during the incident, she said, but, thankfully, no one was hurt. The two victims, along with their mother, took part in Ser Familia’s Strengthening Families program, learning valuable communication skills and ways to enrich their family dynamic and environment. The young man also completed Ser Familia’s Healthy Relationships program, which helps survivors of violence and crime, and he benefitted from the group’s mental health counseling services and continuous follow-ups from his case manager. 

“He’s a great example of how Ser Familia's coordinated holistic care makes a tremendous difference,” she said. These days, he’s better equipped emotionally to handle the stresses of life after years of growing up with violence, she said, adding that he’s even taken up the practice of mindfulness. His relationship with his mother has grown stronger, and he’s developing skills in a trade.  

“He says he feels he’s made a lot of progress. With support, he ensures that he’s learning to face his challenges and to plan for a great future.” 

About 10 percent of Georgia’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, Belisa said, and that’s one of the largest populations in the U.S. But Georgia ranks last in the nation for access to mental health care, and that’s complicated further for some Latinos and Hispanics because there are less than 100 Spanish-speaking fully licensed mental health professionals per every 1 million people in the state. 

“In this vibrant and hard-working community, there are, nonetheless, many unmet needs,” she said. “Our kids and youth suffer from anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation at rates that are higher than almost anyone else in the U.S. They shoulder responsibilities that are much bigger than any other child, such as acting as interpreters, working to help their families make ends meet (28% of our Latino children live in poverty), helping care for their siblings while parents work multiple jobs and many other duties. This puts them in an emotionally vulnerable position. Latino parents are caring and want the best for their children but face many barriers as services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for them are scarce at best.” 

And the need for services continues to grow, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. About 20% -25% of Ser Familia clients under the age 18 presented suicidal ideation before the pandemic, Belisa said. Now, that number sits at about 65%, which is one of the reasons the organization is working to expand its efforts. 

“Over the past five years, Ser Familia has experienced unprecedented growth due to the increase in family and mental health needs in the Latino community, particularly among younger people,” she said. “Our goal is to be able to serve many more individuals and families so that they have the hope and also the resources they need to overcome their crises, acquire skills to improve their family relationships or parenting skills. We want to strengthen their self-esteem and their emotional wellbeing, so that they can overcome their challenges and come away with a new, hopeful vision of life that they’ll share with others in their communities.  

We have big plans and are blessed to have partners like Gas South to support us in achieving those goals that are so vital for the present and future wellbeing of our Latino/Hispanic children and families.” 

Learn More About Ser Familia
Ser Familia
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September 23 marks the first official day of fall this year, and that means cooler weather is just around the corner. As we all break out the sweaters and scarves and have our natural gas turned back on for the season, there are also lots of things we can do around the home to help save energy. This week, we’re taking a deep dive into the topic of garages, why they can matter when it comes to cutting costs, and what you can do to save energy.

How can my garage affect my energy bill?

Homeowners often use their garages for everything other than places to simply park cars. Home gyms, workshops and jam rooms are just a few possibilities. But even so, the garage isn’t the place most of us spend the majority of time when we’re at home. And so, these spaces aren’t typically heated, cooled or insulated from outside weather conditions. And this can present several issues, especially if your garage is attached to your home. 

As an attached garage heats up or gets cold—depending on the season—much of that heat and cold can transfer into other parts of your home through adjoining walls and attic spaces, causing your energy costs to be higher. Adding or upgrading your garage insulation can help, potentially shaving 10% to 20% off your heating and cooling expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The size of your garage, its level of insulation, your area’s climate and energy costs will all be factors that affect your total savings. 

Are there other reasons to properly insulate my garage?

There could be, yes, even if your garage isn’t attached to your home. Do you keep pets in your garage for any part of the day? Do you have expensive tools, equipment, automobiles or other valuables stored there that could be damaged by extreme temperature and humidity? Would you just prefer more comfortable temperatures when spending time in your garage? Are you looking for ways to add value to your home? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’ve got a great reason to evaluate your insulation and consider making changes. 

What do I need to consider and how much will it cost? 

1. Garage Doors:

You’ll want to start by evaluating your garage doorthat’s where most of the unwanted hot or cold air is going to enter. Is yours made of insulated panels? Or is it an assemblage of thin sheets of metal or other material? If the latter, you’ve got several options for an upgrade.  

Many manufacturers produce pre-insulated garage doors of varying materials and sizes that you can install yourself or have a professional set up. On the pricier end of the cost range, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $7,000 for an insulated garage door, depending on size, materials and whether or not you’re having it professionally installed. 

On the less-expensive end, there are a number of upgrade kits on the market that can be applied to preexisting garage doors. On average, these range between $50 and $300, depending on your specific needs and wants. And most are relatively easy for the average do-it-yourselfer to install. 

Note that If you’ve decided to upgrade your garage door, you may find it worthwhile to monitor your temperatures for a few days or weeks before insulating other parts of your garage. The door alone could do the trick. If not, you’ll next want to consider your garage walls and the attic space above the ceiling.  

2. Garage Attics:

The attic space will be the easiest area to insulate if yours is lacking. You can check the state of your garage attic insulation—or lack thereof—by opening and peering in through the access panel located on most garage ceilings. 

This attic space can be insulated in several ways. Foam boards or spray can be applied to the underside of your roof decking, or insulation can also be installed between your rafters on the top-side of your ceiling boards. This latter approach to insulation usually involves fiberglass, cellulose or some form of foam spray. If you don’t see any insulation or notice areas that are missing this energy-saving material, you’ll want to address the issue. Many homeowners choose to do this themselves, as these insulating materials are readily available at home improvement stores.  

The average one-car garage in the U.S. is about 200 square feet of floor space, which directly translates to the space above your head in your garage attic. The average cost to insulate a space this size yourself in fiberglass or cellulose is between $150 and $300 (75¢ to $1.50 per square foot). 

Or you can hire a professional, which, on average, will double the expense mentioned above. If you’re a Gas South customer in Georgia, we’ve partnered with cooling and heating experts Coolray to bring you big savings on such services. With Gas South, you get 10% off garage attic insulation with Coolraylearn more about how to save with Coolray. 

3. Garage Walls:

Once your attic is buttoned up, you’ll want to address your garage walls. Although it’s best to insulate walls during the initial construction process, there are several options for insulating them after the fact—and without completely tearing the sheet rock and plaster off your walls. These options include spray foam or blow-in cellulose in most cases.

Using the same one-car garage averages mentioned above (about 400 square feet of total wall space), you can expect to pay between $300 and $800 (75¢ to $2 per square foot) using a DIY spray foam kit—double this amount if you’re wanting to have it done professionally.   

If you’re using a DIY blow-in cellulose kit, bank on spending between $100 and $600 for the material itself (50¢ to $1.50 per square foot) and then another $100 to $200 per day to rent the blowing machine. Hiring a professional could cost between $400 and $1,000—the blowing machine is already factored in.  

If you’re hiring a professional for any of these insulation upgrades, be sure to get a quote from several reputable contractors during your initial planning phase. 

We hope this blog on insulating garages was helpful. Although the upfront costs to upgrade your garage can be a little pricey, you’ll save money over time, protect your valuables, boost your home’s worth and contribute to a greener planet. Stay tuned for future Gas South blogs and social media posts that can help you save—it’s just part of how we strive to Be A Fuel For Good. 

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More and more, the world is taking advantage of the benefits of using compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel for an array of transportation needs. But CNG currently presents a few challenges when we consider its widespread use for people in their everyday personal lives. Some have been able to overcome these obstacles, of course, but these challenges are why we mostly see CNG vehicles today used in more commercial forms of transportation. In this week’s blog, let’s take a closer look at CNG and some of its pros and cons in meeting the world’s ever-growing need for alternative fuels.

What is compressed natural gas (CNG)?

Just like its name suggests, CNG is natural gas that’s been compressed to high pressure, which makes this efficient form of fuel easier to store and transport. Regarded today as a clean, efficient bridge fuel, natural gas itself is made up of methane, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and other trace elements.

Who uses compressed natural gas vehicles?

As we mentioned above (and elaborate on below) there are still a few challenges when it comes to widespread personal use of CNG vehicles, though they are in use for this purpose. Typically today, you’ll find them used by public transit agencies, delivery services, long-haul trucking companies, airports, waste management companies and by federal, state and local government agencies.

Worldwide, use of CNG vehicles is largest in parts of the Middle East and South America, though it continues to grow in parts of Europe, Central America, Asia and the U.S.

What are the advantages and drawbacks of using a compressed natural gas vehicle?

When we consider the advantages of CNG vehicles, we see they’re better for the environment than more traditional vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel—CNG vehicles emit less carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas. Readily available in the U.S., CNG is frequently cheaper than gasoline or diesel, too, and the price tends to remain more stable. CNG vehicle engines also tend to run quieter, have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance. All of this means users save time and money while helping out the planet.

So what are the drawbacks? Well, they’re certainly outnumbered by the advantages, as there are only two major challenges. For one, infrastructure isn’t quite where it needs to be yet. And a limited number of CNG fueling stations equates to reduced driving range—mostly a factor for everyday personal use. For two, there simply aren’t as many choices for consumers. In the U.S., we’re accustomed to an array of makes and models produced domestically and overseas when those vehicles run on gasoline or diesel—and they’re widely available. But CNG vehicle manufacturing isn’t yet on par with our more traditional cars and trucks.

Who’s working to promote the use and availability of compressed natural gas?

When it comes to growing the use of CNG vehicles, there are a number of groups and organizations interested in the widespread realization of CNG’s benefits. From government agencies, environmental groups and automotive companies to financial institutions, community groups and energy companies, many are committed to what CNG vehicles offer. And that includes Gas South.

Besides our commitment to investing is sustainable energies like solar—a technology we’ll have invested $60 million toward by the end of 2023—we’re also playing a part in helping to provide fueling stations with CNG, as well as offering specialized rates and consultation services to companies. Read more about Gas South’s commitment to CNG here in this helpful article: Gas South’s CNG Solution.

We hope this blog gave you some helpful insight into the topic of CNG vehicles. Stay tuned to our blogsite and social media posts for more information like this and a variety of other energy-related topics in the near future.

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With the unpredictability of weather, we often field questions about home backup generators—their benefits, how they work and how much they cost. This week, we’re shedding a little light on natural gas backup generators, an efficient and reliable power solution for your home.

Why choose a natural gas backup generator?

  1. More Convenience: Natural gas generators provide a continuous supply of power. Forget about fuel storage or manual startup; these generators kick into action automatically during a power outage. They require less maintenance compared to portable generators, offering an easy, hassle-free solution to power disruptions.
  1. More Savings: Natural gas is an efficient fuel choice, often cheaper than gasoline or diesel. This translates to significant savings in the long run, especially during extended power outages.
  1. Environmental Friendliness: Similar to our natural gas fire pits, natural gas generators burn cleaner than their gasoline counterparts. Opting for natural gas helps reduce your carbon footprint and contributes to cleaner air quality.
  1. Better Safety: Natural gas generators are safe and reliable. They’re installed professionally and designed to comply with all local building codes. There's also no need to store large amounts of fuel, reducing the risk of potential fire hazards.

How does a natural gas generator work?

Once installed by a professional, using a natural gas generator is simple. When the power goes out, the generator detects the disruption and automatically starts running. It begins supplying power to your home within seconds, ensuring you can carry on with your day unaffected.

When the main power supply is restored, the generator automatically switches off and returns to standby mode, ready for the next power interruption.

How much does a natural gas generator cost?

The cost of a natural gas generator can vary depending on size, power output and additional features. While the upfront cost may seem steep, the peace of mind, convenience and potential savings during a power outage make it a worthwhile investment.

In addition, there will be costs for professional installation. At Gas South, we recommend Canter Power Systems, a trusted provider of home backup generators. They ensure your generator is properly installed and ready to provide seamless power during an outage.

Canter Power offers special financing with zero down payments to qualified buyers and includes a 10-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. And for a limited time, you can get $500 off your home generator installation fee with Canter Power. This offer ends Sep. 30, 2023, so act fast! 

Start saving with your exclusive discount! Get your free estimate.

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Across the nation, about 500,000 young professionals each year find their way into some sort of internship program—and with good reason. Statistics show that completing internships results in an 85% greater chance of landing a job after graduation. And that’s because internships build real-world skills and experience, strong professional networks and direct knowledge about the suitability of a chosen profession.

In honor of National Intern Day, celebrated on the last Thursday of each July, we took a little time this week to sit down with a few of our own incredible interns to learn more about them, their experiences here at Gas South and what they’ve got planned for the future.


Nicholas G.

Credit Analyst Intern

Where do you attend college? What degree are you seeking, and when do you graduate?

I’m working on my bachelor’s degree in general business administration at the University of Florida. I’ll be graduating with a double minor in Entrepreneurship as well as Management and Sales in Agribusiness. I plan to graduate in December of 2024.

How did you hear about Gas South, and when did you start interning here? What made you decide to choose Gas South?

While starting as the Middle Office Intern in October of 2018, I began working at Infinite Energy. During COVID, our company was informed of the buyout by Gas South. The cultures were said to be a great fit, and I have felt that every day at Gas South for the past two years. Continuing to work with Middle Office up until this summer has been an amazing opportunity to expand my skills and network with several professionals in the field. For the summer, I have transitioned to Treasury & Credit. I’ve enjoyed both departments at Gas South and truly love the culture and mission at Gas South.

How has your experience here been so far? What do you like most about interning here? What have you learned? Have there been any challenges?

My time at Gas South has been nothing short of amazing. Out of all of the things I’ve learned working both for AFT and SRM, my favorite thing about Gas South is the people. Each day, whether at home or in the office, I get to have meaningful conversations with my coworkers. I’ve learned so much working at Gas South that pertains to professionalism as well as computer software. I’ve improved my Excel skills as well as learned about several reports using PowerBI.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

With college graduation coming soon, I’d love to have the chance to continue working in the Natural Gas industry. Working at Gas South through college has led me to find my passion in life and truly what I want to do after school. I’d love the chance to continue growing as a professional at Gas South for the next five years.

Why are opportunities to intern important for students? And why do you feel they’re also important for companies like Gas South?

Starting work in high school, I’ve always believed interning or working while going to school is extremely important. While learning in the classroom, growing within a workplace is extremely beneficial. Professionalism, workplace communication and learning the ways of the average business day are all things I’ve really enjoyed learning. I’ve learned to always listen and be aware of surroundings because every conversation I have had in the office I have taken as a learning opportunity. Managing time between work and school has been extremely beneficial as well. I believe interns are important for companies like Gas South because interns can learn and allow for time to be freed up for full time employees. Interns can also be the next generation of employees for several employers growing in their industry.

When you’re not busy here or with your studies, what do you enjoy spending time doing?

When I have free time away from school and work, I really enjoy spending time with my friends. Basketball, football, or even just watching sports at the apartment are all things we enjoy doing. Outside of my friends, I really enjoy spending time with my puppy AL. Long walks or playing ball at the park are some of my favorite things to do with my puppy.


Alex H.

Marketing Intern

Where do you attend college? What degree are you seeking, and when do you graduate?

I graduated from the University of Florida this past spring with a degree in business management. I’m going back to UF and will graduate in the spring of 2024 with a Master of Science in Marketing. Go gators!

How did you hear about Gas South, and when did you start interning here? What made you decide to choose Gas South?

I’d already heard of Gas South around Atlanta and Gainesville before I applied—and on campus from different events such as job fairs. Also, I am a big Braves fan, so I’d seen their assets at Truist park.

And then I saw their posting on LinkedIn. The position perfectly balanced my experience with event marketing while teaching me more about sponsorships and branding, so I was very excited about the role. I ultimately chose Gas South because I thought it would be the best fit based on role responsibilities and company culture. I really enjoyed learning more about the company and talking to those I interviewed with.

How has your experience here been so far? What do you like most about interning here? What have you learned? Have there been any challenges?

My experience so far has been great and very hands-on. The people I directly report to believe in me and allow me to try new things on my own. But, at the same time, they’re always there for me when I have questions or need help.

While I really enjoy working with sponsorships like the Braves and the Atlanta Open, the thing I like most about interning here are the people. Day one, the CEO introduced himself. And after that I’ve had multiple conversations with our Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, our VP of Marketing and so on. Everyone here has gone out of their way to welcome me. Gas South preaches that they have a great culture during the interview process, and it’s one of those things as an interviewee you hope to be true, and it has been—even better than they explained, I’d argue.

I’ve learned a lot about how corporate sponsorships work. With the Braves, I’ve helped to set up suites, Delta club seats, create gift bags with promotional items and more for our customers. The Atlanta Open is an upcoming tennis tournament we’re a large sponsor for. So far in preparation for it, I have been able to choose the catering for our suite and help administer invites and gift bags. And I plan on being on site for most of it to help as needed.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I’ll have graduated with my master’s degree. I hope to be living in a larger city, whether that be Atlanta, Tampa, Austin or Denver (I’m very open to new places). I also plan to be a few years into a successful career in marketing.

Why are opportunities to intern important for students? And why do you feel they’re also important for companies like Gas South?

I think interning is one of the best decisions a student can make. It helps you understand what you do and don’t want out of a career. My first internship was in HR, and I learned a lot, but it wasn’t for me. I’d argue that figuring out what isn’t for you is just as valuable as finding out what is. Internships prepare you for a future career, and it’s also always nice as a college student to save up some money over the summer or part-time during the school year.

I think having interns is extremely important for companies because interns can bring new and fresh ideas to the team. Also, interns are excited to learn. They like getting new and unique tasks, so I think companies should take advantage of this. It’s a win-win opportunity. An intern gets to learn about entering the workforce, and companies get enthusiastic idea-filled employees. Further, companies can potentially find someone they would want to hire in the future.

When you’re not busy here or with your studies, what do you enjoy spending time doing?

When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy being outside, going to Braves games, hiking and more. But really any activity that involves spending time with family and friends.


Ashlyn F.

Legal Summer Intern

Where do you attend college? What degree are you seeking, and when do you graduate?

I’m a second year student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law pursuing a Juris Doctor degree.

How did you hear about Gas South, and when did you start interning here? What made you decide to choose Gas South?

I learned about Gas South from a previous intern who was a second-year law student at UF. After hearing about her positive experiences with the company, I decided to apply for the legal intern position, and I started working toward the beginning of May of this year.

How has your experience here been so far? What do you like most about interning here? What have you learned? Have there been any challenges?

My experience at Gas South has been nothing short of amazing! The thing I’ve enjoyed the most about interning here is the exposure to various areas of law (i.e. employment law, contract law, etc.). I’ve learned there’s not always a definite answer to problems or questions, which can be challenging, but that’s where I get to learn additional creative problem-solving skills.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself being a practicing attorney in a practice area that I am still currently trying to decide.

Why are opportunities to intern important for students? And why do you feel they’re also important for companies like Gas South?

Internship opportunities are important for students because students are able to receive practical experience along with heightened professional development skills. These opportunities are important for companies like Gas South because recruiting new interns can provide a glimpse of how the company will need to evolve over time.

When you’re not busy here or with your studies, what do you enjoy spending time doing?

I am a major foodie, so I typically enjoy trying new restaurants and foods.


Jessica L.

Business Intelligence Intern

Where do you attend college? What degree are you seeking, and when do you graduate?

I'm a rising senior at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, studying Information Analysis and minoring in Sustainability, and I'm planning on graduating in May of 2024.

How did you hear about Gas South, and when did you start interning here? What made you decide to choose Gas South?

I started my internship this May, after hearing about it through Gas South’s CEO, who is a fellow Michigan wolverine! I decided to choose this program for my summer internship because I heard nothing but great things about the company and culture, and I wanted to spend time in Atlanta (my hometown) after spending the last semester abroad in Sydney, Australia.

How has your experience here been so far? What do you like most about interning here? What have you learned? Have there been any challenges?

My experience has been awesome so far, I think mostly because of my coworkers and other employees. Everyone is so friendly, welcoming and willing to help with any task or teach me about new concepts/software. I've learned lots about how data and analytics are used in Gas South's business, but also “basic” professional norms like how to schedule and run meetings, how to ask for what I need and how to network effectively and learn more about the industry. Every experience comes with challenges, but I've fortunately encountered very few. When I have gotten stuck, I've been able to reach out to coworkers on my team and troubleshoot issues and communicate with my manager, such as when my SQL code doesn’t work how I want it to or when I can’t get in touch with specific people.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself in a big city (in the U.S. or international), doing meaningful work. While that may sound vague, I'm still not sure what career I want to pursue, but I know I want to continue to Be A Fuel For Good even after this internship with Gas South. Because I have this drive to do my part in the world, I don’t want to fall into an empty, juvenile role in the long term (though I understand they can be valuable learning experiences). I want to be in a big city, like Chicago or New York, for example, because of the limitless opportunities and cultural melting pots they host. I love learning from my peers and want to explore multiple industries and roles after college, so those areas seem like great places to start. The rest will fall into place!

Why are opportunities to intern important for students? And why do you feel they’re also important for companies like Gas South?

Internships are crucial for college students for career preparation, networking opportunities and general professional experience. Intern programs provide a sneak peek into companies/industries/locations, so they're the perfect opportunity to try on a role and see if it's something to be pursued more seriously in the future.

College students may have an idea of what they want to do post-grad, but internships are paramount to discovering if their dreams can become a feasible reality. Almost everyone I know had at least one internship before they found a full-time role, and I think everyone who has the ability to participate in an intern program should.

On the flip side, intern programs are important for companies like Gas South to get a glimpse into the current world of higher education and have access to prospective employees. Companies want employees to work for them as much as employees want to have a job, so intern programs are mutually beneficial as they shed light on what college students want out of a future career, along with current trends in the job market and what majors/subject areas are more popular than others. By exposing Gas South to college students, the company can work to better align itself with what students are looking for in a full-time organization, so they can increase their ability to hire and retain quality employees who share the company’s values and pillars.

When you’re not busy here or with your studies, what do you enjoy spending time doing?

When I'm not working, I absolutely love to travel! I was fortunate enough to travel around parts of Asia and the greater Pacific area during my semester abroad, and I love to explore new places and learn about new cultures. Seeing other parts of the world was so eye opening and has stuck with me in countless ways. If you ever have the chance to visit New Zealand, I would 100% recommend it—the natural beauty there is unlike anywhere else in the world. More locally, I've been quite obsessed with playing pickleball, going on walks/hikes in the Atlanta area, exploring new restaurants and farmer's markets, as well as reading for pleasure and curating playlists for my friends. When I'm home from school, I make sure to spend time with my pets, cook and play games with my family if we're all under the same roof.

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This time of year, people are spending more time outside and in their backyards, and so we frequently hear questions about natural gas fire pits—their advantages, how they work and how much they cost. This week, we’re sharing a little about what we know when it comes to these clean-burning and efficient sources of light and warmth. 

What are some advantages of a natural gas fire pit? 

More Convenience: Natural gas fire pits operate with a continuous fuel supply, meaning you don’t need to chop or gather firewood or, in the case of a propane fire pit, worry about replacing your fuel tank when it runs dry. They can be started and stopped with the push of a button—no matches or lighters needed to get them going—and an adjustable flame control means you have more options for setting ambience and heat, which can be helpful at different times of the year. Natural gas fire pits also require less maintenance, as they don’t produce ash, debris or leave you with leftover pieces of firewood. 

More Savings: As one of the most efficient fuels around, natural gas is a great choice when you want to save as it’s typically cheaper per unit when we compare it to firewood or propane. That means more time for you to enjoy your backyard fire pit without it breaking the bank. 

Better for Mother Nature: Compared to firewood or fire briquettes, natural gas burns much cleaner. That’s why it has replaced coal and oil as the No. 1 choice for producing electricity at U.S. power plants these days. It produces less greenhouse gas emissions, soot and other pollutants and is a great choice for cutting down on your carbon footprint and keeping your backyard air quality better. 

Better for safety: Although anything that gets hot can be a potential source of danger, natural gas fire pits are widely considered safer that their wood-burning counterparts. For one, they never cast glowing embers into the air, so you can relax and not worry about setting accidental fires. And two, you’ll never have to worry about extinguishing the fire when you’re done for the night—just turn your natural gas fire pit off with the switch of a valve. 

How do you turn on a natural gas fire pit?

After you’ve had your natural gas fire pit installed by a professional, you’ll want to take some time to review any safety guidelines outlined in the manufacturer’s instructions. After that, the process is relatively simple. 

On a typical model, you’ll have a gas control valve that needs to be turned on first. Gradually turn the valve—usually counterclockwise—to release the flow of gas to your fire pit. Then ignite the fire by pressing and holding the ignition button or, depending on your model, turning the control knob to the ignition position while at the same time pressing the ignition button. Once your flame is going, adjust its height to your preference using the gas control valve. To shut it off when you’re done, simply close the gas control valve. 

How much does a natural gas fire pit cost?

The cost of the natural gas fire pit itself can vary based on size, materials used and design complexity. You can find models for as little as $200 or that range up to several thousand dollars, depending on your preferences and budget. 

Additionally, there will be some expense having your fire pit installed. This should be done by a qualified professional, as gas lines and valves will need to be fitted properly, and electrical components will need to be wired safely according to your local building codes. 

And finally, the cost to run a natural gas fire pit depends on your model’s Btu rating (how much gas it consumes in British Thermal Units), the cost of natural gas in your area and how much you use.  

This last factor, in some locations, can be compensated for with flat-rate plans. At Gas South, for example, we offer OnePrice Plan®, which makes it easy to set it and forget it knowing you’ll pay the same price for your natural gas every month. 

We hope this blog was a good introduction to natural gas fire pits. Stay tuned to our blog and social media posts in the future as we continue to offer tips and information on energy-related topics. 

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Natural gas stoves continue to be a popular choice for cooking throughout the U.S.—about 35% of homes have them, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Lots of people prefer them over electric stoves because they offer greater temperature control and heat food faster. They tend to last longer than electric stoves. They’re usually gentler on cookware. And because natural gas is such an efficient fuel, gas stoves can help cut energy costs, too.

If you’re thinking about switching to a natural gas stove, we’ve put some information together in this blog that will help answer some other questions you might have.

Are natural gas stoves safe?

Yes, natural gas stoves are safe when working properly. Routine maintenance is one of the best ways to keep your gas stove running safely. You’ll want to clean your burners, grates and ignitors on a regular basis, making sure food or grease is removed. An old toothbrush and soapy water work great for this. But don’t try to clean right after cooking—your stove needs time to cool down. If you take any of the stovetop pieces apart for cleaning, be sure to place them back in the proper position.

How hot is a gas stove flame?

Natural gas flames can burn as hot as 3,560 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to be aware of what’s near your natural gas stove while you’re cooking. Items like plastic utensils, paper wrappings, dish rags and air-tight glass containers should be kept well away from your gas stove when it’s hot. And with such high stove temperatures, remember to keep children and pets at a safe distance.

What color should my flames be on a gas stove?

Your gas flames should be blue. If they’re yellow and orange, there could be cause for concern. Sometimes, moisture in the air can change the color of your flames. This is usually due to the use of a humidifier somewhere nearby—easily fixed by turning the humidifier off. But contaminants in your burners or improper fuel-to-air mix ratio can also change the color, which can lead to a build-up of deadly carbon monoxide gas—especially dangerous because it can’t be seen or smelled. Carbon monoxide can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, so be cautious if you experience any of these symptoms while cooking. You can purchase a carbon monoxide detector for your kitchen as an extra precaution. 

What if I smell natural gas?

Natural gas leaks, though rare, can be a danger as well. You’ll want to take extra care if you detect the smell of rotten eggs associated with natural gas. Turn your burners off and leave the area until the smell is gone. Malfunctioning burners and pipe connections can be potential sources of a natural gas leak. Call a professional gas technician or someone from your utility company if you suspect a gas leak or problem with your stove’s air flow.

What to consider when buying a natural gas stove.

There are many gas stove manufacturers. Your needs will determine the best model and brand for your home. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Cooking efficiency: Models with higher British thermal unit (Btu) ratings usually equate to more efficient cooking. Typically, gas stove ranges vary between 5,000 and 12,500 Btu.
  • Size: The average gas stove measures 30 inches wide, though there are wider and narrower options available. Be sure to choose the right size for your space. You’ll also want to consider how much you’ll be using your gas range’s oven and what you’re going to be using it for. Some come with more options to arrange oven slide racks—giving you more flexibility. Others come with a double oven that’s helpful if you do lots of baking.
  • Burners: Most gas stoves have four burners, though wider ones can have more. And you’ll also want to consider the different burner output capabilities. High output burners are great for boiling water and heating food fast. Simmer burners have a lower output.
  • Other features: Consider a gas range with sealed burners to keep food and other debris out. Some have self-cleaning ovens, too, which can save you time. Look for a model with easy-to-read controls, and, if you have children in your home, consider models with safety features that prevent children from getting to the cooktop and oven.
  • Warranty: Read the fine print. Some manufacturers offer warranties for extended periods of time. Others will void your warranty if you move your gas range from one location to another.

How much do natural gas stoves cost?

Along with all the factors listed above, the sale price will probably be something you’ll want to weigh when choosing a natural gas range. On the smaller end (about 4.8 cubic feet), gas stoves generally vary between $400 and $600. Larger models (6 to 6.9 cubic feet) start out at about $700 and can sell for as much as $1,700. 
 

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Each year, Gas South gives back 5% or profits to help support children in need—that’s more than $12 million since 2006 to help youth in the communities we serve go on to lead successful lives. Part of that funding is dispersed through what we call our Impact Investment Awards, where nonprofits that focus on childhood basic needs, education or health are invited to apply for funding.

In the past, we determined winners by a vote from our dedicated employees. This year, we’re also opening up the vote to you, our valued customers.

Below, you’ll see quick summaries of this year’s six finalists—who they are and what they want funding for—along with links to their websites in case you want to know more about these great groups. Below that, you’ll see a button that takes you to a form where you can vote on up to two of your favorite nonprofits. The two with the most votes overall will receive Gas South funding this year—voting ends Friday, June 30.

Thanks for being part of Gas South, Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas provider. And thanks for helping make a difference.

  1. St. Vincent de Paul Georgia—Basic Needs Category
    St. Vincent de Paul Georgia serves individuals, families and communities throughout Georgia with an aim to create stability for those in crisis and helping to create pathways to self-sufficiency. The organization hopes to use any funding awarded to help pay for its Motel To Home Program that helps families with children transition to stable, permanent housing.

  2. Food4Kids—Basic Needs Category
    Food4Kids is located in Gainesville, Florida, where Gas South has an office, and seeks to identify chronically hungry children in the community and provide them with food and other resources on a continued basis. The organization is asking for funds to help expand the Food4Kids Backpack Program, which helps ensure school children have meals throughout each day.

  3. Nana Grants—Education Category
    Nana Grants cover 100% of the cost of childcare up until graduation for low-income mothers in college or in Georgia job training programs. Nana Grants seeks to use Gas South funding to increase the number of grants available to such women in Georgia—there are currently 164 mothers on the waiting list.

  4. Notes for Notes—Education Category
    Notes for Notes provides youth with free access to musical instruments, instruction and recording studio environments so that music can become a profoundly positive influence in their lives. This organization plans to use Gas South funding toward programming costs, purchasing a portable studio and hiring a digital education manager and producer to work with at-risk youth in Georgia

  5. Best Buddies of Georgia—Health Category
    Best Buddies of Georgia is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies hopes to use Gas South funding to expand their School Friendships programs throughout Atlanta.

  6. Sunshine on a Ranney Day—Health Category
    Sunshine on a Ranney Day renovates homes for children with special needs, specializing in wheelchair accessible bathrooms, dream bedrooms and in-home therapy rooms—at no cost to the family. The organization is seeking Gas South funds to add two Georgia families to its roster of special needs renovations this year.
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As Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas provider, people often want to know our thoughts here at Gas South on the best types of energy appliances and HVAC systems for their homes and businesses. And we’re happy to share what we know. In this week’s blog, we tackle the subject of natural gas air conditioners. 

What are natural gas air conditioners and how do they work?

The A/C units most of us are familiar with use electricity to power a compressor and refrigerant to create cool air, which is then distributed through vents and ductwork throughout our homes and businesses.  

Natural gas air conditioners, on the other hand, burn gas to create heat, which is then used to induce a cycle of water evaporation from a chemical solution called the absorbent. In short, this water vapor is collected and cycled back into the absorbent several times, creating a chilled, concentrated solution, where cold water is again extracted and circulated through a cooling coil. The cool air from the coil is then dispersed through ductwork to the various rooms and living spaces to keep you comfortable on hot summer days. Natural gas air conditioners, for the reasons we just mentioned, are also sometimes referred to as absorption chillers. 

Who uses natural gas air conditioners?

Although used in some homes and small businesses, natural gas air conditioners are typically found in large commercial and industrial settings, as they’re not always practical for the average person or business owner.  And here’s why: 

For one, natural gas air conditioners cost significantly more up front than your standard electric A/C unit—several thousand dollars more. They’re larger and more complex, which could, depending on your location and current set up, present problems in having one installed or retrofitted to accommodate your current location. They also require specialized maintenance and expertise, which could cost you more and make it harder to find help that specializes in their operation. And they’re designed to be most efficient when working at a full and constant energy load, which isn’t always suitable for homes and small businesses that vary use at different times.  

In most cases, electric A/C units are the better choice for residential and small business settings. Thankfully, they’ve come a long way in recent years in terms of efficiency. 

What are the advantages of natural gas air conditioners?

As we mentioned above, natural gas air conditioners are generally better suited for large commercial and industrial uses. And that’s because they offer several advantages over electric A/C systems—when it’s practical to use them, of course. 

They’re typically more efficient, which means they cost less to operate in terms of energy use and frequency of maintenance. This increased efficiency means a smaller carbon footprint and less environmental impact too. They tend to run quieter, as well, and though they do require small amounts of electricity to run components like fans and pumps, natural gas air conditioners can be a great option in remote areas where there’s a limited supply of electricity. 

What should I consider if I’m set on getting a natural gas air conditioner?

Availability, cost, compatibility, installation and maintenance are all important factors to weigh when you’re thinking about getting a natural gas air conditioner. If you don’t have natural gas already at your location, start with your utility company to see if it’s even an option—check out our tips on how to get natural gas service.  

If you’re already using natural gas or know it’s possible to have service at your address, start by contacting a local HVAC professional, like our partners at Coolray.  They can help walk you through your options and ensure safe and proper installation. 

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Now that 2023 is behind us, we wanted to take a few moments in this week’s blog to do a quick recap of some of the great happenings here at Gas South in the last year.

Some of the more exciting news is that we were able to give back more than $4.5 million in profits to help support children in need in 2023—our most charitable year striving to Be A Fuel For Good yet! On top of that, our employees volunteered more than 1,200 hours. All of that is time and money that went to groups in the communities we serve that focus on childhood education, basic need and health—so children who need support can go on to lead successful lives.

We also made a shift last year to concentrate these philanthropic efforts on 10 Fuel For Good Allies. These are non-profit partners that do exceptional work to help children in need, and we’re excited to continue working with them in the year ahead.

Sustainability matters to us too, and that’s why, for the last several years, we’ve made ongoing investments to solar projects. By the end of 2024, that investment is predicted to total $63 million. Our plan is to continue seeking such opportunities because, in addition to helping support children in need, we know protecting the planet is one of the best ways to make a difference—and the difference is good.

Beyond helping the communities we serve, we’re also committed to supporting the needs of our employees. And part of how we do that is through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), designed to cater to the personal and professional development of the great folks that help make Gas South an exceptional place to work. We’re always looking to build on this, and so we also created a new ERG last year called the Young Professionals Group, which was brought forth to help support employees 35 or younger (though anyone can be involved) through networking opportunities and mentorships. This latest group brings our total to five, and we’re excited to add even more to the roster in 2024.

On the customer front, we continued to make progress as well, and we’re happy to report our year-end total for 2023 came to more than 470,000 customers. That growth is important for our mission to Be A Fuel For Good, as it’s critical to the donation amounts we’re able to give back each year—and we’re thankful to each customer for being part of making that difference.

This expansion also means we need more space to do all this good. And so earlier in the year, we opened a new, bigger office at our Gainesville, Florida, location that accommodates about 150 employees based there. This new space is almost double that of our previous Gainesville office and was designed with innovation and collaboration in mind. Later in 2024, we’re also planning to relocate our Atlanta headquarters to The Battery, which promises more space and closer proximity to the Atlanta Braves, who we’ve been proud to be the official natural gas sponsor of for years.

Thanks for reading about some of our 2023 highlights. Whether it’s serving you with great natural gas rates and top-rated service or making a difference for employees and our communities, we’re looking forward to 2024.

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At Gas South, we’re always thankful for the customers we have—our Google rating as Georgia’s highest-rated provider is proof to that claim. But we get especially excited each year about today, Customer Appreciation Day. This year, we wanted to show our appreciation in a few different ways. 

First, we’ve got a great video you’ll want to watch featuring messages of thanks from our employees and President and CEO, Kevin Greiner—watch our short, fun video.

We thought we’d show you some of the faces that make Gas South great. And when you watch that video, you’ll see from our own team how important you are to us as a customer. Whether it’s great rates on natural gas, top-rated customer care, easy and time-saving online account services or being part of our commitment to give back to the community, we’re proud to deliver the excellence you deserve. It’s why more people every day are choosing to rely on Gas South, Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas provider. 

Second, if you’re already a Gas South customer in Georgia, check your inbox today (May 19, 2023) for our Customer Appreciation Day email for a chance to win Braves tickets and a free baseball signed by Braves first baseman Matt Olson. If you’re not a customer but want to be, start by checking out our great rates and plans—you’ve got easy options to fit your needs. Plus, as a warm welcome to Gas South, you’ll get a $50 bill credit when you join

Third, we weren’t sure May 19 was long enough to show our appreciation, so we’re celebrating customers for an entire month in June. Each week as part of Gas South’s Customer Appreciation Month, we’ll be sending out sweepstakes emails to Georgia customers for chances to win great prizes—all winners will be chosen at random. 

The month-long celebration will lead up to a chance to win a year’s worth of free natural gas as a grand prize, which we’ve also opened to anyone in Georgia who lives in one of our service areas. Yes, that’s right. Even if you’re not currently a customer, you could be soon—and with free gas for a year—as long as you keep an eye out on Gas South’s Facebook page when we post the sweepstakes entry next month. Current customers, you’ll get a special entry through email. 

Again, thanks to each of you who’ve chosen to be part of Gas South, where we strive each day to Be A Fuel For Good. Happy Customer Appreciation Day 2023! 

As a company that’s proud of our diversity, Gas South is pleased to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage this month. In honor of the occasion, we sat down this week with our own Catherine B. to learn more about her and her Asian ancestry. 

Hi, Catherine. Can you first tell us a little about your job here? What are your primary responsibilities as a Strategic Account Manager II. When did you start? 
I started at Gas South in July 2020. My role involves working with our large industrial customers’ day-to-day needs. I’m heavily involved in their contracting, billing and gas purchasing needs on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.   

Were you always involved in this field? Tell us a little about your previous work and education. 
I got a degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M, so I always knew I wanted to be involved in energy. Out of college, I worked in the oil field for Halliburton Energy Services (see picture below). That allowed me to get hands-on experience with oil rigs and where natural gas is produced at the source. In 2020, I made my way from Texas to Atlanta for the job with Gas South. 

 

Women wearing a red hat and jacket standing in front of heavy machinery.

How did you hear about Gas South? And have you enjoyed working here?  
I learned about Gas South from my college professor. She received the job posting from a previous employee, and I’m so thankful for the connection. I’m not sure I would have learned about the natural gas marketing world without it. Gas South has been a wonderful job and I really enjoy my role. There is so much opportunity to learn, and everyone here is so welcoming and excited to share knowledge.  

What about the emphasis we put on celebrating diversity? Is that important to you as a young person with Asian ancestry? 
I’m thankful Gas South puts so much emphasis on celebrating diversity. In my last job, there were only two women out of 400 employees, and there wasn’t one Asian person and very little diversity in the department. Gas South not only encourages diversity but also celebrates it! I find diversity and different perspectives so important because it makes our workforce stronger. 

Beyond Gas South’s recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage this month, why is it important that, as a nation, we come together to celebrate diverse heritages? 
Learning other’s cultures is so important. There are so many different traditions, foods, music and practices that we can all learn from and incorporate into our lives.  

Can you tell us a little more about your Asian ancestry and about your family? 
I’m half Vietnamese on my mother’s side. They came over shortly after the Vietnam War, and I’m very grateful for all that my family sacrificed to come to the United States (See Catherine’s family in the picture below). They left Vietnam on a boat and went to Singapore and from there flew to the US. They came here speaking no English and having hardly any belongings. They worked hard, saving everything they could and eventually owning multiple businesses. I’m so thankful for their bravery, tenacity and work ethic. Without it, there’s no way I would be where I am today. 

Twelve people in front of a lake with mountains in the background.

How has your heritage shaped your experience, and what are some of the favorite cultural aspects of your heritage?  

I love all Asian food—it’s my go-to request when we go out to eat. There are so many types of Asian food I would recommend people try: Pho, sushi, Korean barbeque, dim sum, hot pot, Peking duck, tom yum soup, Vietnamese coffee, and so many others just to name a few. Growing up, I felt like certain foods I ate were weird and not cool, but I’m thankful it’s becoming more widely accepted and celebrated with time.

Asian media is becoming more popular overtime as well. K-pop and anime, for example, and one of my favorite movies that released recently is Crazy Rich Asians, featuring an all-Asian cast. Ali Wong, Ken Jeong, and Jo Koy are some great Asian comedians that have specials on Netflix.

I love that so many cultural aspects are becoming more mainstream and getting more recognition.

What do you do when you’re not here helping to make Gas South a great place to work? 
I love reading, hiking and cooking. I also love spending time with friends and family.  

  

Gas South is proud to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May. Stay tuned as we highlight other heritages in the weeks and months that follow. 

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At Gas South, we strive to Be A Fuel For Good. And that means more than great natural gas rates and plans, top-rated customer care and easy online services. It means we also care about the communities we serve, giving back 5% of profits each year to help support children in need and offering paid volunteer time for each of our employees to help in these efforts. 

Building lasting partnerships means more than just writing a check. And that’s why we look forward to rolling up our sleeves each month and pitching in throughout our Georgia and Florida service areas. Whether we’re helping beautify an Atlanta school or park, collecting and organizing items at a shelter or food bank in Florida or serving as non-profit board members, we’re committed to building stronger communities. Take a look at a few of our quick give-back facts below—or click the links for each year to see a full report: 

2022 (Annual Impact Report)

  • Over $3.2 million donated
  • 600 hours volunteered
  • Donated and packed over 100 family meal kits for Southwest Advocacy Group in Gainesville
  • Hosted career fairs at HBCUs: Fort Valley State University and Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University
  • Sponsored HBCU’s "Battle of the Bands Fan Fest" with a $30,000 donation to HBCU’s Culture Legacy Foundation

2021 (Annual Impact Report

  • Over $1.5 million doated
  • 391 hours volunteered
  • Literacy Week support for over 24,000 students in 41 schools
  • STEM education via Science Olympiads for over 7,000 students
  • Education for over 100 students of the YMCA Gas South STEAM Lab

2020 (Annual Impact Report)

  • Over $1.2 million donated
  • 391 hours volunteered
  • Conducted a virtual book club for 100 children with terminal illness
  • Assembled over 450 food kits for children and families facing food insecurity
  • Connected authors with students in 30 schools through Virtual Learning Week

2019 (Annual Impact Report

  • Over $900,000 donated
  • 1,100 hours volunteered 
  • Dental care for 800 elementary school students
  • Literacy Week support for over 24,000 students in 41 schools
  • STEM education via Science Olympiads for over 7,000 students
employees serving in the community

At Gas South, we’re proud to support the personal and professional growth and development of our employees. And we know providing opportunities to serve in the very communities they live in is just one more way to do that. We’re proud our employees, leadership and partners for working every day to make a real difference—and the difference is good. 

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Each year on April 22, the world celebrates Earth Day as a time to pay homage to the natural beauty and importance of our planet.  

And with good reason.  

From the toxins in our air and water to the widespread loss and destruction of natural resources and habitat, there are a number of pressing concerns affecting the health of Mother Nature—and, ultimately, the future of our own species. And that’s why so many are working to promote change.  

Just look at the popularity of Earth Day itself. What started in 1970 as a relatively small environmental effort on college campuses in the U.S. has today become one of the most-celebrated yearly occasions in almost 200 countries. Every day, the realization that each of us can make a difference in some way continues to grow. 

At Gas South, we feel a responsibility as an energy company to do our part. Natural gas continues to play an important role as a clean, efficient and affordable energy source for much of the world—and one that serves as a sensible bridge fuel to cleaner energy. But as a company that strives to Be A Fuel For Good, we’re taking steps beyond just providing great natural gas rates and services to the average consumer. 

In addition to the 5% of profits we give back to help support children in need each year—money that helps with basic needs, education and health so kids can go on to lead successful lives—we’re investing in a sustainable future. 

In early 2021, Gas South had already given $23 million to support sustainability through past solar projects. And then we began a new push, launching an exciting business initiative that empowered us to commit to investing a total of $60 million in solar projects by the end of 2023. 

Happy Earth Day from all of us here at Gas South, Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas company and proud supporter of the communities we serve and the planet we all call home. 

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For most of us, water heaters aren’t something we want to think about on a regular basis. We just know we want to take warm showers on cold days in the dead of winter. But just like anything mechanical, water heaters are apt to break down or stop working from time to time. Sometimes that means purchasing a new unit or paying a hefty price for repairs. Other times, it’s as simple as relighting a pilot light or turning up the temperature on the water heater. This week, we’ll look at some of the most common reasons water heaters cease to function and what you can do to help prolong their lifespan. 

How to Relight a Gas Water Heater

If you’ve got a natural gas water heater and your water has suddenly gone cold, the first scenario to consider is that your pilot light has gone out. In most cases, this is a relatively easy fix. 

Typically, these water heaters will have a tiny window under an easy-to-remove access panel on the front of the tank. If there’s no visible flame, your pilot light has gone out and you’ll need to relight it. Here’s how to check and then relight your natural gas pilot light: 

  1. Turn off the gas supply by rotating your supply line valve handle 90 degrees (a quarter turn) left or right. This valve handle, located on the gas supply line that runs to your tank, is relatively small and is often colored red. The off position should be perpendicular to the gas line. 
  2. Rotate your temperature control dial clockwise until it stops—this is the lowest heat setting and the correct position for relighting your natural gas pilot light if it’s gone out.  
  3. Turn your gas control knob located on the control box of the tank to the off position—the knob should be already clearly labeled with Off, Pilot and On. Then wait a few minutes to make sure no gas has leaked into the area. If you smell the distinct odor of rotten eggs at any time, you may have a leak, and it’s important to get everyone out of the home immediately—see what to do in case of a natural gas leak
  4. Once you’re confident there are no leaks or residual gases floating around, remove the metal access panel located on the front of your tank. You should see a tiny window once you do, which you can then look through to determine whether your pilot light has gone out. If there’s no flame, you’ll have to light it back up. 
  5. To relight your gas water heater, turn your gas supply valve handle back to the open position—the reverse of step 1. 
  6. Turn your gas control knob to the Pilot position and push down your ignitor button—this button should be located close to the control knob and may be colored red or green, depending on your specific model. Hold the button down for about 1 minute. Then turn the gas control knob to the On position. 
  7. Set your temperature control valve to your desired heat setting (see more about this below). 
  8. Check to see that you now have a flame. If so, you’re good to go, and you can replace the tank’s access panel. 

How To Turn Up the Temperature on a Hot Water Heater

No matter which type of water heater you own, you may find you prefer to raise (or lower) the water temperature at different times of the year, and most are relatively easy to adjust. Older water heaters, in particular, may need to be set higher to suit your preferences.  

It’s important to note that most experts recommend a setting between 120 degrees and 140 degrees, with 120 degrees being optimal in most cases. At this 120-degree setting, you’ll be able to save energy and still safely heat your water enough to kill certain bacteria that’s sometimes found in water tanks. If you prefer higher temperatures, care should be taken to prevent scalding, especially if you have young children or elderly people in your home. If your dial doesn’t have specific temperatures listed, be sure to monitor the temperature coming out of the faucet over the course of a day or so. 

Setting Natural Gas Water Heaters: With a natural gas water heater, most units will have a temperature control meter that makes adjustment easy. Simply locate the dial, usually on a control box on your water heater tank, and set it accordingly. 

Setting Electric Water Heaters: With an electric water heater, the process is a little more involved. You’ll want to make sure you turn the power off first, which you can do at your home’s breaker box—look for a circuit breaker labeled “water heater.”  

Next, depending on your model, you’ll either need to remove one or two adjustment panels located on the front of your water tank (held on with screws). Electric water heaters sometimes have two adjustment dials—one for the bottom portion of your tank and one for the upper portion—and these could be located together under one panel or separately under two. With the panels (and any small pieces of insulation) removed, simply use a flat-head screwdriver to slightly rotate your temperature control dials according to your temperature preferences. When you’re done, replace the panels and switch your hot water heater circuit breaker back on. 

Water Heater Maintenance

Whether you own a tankless water heater, a standard natural gas version, an electric unit or some type of hybrid or solar model, all need some form of regular maintenance to keep them running as long as possible—most will last from 8 to 12 years with upkeep. Here are a few maintenance issues to consider: 

  • Flushing Your Tank: All models should be flushed at least every few years to prevent mineral scale buildup and to prevent corrosion—experts say once a year is best. You can hire an HVAC professional to perform this or try giving it a go yourself. Learn more about flushing hot water heaters
  • Testing Your T&P Valve: Water heaters include a valve that accounts for excessive temperatures and pressure to help prevent your tank from exploding. Experts recommend testing this valve yearly. Learn more about testing and replacing your T&P valve
  • Testing Your Anode Rod: Most hot water tanks have an anode rod that’s used to help preserve the life of your tank—the exception being tankless water heaters. These metal devices help collect corrosive particles and need to be replaced from time to time—about every five years on average. Discolored or funny smelling water could be a sign that yours needs to be replaced. Learn more about testing and replacing anode rods.

We hope this blog has helped answer some of your water heater questions. Stay tuned for future blogs on other helpful energy-related topics from Gas South, Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas provider. 

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More than 100 years ago, it was common for American city streets, homes and skylines to glow at night with the soft amber light of gas-fueled lanterns—coal gas, in most cases. That changed in the early 1900s with the ever-increasing popularity of electricity, which by then had become more affordable and easier to access. These days, thanks in part to the inventiveness of Thomas Edison, we mostly light our nights with electric current.  

But it’s still hard to beat the charm and ambience—and perhaps nostalgia for a bygone era—of a flickering gas flame. This week, we’ll take a look at natural gas lanterns and how they help that happen. 

How Natural Gas Lanterns Work

Natural gas lanterns produce light using two basic methods. One simply relies on the visibility of a flame through glass panels to create light. The other employs the use of a mantle, which is a type of chemical mesh that burns and glows when heated by a flame, producing a brighter light than a flame alone. Both rely on a supply of natural gas delivered through pipes and tubing, a burner, regulators and valves to control the flow of gas, and a housing made from metal and glass panels to protect the burner from wind and the elements. 

How do you light a gas lantern? It depends on the type you have. Some require you to switch the gas on and then manually light the burner. This is usually as simple as opening a hinged glass panel, turning the valve on slightly and then lighting the burner tip with a flame—barbecue grill lighters work great for this. The valve can also be used to adjust the height of the flame and to turn it off later. Other models have electronic ignitors that make lighting your lantern as easy as pushing a button. And there are even some that control the process automatically, turning the flame on and off according to a programmed schedule of your choosing. 

Where Natural Gas Lanterns Are Used

Typically, homeowners and businesses use natural gas lamps outdoors, installing gas lanterns on front porches, at gates and entryways, along driveways or on posts in courtyards. They’re used to create a soft, warm-lighted accent, rather than light needed for security or maintenance purposes—you won’t find natural gas flames scaring off any would-be burglars. 

Installing Natural Gas Lanterns

If you’ve already got natural gas at your home, you’ll need to have a line run from your existing pipes to your natural gas lantern, which should be securely anchored on a wall, structure or post. You’ll want to make sure you have a qualified technician help with mounting your lantern and hooking up gas lines—valves, fittings and other hardware need to be installed correctly to prevents leaks. 

If you don’t already have natural gas, check with your utility company to make sure it’s an option at your location first. It’s likely you’ll need a line that taps into a nearby gas pipe—assuming others have it already in your area—and a meter will need to be installed. For more on this, check out our helpful blog: How Do I Get Natural Gas? 

Are natural gas lanterns dangerous? They can be if parts become worn or damaged. But so can electric lights. Today’s natural gas lanterns are designed to limit the amount of gas that can come out at one time and also include safety mechanisms to block the flow of gas should your flame go out on its own. But it’s good to have your lanterns (and any other gas appliances) inspected on occasion by a qualified technician—once a year is best to make sure everything is in proper working order. 

Additionally, if any new lines are installed underground, you’ll want to be aware of their locations before ever doing any nearby digging—this is good to know for any and all utility lines you might have in your yard. Call your utility company to come mark these locations if you’re unsure.  

If you suspect a leak at any time (usually accompanied by the smell of rotten eggs), get yourself and loved ones out of the area immediately and call your utility company or 911. 

Cost To Run a Natural Gas Lantern

When determining cost of a natural gas lantern, there are three areas to consider: 1. The price of the lantern itself; 2.) the cost of installation; and 3.) the amount of gas you’ll use every month. 

  1. There are many models available on today’s market. On the lower end of the spectrum, the lamps run for as little as $300, though you can also purchase models that cost $1,500 or more, depending on your needs and tastes. 
  2. Installation costs can vary greatly. Perhaps you just need a small amount of line run through an outside wall to your new installed lantern. That’s going to be a lot less expensive than having a line installed to a set of lanterns along the length of a driveway. Materials, labor and location are all factors that could cost several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Once you know what you want—and where—local lighting contractors should be able to provide you with an estimate. Be sure to shop around and compare quotes—a good place to start is with this Gas Line Installation Quotes website. 
  3. Natural gas usage is another factor that can affect your costs. On average in the U.S., experts say the cost to run a natural gas lantern is about $10 - $12 each month per lantern. This can vary, of course. Will you be running your lanterns 24/7? Or will you just use them on special occasions? With more usage, your monthly gas bill on most natural gas plans is going to rise, and that means a bigger bill. But there are exceptions to this. Gas South’s OnePrice Plan®, for example, is a simple alternative to fluctuating gas bills—you just pay the same flat amount each month, regardless of usage. 

We hope this information was helpful. Stay tuned to our blog and social media in the future for more on natural gas and other energy-related topics that can save you time and money—it’s just part of how we strive to make a difference.  

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Reading a gas meter isn’t what you’d call easy, so we’ve broken it down into basic steps to help you make sense of it all.

There are two types of meters—a rolling digit meter and a dial meter.

Reading a digital gas meter is a no-brainer because you read it from left to right just like you’d read the odometer on a car.

Reading a dial gas meter, on the other hand, can be more challenging since there are typically four or five dials running both clockwise and counterclockwise.

To Read a Gas Meter with Dials, Follow These Steps:

  1. Read only the dials with numbers. Read them from left to right. Record the number each hand points to. When the hand is between numbers, use the smaller number.
  2. Keep this reading and read your meter one month later. The difference between the two readings is the amount of energy you used during the month.
  3. Remember, your numbers may differ slightly from the numbers on your bill unless you read your meter at the exact same time as your meter reader.

How to Tell if Your Gas Meter is Accurate

Locate your gas meter at your home or business and compare the reading to the one found on your gas meter bill under "How We Calculated Your Gas Charges: Ending Read". The reading on your meter should be equal to or higher than the one recorded on your bill. 

Keep in mind, Atlanta Gas Light is responsible for reading your meter each month—they own and maintain gas pipelines and your meter. They’ve gotten reading meters down to a science, but that doesn’t mean mistakes can’t happen. If you find your meter is reading lower or incorrect, please call us at 877-472-4932.

As we near the end of Women’s History Month, we wanted to use our blog this week to once again highlight a few of the awesome Gas South women who were spotlighted earlier in the month on our social media platforms. Each is also part of the Customer Care team here that has helped make Gas South the highest-rated natural gas provider in Georgia. And we’re proud to have them. 

Nicole M.

Based in Gainesville, Florida, Nicole started working in the natural gas industry in 2015 when she joined Infinite Energy. She later joined Gas South in 2021 when we acquired Infinite Energy. Nicole says her co-workers and their genuine camaraderie are her favorite part about working on the Customer Care team. Nicole shares that she has also reached an exciting milestone: She’s a Mimi! Her grandson Liam recently turned 1.

Anna D.

Anna lives in Marietta, Georgia, and has worked with Gas South for almost five years. Anna says she loves helping people and that Gas South makes it easy to do just that! She values making a genuine impact during every Customer Care call. In Anna’s free time, she likes to learn different languages. She’s fluent in Spanish and English and is currently learning Arabic, Romanian and Purepecha.

Laquita M.

Laquita is from Augusta, Georgia, and has worked at Gas South for a little over a year. Laquita enjoys the engagement they get from working with others on the Customer Care team. When they’re not working to support Gas South customers, Laquita loves to collect $2 bills, which they have been collecting for many years. 

Samantha N.

Samantha is from Canton, Georgia, and has worked with Gas South for two years. Her favorite part about the Customer Care team is how everyone bends over backward to help each other. She genuinely enjoys the people, the environment and culture of Gas South. Samantha’s fun fact about herself goes back to her glory days when she was a college soccer player, helping her team win a national championship when she was only 19 years old.

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March 20 ushers in the first official day of spring, and that means outside temperatures will be on the rise again soon. To help you save energy this season, we thought we’d use this week’s blog to talk about the best thermostat settings for spring, along with a few other related ideas.  

Ideal Spring Thermostat Temperature

When it comes to ideal temperatures for indoor living, preferences can depend on a number of factors, including age, sex and health. Experts generally agree that the perfect range for humans is somewhere between 65 degrees and 72 degrees. And research shows most people would agree, but that range doesn’t really account for energy savings. 

In milder climates like Georgia, the best thermostat setting for spring is at 78 degrees when you want to cut costs while still staying relatively comfortable. If that’s still a little too warm for you, you’re likely going to have to try adjusting your thermostat at different times to offset higher-use periods of the day—if you want to save. 

Save Money by Adjusting Your Thermostat

For a manual thermostat adjusted by hand—and in a home where no one is there during the day to protest—try bumping the temperature up a few degrees before you head out in the morning (78 degrees or warmer). You’ll be able to knock up to 10% off your cooling expenses for every 7-10 degrees warmer you can make it per eight-hour periods each day.  

For even more savings, turn your air conditioner off completely when no one is home for eight hours or more. The old idea that your cooling system will have to work harder when you turn it back on later in the day isn’t entirely accurate. Your A/C will run at the same speed no matter when it’s on, though it may run longer to later cool a house that’s been cooking in the hot sun all day. But you’ll still end up saving when you switch it off, as long as that’s an option. You might have pets or delicate items to consider, after all, and many don’t respond well to the high temperatures and humidity levels your cooling system helps control. But even if that’s the case at your home, you can still raise the temperature a little when you plan to be out. 

If you’re looking to take the hassle out of remembering to adjust your temperatures manually during the day and evening, consider purchasing a programmable thermostat. There are lots of models available on the market, and most are easy to install yourself. We like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat—it learns your preferred settings and makes automatic adjustments to help you save. Learn more about this energy-saving thermostat. Or see a rating of some of the more popular brands on the market such as the 10 Best Smart Thermostats

We hope this blog helps you save this spring. Stay tuned to future posts as we periodically blog on other ways you can cut your energy costs. 

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When you’re in the business of natural gas, you get a lot of questions about using this energy-efficient and plentiful fuel around the home. And they’re almost always about the many appliances on the market that run on this clean-burning fuel. This week, we wanted to dive into an appliance-related question we’ve been hearing more of lately: Is a gas or electric dryer better? 

“Better” depends on your goals and what you’ve got to work with. If your home isn’t already set up for natural gas—or if you don’t have plans to make this happen—an electric dryer is the way to go. But if you’re already using natural gas or thinking of converting, a gas-heated dryer is the better choice when you want to cut energy costs and go green. Let’s consider that in more detail below. 

Natural Gas Dryer Vs. Electric Dryer 

As with most gas appliances, there are several advantages to choosing a natural gas dryer. For one, natural gas dryers use about half as much energy, which cuts down on your monthly energy bills and helps reduce your carbon footprint.  

In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans as a whole would save more than $1.5 billion each year on energy costs if everyone used natural gas dryers. And that would also cut the harmful emissions pumped into our atmosphere by the equivalent of about 2 million vehicles. 

Additionally, natural gas dryers heat up and dry your clothes faster than electric models, which can save you time and cut down on laundry wear and tear. 

But what are the cons, you ask? Well, as we mentioned above, you’ll need to have a qualified professional install a gas line to your laundry room when you switch to a gas dryer if your home or laundry space isn’t already equipped. And gas-heated dryers can cost a little more up front, though you’ll eventually offset those costs with your energy savings. On average, mid-range gas dryers run between $500 and $800, while electric dryers typically cost between $400 and $600, all depending on the brand and model you prefer. 

If you’re wanting to shop for an efficient, Energy-Star-backed brand, check out some of the models listed with energystar.gov. This site lets you filter by price, dryer type and efficiency rating: Energy Star Dryers.  

How does a natural gas dryer work? 

With a gas-heated dryer, natural gas is burned to heat a coil or element that creates warm air that’s circulated throughout the dryer’s tumbler, drying your clothes in record time. Much like a natural gas stove with a flame, the heat is immediate. The hot air and exhaust are then vented out of your home, similar to how many electric dryers are vented. 

Gas-heated dryers also use a relatively small amount of electricity to power their fans and tumblers. The gas is just used as a heat source, so you’ll still need to have access to an electrical outlet, though that probably won’t be an issue when you consider that washing machines are also plugged into an outlet. And like most washing machines, natural gas dryers only make use of a standard 110-volt outlet. This differs from most electric dryers, which run on 220 volts. 

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The Gas South tagline, Be A Fuel For Good, means more than just offering great rates and Georgia’s highest-rated service for all customers. It means we also want to do our part to strengthen the communities we serve, build a more sustainable world and continue to make Gas South a great place to work for each employee. 

As many of our customers know, we give 5% of profits each year to help support children in need. In 2022, that came to more than $3.2 million to help ensure these children go on to lead successful lives—more than double what we were able to give the year before.  

As Gas South continues to grow, so too does our ability and commitment to make a difference. In 2023, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be donating more than $4 million to this effort. 

We care about the future of our planet, too. That’s why we began investing in sustainable energy several years ago, committing to invest $60 million to solar projects by the end of 2023—another figure that grew by an extra $10 million at the start of 2023. 

And then there’s our employees, all the hardworking and committed folks we recognize as our most valuable assets. From our Customer Care representatives who’ve helped us become Georgia’s highest-rated natural gas company to each employee who takes the time to volunteer with our partners or donate their own money to charity, we’re proud of the people who make this a great place to work. And so we do everything we can to support them and provide opportunities to learn and grow, professionally and in their personal lives. 

As we look forward to another great year, we wanted to take a moment to share our 2022 Annual Impact Report. We create this in the first quarter of each new year to help highlight all the ways we were able to Be A Fuel For Good in the previous year. And we reached new heights in 2022, so we’re excited for you to read through it! 

We’re thankful to all our partners and vendors who continue to help make Gas South a success. And last but not least, we’re especially thankful to each of our customers, all of whom are part of making a difference. Here’s to another great year ahead! 

Stay tuned to our blog and social media in the months that follow as we continue to highlight the ways we’re working to make a difference. 

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Orange banner with white text overlay that says "Celebrating Black History Month".

To kick off our celebration of Black History Month, we wanted to take some time this week to highlight our new employee resource group BEST, which stands for Black Employee Support Team. It was officially launched last September and is one of several Gas South groups voluntarily led by employees to offer support and help foster diversity and inclusion. 

BEST serves as a safe space for those who identify as African American or who are connected through heritage to the African Diaspora. And it’s a space for their allies. Participation as a member is open to any employee, regardless of background. The group’s aim is to build relationships and elevate the employee experience through dialogue, problem solving and support. And we’re all proud to have such a wonderful new resource for employees. 

Earlier this week, we sat down with a few of the BEST leaders to get their perspective. Here’s what they had to say: 

What made all of you want to get involved with BEST, and why is it important to have a resource group like this? 

SHEIRRA G.: 
To be honest, I wasn’t aware Gas South was creating a resource group for people of color and their allies. I was honored and humbled when I was asked to be a part of this initiative. I knew being a part of this group would allow me to support, connect and make the greatest impact on those involved, as well as within our communities. I believe it’s essential to create these types of groups within an organization to ensure employees feel heard, are valued and have a safe space to share their thoughts, concerns, challenges and/or successes. 

STEPHON W.: 
I got involved with BEST because it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone. Although I didn’t know much about ERGs (Employee Resource Groups), I was excited to try something new and learn more. I also loved the idea of being part of the “ground zero crew” who would help launch the very first black employee resource group here at Gas South. My final reason for getting involved was to help bring people together so we can have the conversations that will help us all grow together. It’s important for Gas South to have resource groups like BEST because they provide a safe place for employees, especially those who may feel like they’re different or not quite understood by everyone they encounter. Personally, I believe ERGs help people feel seen when they may feel overlooked.   

VELVET W.: 
I took a few days to think about it before making the decision. It’s such an important initiative, and I wanted to ensure I’d be able to bring the level of care, thought and commitment to the role our members deserve. After giving it some thought, I realized this was the exact type of initiative I wanted to be part of bringing to pass at Gas South. Employee Resource Groups are extremely important initiatives within any organization. It’s one of the first signs of a company taking actionable steps to show how important the employee base is to that organization. Employee Resource Groups foster diversity and create a culture of inclusivity. They also bring a sense of belonging and acceptance to their membership and provide a safe space for employees who share commonalities. An ERG tends to have real life impact on any work environment. They can help source and develop potential leaders while also addressing challenges that often plague organizations when they don’t have the right resources in place. I’m excited that our leadership team at Gas South has decided that this is the right path to take for our employee base. I am sure we’ll see the benefits of this decision soon.   

RONY S.: 
It was actually both a surprise and an honor when Stephon approached me about BEST. I was very excited to see Gas South was taking it to the next level, and that the leadership team was making an intentional effort to make sure Gas South is an inclusive place to work.  With my experience as a former member of our Great Place to Work team, I thought I had a lot to contribute to BEST. ERGs are a good thing to have at Gas South or any company, as they provide peers with a safe space, enhanced wellbeing and stronger inclusivity. They build high-trust relationships that help employees flourish, and they increase employee retention.  

 

What have all of you enjoyed most about BEST so far, and what are you looking forward to with it?  

SHEIRRA G.: 
I’ve enjoyed the engagement, events, collaboration, unity and the authentic spirits from all those involved so far. Our Wakanda Forever and Battle of the Bands Fanfest events have truly set the tone for our commitment to making the greatest impact. I look forward to more connections within the community, making a difference within Gas South which supports equity, and truly making a difference for our Customer Care Team. 

STEPHON W: 
I’ve enjoyed our strategic planning sessions the most. In these sessions, we try to generate ideas that will not only help us navigate this new space, but also connect that value to the Gas South way, while also being an authentic ERG. I’m looking forward to simply helping establish a platform where members can come together and feel safe while sharing and being their authentic selves. I enjoy reminding everyone that ERGs are fun groups where you can network, grow professionally and have serious or tough conversations.  

VELVET W.: 
To date, what I have enjoyed most about BEST is the collaboration with my peers, Stephon W., Rony S., Sheirra G., Aulona S. and Aisha D. It’s been amazing to work alongside this group. The level of passion, creativity and commitment they each bring to BEST is refreshing. I’ve also appreciated the tremendous amount of support we’ve received from our initial members and from the Gas South leadership team. I’m excited about what’s next for BEST. 

RONY S.: 
It’s been a blessing and a privilege to have collaborated with folks like Olivia in Marketing and to work with leaders like Stephon, DeBerry, Aulana, Sheirra, and the Minister of Finance as our sponsor.  

I look forward to seeing our projects come to completion and seeing more Gas South employees join and support us in our future endeavors. 

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Winter is here, which means it’s time to crank up the heat! While heating appliances are operating in your home this season, it’s important to remember a few safety tips about carbon monoxide in order to keep you and your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced from the combustion of carbon-based substances and can be emitted from fireplaces, faulty furnaces, generators, water heaters and other heat sources. Carbon monoxide does not smell and has no taste. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can cause several flu-like side effects including sickness, nausea, headaches, drowsiness and sometimes even death.

If you believe you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, call 911 and evacuate your home or business.

CO Safety Tips

To keep your household safe this winter, practice these safety tips so you can breathe easy:

  1. Have a CO alarm and monitor in the home, and test it regularly. Keep the monitor at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.
  2. Don’t use grills, generators or camping stoves inside the home. These appliances can emit high amounts of CO, and it’s important to only use them in well-ventilated areas.
  3. Never leave a car running in the garage. Car exhaust is one of the substances commonly associated with CO poisoning.
  4. Keep gasoline stored in a locked location away from children, and keep it only in small quantities. It’s also important to keep gasoline away from heat sources to prevent combustion and CO emission.
  5. Have home heating systems inspected and serviced annually by a trained technician. This includes appliances like furnaces, ovens, gas stoves and and water heaters.

Keep these tips in mind over the coming months so you can keep warm and stay safe as it gets cooler outside.

For more information on natural gas and carbon monoxide safety practices, check out our natural gas safety tips. For even more info, check out Atlanta Gas Light's Emergency Saftey Information.

Like nations throughout the world, America has many who continue to be challenged by poverty. And so each year, January marks a time to shed light onto the issue with National Poverty in America Awareness Month. As a company committed to supporting the needs of the communities we serve, especially its children, we wanted to take some time this week to share a little about what’s known about poverty in our country and why we believe it's important to do our part. 

Historically, poverty rates were at their highest in the U.S. before the early 1960s—almost a quarter of population was in need. That’s when the nation banded together with programs to help alleviate some of the financial struggles Americans were facing. And it helped, but it wasn’t a total fix for the issue. Since then, the number has fluctuated between 11% and 15% nationally on average. And the numbers are higher when we consider children. 

Today, almost 17% of the children in America are living at or below the poverty line, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau—that’s millions of kids who often don’t have access to basic needs. This number varies by state and seems to rise in much of the Southeast. In Georgia, for example, that number is between 18% and 21.9%. And it can be even higher when we look at specific areas. Several metropolitan regions in this state report in at 24 percent or higher. 

Apart from the challenges poverty creates for children in their day-to-day lives, research shows it can also create long-lasting effects on health and happiness that follows them into adulthood. That’s why Gas South is committed to giving 5% of profits to help support children in need. It’s part of how we strive to Be A Fuel For Good—and we’re thankful to each customer who is automatically part of this. 

In 2022, we gave more than $3.2 million to this effort—a figure that brings us to more than $12 million since we started. From providing basic needs and educational resources to helping with childhood illness and disability, we want to make a difference. And we know helping children is one of the best ways to do that. They’re the future of this world, and we’re committed to doing our part to give them every opportunity to lead happy, successful lives. 

If you’re looking for ways to make a difference during National Poverty in America Awareness Month, consider donating your time or money to one of the handful of great organizations below we were able to help support in 2022. 

Second Helpings 
Feed the Children 
North Central Florida YMCA 
Girl Talk 
Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding 
Ronald McDonald House Florida 

Stay tuned to our blog and social media posts as we continue to support this worthy cause in the many months and years ahead. 

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Radloff Middle School students pose with a giant bag of soil purchased with some of 2022’s Gas South STEAM funding that helped finance their Sustainable Food Systems project.

Radloff Middle School students pose with a giant bag of soil purchased with some of 2022’s Gas South STEAM funding that helped finance their Sustainable Food Systems project.

Each year as we strive to Be A Fuel For Good in the communities we serve, we’ve committed to giving 5% of profits to support children in need. In 2022, we were able to donate more than $3.2 million to worthy childhood causes in Georgia and Florida—more than double our charitable giving the year before. Our hope is that we can play a part in ensuring these children go on to lead successful lives. 

One of those efforts in Georgia was helping to fund STEAM projects in Gwinnett County’s public schools. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, and we were thrilled to donate a total of $50,000 to six schools for various educational projects. Here’s a breakdown of the schools and the projects they received funding for: 

  • Partee Elementary School: $9,560 for STEAM Creation Station and Entrepreneur Expo
  • Alcova Elementary School: $9,500 for Chickens in the Garden
  • Bethesda Elementary School: $9,100 for Nethesda Curriculum Integration Garden
  • Richards Middle School: $2,224 for Retro Richards
  • Louise Radloff Middle School: $5,800 for Sustainable Food Systems; $4,750 for Lights, Camera Action!
  • Discovery High School: $9,500 for STEM Lab 

At Gas South, we know providing opportunities to children is one of the best ways to make the world a better place. From supporting childhood education and basic needs to helping with illness and disability, we’re committed to making a difference. And the difference is good.

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At Gas South, we take great pride in the excellent level of customer care we’re able to provide each day, and so we’re thrilled this week to have been able to spotlight a few of our hardworking Customer Care representatives on social media. If you missed any of the posts this week, scroll down and check out our recap below. 

Brittany on the Customer Care Team

Brittany Cox 
Customer Care Representative 

Hometown: 

Douglasville, GA 

How long have you been with Gas South? 

I just celebrated my one-year anniversary on November 15. 

Favorite part about working on the Customer Care Team? 

I love working with the amazing team we have and being able to make a difference in the customers’ lives and provide the best customer service possible. 

Fun fact about yourself? 

Christmas is my favorite holiday so much that I keep my tree up year-round and change out the decorations depending on what holiday it is! 

Keithia on the Customer Care Team

Keithia Magby 
Customer Care Representative

Hometown: 

College Park, GA 

How long have you been with Gas South? 

I’ve been here a little over a year. 

Favorite part about working on the Customer Care Team? 

My teammates and coach are the absolute best things about working on the Customer Care Team. It makes my day when we all get together to work in-office and do fun, engagement activities together! 

Fun fact about yourself? 

One of my favorite hobbies is to explore and find new places to eat. I love trying new food items as much as possible and becoming a master at ordering 'off menu.' 

Rebecca on the Customer Care Team

Rebecca Hernandez
Customer Care Support Specialist 

Hometown:  

Brockton, MA 

How long have you been with Gas South? 

I have been with Gas South for four years. 

Favorite part about working on the Customer Care Team? 

My favorite part about working on the customer care team is being able to help someone with a problem they're having. We never know what people are going through, and working in Customer care gives us the opportunity to connect with our customers, learn about their lives and take at least one thing off their plates. 

Fun fact about yourself? 

When I was 20 years old, I quit my job and explored my mother's country for four months and ended up falling in love with my Uber driver. Three years later, I married him. 

Luis on the Customer Care Team

Luis Rodriguez 
Customer Care Representative 

Hometown: 

New Orleans 

How long have you been with Gas South? 

I've been with Gas South since September of 2021. 

Favorite part about working on the Customer Care Team? 

I enjoy the close-knit relationship the team has. 

Fun fact about yourself? 

I'm currently working on designing album covers for Folk City, the legendary New York City night club. 

Kay on the Customer Care Team

Kay Beaton 
Customer Care Quality Assurance Specialist 

Hometown: 

Kailua, HI 

How long have you been with Gas South? 

Five years 

Favorite part about working on the Customer Care Team? 

Working in the QA department of customer care, I love being able to help guide customer service agents in better ways to assist our customers and commend them on a job well done! I love identifying processes and procedures and finding ways to improve the experience for agents as well as our customers. 

This year, December 9 recognizes the hard work and commitment of sales professionals in the U.S. with National Salesperson Day. In honor of the occasion, we took a few moments to catch up with one of our own highly regarded sales team members, Samantha R. Here’s more from Samantha! 

Samantha R. Salesperson at Gas South

Hi, Samantha. I know you came over from Infinite Energy when Gas South acquired them in 2020. How long were you there at Infinite? How long have you been at Gas South?  

I started at Infinite in September of 2014 and transitioned to Gas South in January of 2021. 

What got you into sales to begin with—was the natural gas industry your first foray into the field, or had you done sales before that?  

I got my first sales job when I was 16 and have been in sales pretty much ever since with the exception of a few service industry jobs. Before I got into natural gas, I sold everything from children’s books, makeup and cellphones to obsolete and hard-to-find electronic components to manufacturers and the military.  

What’s the best part about working in Sales? And what’s the best part about working at Gas South? 

My favorite thing about working in sales is the ability to write your own paycheck and working with and talking to new people all the time. Every day is a new adventure, and it doesn’t get boring! I love the culture at Gas South and the ability to work with and build relationships with so many different departments outside of my own.  

What’s the most challenging aspect about sales?  

Being in sales is a constant grind that you’re starting over at the beginning of every month. If you’re not organized and detail oriented, it can be overwhelming. But having done this for so long, I’ve found a pretty good groove.  

When you’re not selling natural gas, what do you do for fun? 

I love makeup, traveling as much as possible, going to concerts, cooking and working out. And I have two very spoiled German Shepherds that take up a lot of my free time as well.  

We’re so thankful for the outstanding effort Samantha and the other members of the sales team put in each day here at Gas South. Happy National Salesperson Day to all of you—and to each dedicated sales professional everywhere. 

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When it comes to severe weather, most of us are familiar with how it can affect our daily lives. Strong winds, rain and ice can cause damage to our homes and businesses and knock out power for hours, if not days, in some cases. But this isn’t usually the case when we consider natural gas. Below, we’ll talk about why that is and what you need to do in the rare instance severe weather has had an impact on your natural gas. 

Natural Gas Cold Weather Safety 


Can natural gas pipes freeze?

The chances are slim that the natural gas flowing through the pipes leading to the meter at your home or business will freeze. In its unrefined state, natural gas does often contain water molecules and other chemicals that can freeze—this was an issue in 2021 in Texas where the state experienced unusually cold temperatures that halted the flow of gas before reaching refineries. But by the time it reaches your home or business, it’s been processed and “dried” through several steps that keep this from happening.  

But what about the natural gas pipes themselves, you ask? Well, they’re almost never an issue. Unlike the pipes that carry water throughout your home, natural gas lines inside your home won’t get cold enough to be damaged by extreme temperature drops—even if you’re away and haven’t run the heat in a while. And the pipes outside leading to your meter, buried and insulated by soil well below the frost line, aren’t usually an issue, either. They’re typically made from materials meant to withstand the rigors of extreme cold and heat, and your utility company would be responsible for maintaining these pipes anyhow. 

Can my natural gas meter freeze?

Natural gas meters are designed to withstand freezing weather. But they can be damaged if snow or ice is allowed to accumulate on them. Be sure there’s no icicle above your meter that can drip water and then later freeze, and never pile snow up against the meter. In cases where light snow fall has built up, it’s OK to gently brush it away. But if your meter is totally iced over or frozen, be sure to call your local utility company and let them handle the issue. 

Natural Gas Storm Safety—Tornadoes and Hurricanes 


According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, tornadoes can happen in all 50 U.S. states, though some experience them more often than others. Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma, for instance, lead the nation in tornadoes, while Georgia (2021) ranks fifth in the nation. Hurricanes, on the other hand, mostly affect states like Georgia and Florida along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 

What can I do to prepare for a storm? 

When a big storm is predicted to hit, people commonly ask “should I turn off my natural gas?.” The answer is no. There’s little you need to do to protect your natural gas supply before a storm. In most cases, it won’t be affected at all. Many utility companies, including Georgia’s largest, Atlanta Gas Light, advise customers against shutting off the valves to their meters beforehand. Leaving it on helps ensure proper pressure is maintained in the pipes, which helps prevent water from entering the lines should flooding take place. Additionally, most gas appliances in homes or businesses have safety valves that automatically cut the supply of gas if the pilot light goes out. 

What about after the storm? 

If a tornado or hurricane has come through your area and you don’t smell the rotten egg odor of natural gas in your business or home, do a quick check of your furnace, water heater and other appliances that may use natural gas to make sure there’s no damage. You’ll also want to make sure chimneys, flues or any vents are clear of debris or any other obstructions. If flooding has taken place, even if the water has subsided, don’t attempt to operate any gas-powered appliances that may have been under water. Be sure to have a qualified technician inspect or repair any damaged appliances before you attempt to operate them. 

If you do smell natural gas—or hear the sound of escaping gas—leave the area immediately, being sure not to use any open flames (like a match) or electrical appliances, including light switches, before you do. Be cautious of potential leaks outside as well. Even though natural gas lines outside are generally protected beneath the ground, uprooted trees or fallen structures can present a potential natural gas leak risk. In all of these cases, don’t worry about trying to find the source of the leak. Get yourself and everyone out of the home, business or area and immediately report the suspected leak to your local utility company (or 911). 

If you’ve been shopping for low rates from natural gas companies in Georgia recently, you’ve probably noticed that the price of natural gas has remained high with companies across the board. This week, we wanted to share a little about why prices have risen and how Gas South—and other natural gas companies—set rates. 

It starts with the NYMEX.

Like other natural gas companies, Gas South doesn’t produce natural gas. We purchase it to sell to homes and businesses after a price has been set by the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), the world's largest exchange for energy products. At the NYMEX, traders meet and set prices based on several different factors.

Why is the NYMEX high right now?

Supply and demand are huge considerations when it comes to setting the price of natural gas, and it’s at the heart of why natural gas prices increased in the last few years—higher than they’ve been since a spike in 2008. 

More than a decade ago, gas and oil companies began using more efficient methods to extract natural gas from beneath the earth. And that helped create a nice reserve to put into storage. Demand had also been relatively low during this period. So, needs were met, and prices stayed low.

Hurricane Ida put a crimp in that when it blew through in August, 2021, leaving a wake of destruction that, among other things, shut down natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico by 94%. Despite the setback, there was still a nice reserve prior to that summer, but record temperatures helped siphon much of that off as the demand for electricity went up. 

In years past, coal was the chief source of fuel used to produce electricity in the U.S. But in recent years, natural gas has taken its place—about 40% of our nation’s electricity is made by burning natural gas. When a heat wave hit in the summer of 2021, electricity use skyrocketed as people ran their air conditioning units into overtime. The capacity of interstate pipelines was unable to handle the volume of gas needed to meet demand, thus constraining pipeline flow. And that lack of supply boosted the price of natural gas set by the NYMEX, causing home and business owners throughout the U.S. to pay more for their gas. 

Stretching into 2022 and early 2023, electricity producers have continued to rely on natural gas as their chief source of fuel used to continue meeting U.S. needs for electricity. And the high demand for natural gas is not just in the U.S., as Europe and parts of Asia have also increasingly moved away from coal in favor of natural gas to create energy.

This worldwide demand was strained even further when Russia invaded Ukraine in the earlier part of 2022, souring export relations between Europe and Russia, the world’s largest producer and exporter of natural gas. To help offset the demand in Europe created by these geopolitical disagreements, U.S. producers in 2022 exported record volumes of liquified natural gas (LNG). About 75% of the LNG produced was shipped overseas in 2022—compared to 34% the year before—according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The situation remains the same as of early 2023.

How can you cut your natural gas costs?

The price of natural gas fluctuates, despite being relatively stable from 2008 until now. It’s impossible to say for certain where rates will be in the future. But there are ways to protect your pocketbook.

Selecting the right natural gas plan can have a huge impact on your bottom line, regardless of how high rates currently are.

A fixed rate plan, for example, will let you lock in your rate for the term of your agreement. Or for complete peace of mind against rising natural gas prices, choose our OnePrice Plan™. Sign up and pay one, flat monthly payment (plus tax), regardless of usage or where the NYMEX prices are.

After you've chosen the right plan for you, you can further reduce your monthly cost by making your home more energy efficient.

Get your best rate on natural gas.
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Like many of you each year on Veterans Day, we know the importance of honoring the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans and military members. We know they help make everything possible, and we’re thankful to each of them for their part in keeping America safe and secure. 

Today, in tribute to veterans everywhere, we took some time to catch up with two of our own employees about their service in the military. Here’s more from Ebony D. and Ashley S. 

ebony in army uniform

Ebony D. 
Manager of Customer Systems 
Operations 

Hi, Ebony. When and why did you decide to join the service?   

My desire was always to go to college, but my transcripts never made it to the colleges that I was interested in attending. My parents didn’t want me sitting around the house until things got squared away, so I enrolled in the local community college. I decided to join the military when I saw a loan receipt payment that my parents made for me to attend that one semester—so I joined to help pay for my college. I was sworn in December 1996 and left for bootcamp in January 1997. 

What branch did you serve in and for how long? 

I was in the U.S. Army for eight years. 

What was your job while you were in? 

I was a Dental Specialist (91E), which is the equivalent of a dental assistant. I learned how to take and develop x-rays (there was an actual darkroom), use different instruments and read charts—everything your dental assistant would do when you’re at the dentist. I didn’t know how important my job was until I found out that teeth had to be at a certain level for soldiers or they weren’t eligible for deployment. 

What did you take away from your experience in the military? 

Discipline, teamwork, collaboration, long-lasting friendships and respect for the chain of command. 

How has this transferred to the workplace—and in everyday life—for you? 

I still wake up earlier than most to plan and start my day. I’m intentional about my goals and things I must accomplish daily. I’m also big on teamwork and collaboration, and I still follow the chain of command if I need to escalate issues or concerns. I also find myself not walking on the grass (laughs). I can’t speak for other branches, but walking across the grass was not allowed when I was enlisted!  

Why is Veterans Day important, and how do you celebrate? 

I often try to find a Veteran’s Day parade nearby. My brother, grandfather, several uncles and cousins and I have all served in various branches, so Veterans Day is a family affair. We all share our experiences and horror stories going through basic training, different events, people we’ve met along the way and even war stories—my grandfather was serving in the Navy in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked, so to hear his stories firsthand is fascinating.   

ashley s. photo

Ashley S. 
Customer Care Representative 
Customer Care 

Hi, Ashley. When and why did you decide to join the service? 

I decided to join the military in 2018. My reasons for joining were simple. At the time, I had just left school to help my mom take care of my stepdad. And once he was better, I couldn’t figure out what direction I wanted my life to go in, so I decided to join the military to travel while I figured that out. 

What branch did you serve in and for how long?  

I served in the United States Army and planned to make a career out of it. However, life had other plans. Due to my health, I was medically retired in oct of 2020. 

What was your job while you were in? 

While in the army, my M.O.S. was 68H, which translates as an optical laboratory specialist. Basically, I was fabricating lenses for soldiers who needed glasses. While in Hawaii, me and my team of three were responsible for fabricating glasses for all military on the island. 

What did you take away from your experience in the military? 

I definitely learned a lot more discipline and how to be a leader, but also that sometimes being a good leader is knowing when to follow. 

How has this transferred to the workplace—and in everyday life—for you? 

I’m able to use the customer service skills I was taught for my job in the military. While making glasses for service members, you had to have excellent customer service, especially when dealing with officers. 

Why is Veterans Day important and how do you celebrate? 

Veterans Day is important because service members should be celebrated for all that they do. It’s a lot of a sacrifice once you join the military, which you don’t really comprehend until you’re actually in. I celebrate Veterans Day by going to get free food and reflecting on all of those who came before me and sacrificed so that I’m able to live and do freely. 

Gas South salutes all of our nation’s veterans and military members. Thank you for all you do. 

November is nationally recognized as Native American Heritage Month, a time each year to honor and pay tribute to the rich and varied cultures, histories—and futures—of our nation’s first people.  

There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S, including Alaskan Natives and tribes that extend from the U.S. into Canada and northern Mexico, and all have played a part in making America what it is today. This week, in celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we’ll learn more about one of those tribes from Gas South’s Melanie M. as she shares a little about her own Native American heritage. 

claude ayers wearing a traditional catawba headdress
Melanie M,’s grandfather, Claude K. Ayers, wearing a traditional Catawba headdress during one of his yearly visits to schools each November, sharing about Native American culture.

Hi, Melanie. Tell us about your Native American heritage. You’re a member of the Catawba Indian Nation, correct? Is that on both sides of the family or just one?  

Yes, I’m a member of the Catawba Indian Nation. My grandfather on my mom’s side is a full descendant, so it’s carried through him.   

Did you grow up with a sense of your Native American heritage—was it something your family celebrated, or was it something you came to or learned about later in life?  
  
My grandfather was a very active tribal member. He served on the Board and was involved in the Catawba community through ministry and through service. He was an integral part of the large land settlement granted to the Catawbas in the 1990s, which reinstated the Catawbas as a federally recognized tribe. Because of my grandfather, we were very connected to our heritage growing up. He lived on tribal land once he retired from pastoring, and we often attended cultural events as kids.  

What does being a member of the Catawba people mean for you in terms of involvement with the tribe? Are you required to attend any special functions or perform certain duties? How do you take part?  
  
I’m not obligated to do anything specific, though I am trying to reconnect to my tribe in recent years as I learn more and value my heritage as an adult. There was a period of rebuilding for our tribe and its council while I was a teenager and young adult, and it’s been in recent years that the tribe has really made an effort for its people to connect back to the tribe, even though many do not live close. Technology has made staying in touch much easier, as you can imagine.  

Anything new or exciting going on with the Catawba today you’d like to share? Are there any challenges they face?  
  
The Catawbas have been hard at work at the state and federal level in recent years to reclaim land in North Carolina, which has allowed our tribe to build a gaming casino and conference center in Kings Mountain, NC. Phase one of the project is open and the developers are working to finalize the full conference center and casino over the next few years. It’s an exciting development for our tribe as it will bring new jobs and revenue for the Catawbas - which will continue to allow us to make investments in our people and our communities.   

Can you tell us a little about the Catawba people, historically and now? What about their customs, traditions and beliefs? What’s important to the Catawba, as a people?  
  
The Catawba Indian Nation has lived along the banks of the Catawba River in the Carolinas dating back at least 6,000 years with a population size upwards of 25,000. The tribal people called themselves “yeh is-WAH h’reh,” meaning “people of the river.” As Europeans first encountered them in the late 1500s, they began calling tribes along the Catawba River Valley by the name Catawba. As European settlers continued to migrate and claim land in the Carolinas, disease spread and by the late 1700s our nation’s population was barely 1,000. At that point, the King of England granted the Catawbas 144,000 acres in South Carolina.  

The Catawbas were known as fierce warriors, and during the Revolutionary War, they aligned with the patriots to help them gain their independence—one of only three tribes to do so. When most tribes were moved west during the Great Removal period, the Catawbas and the South Carolina government—expecting the tribe to soon die out—entered the Treaty at Nations Ford. The treaty kept the Catawbas from being sent west on the Trail of Tears, but in return the nation was forced to relinquish its 144,000 acres to South Carolina, in return for a 700-acre reservation—where the tribe still has its reservation today near Rock Hill, SC. Of the 574 federally recognized tribes in the US, the Catawba Indian Nation is the only one located in the state of South Carolina. Our population is now closer to 3,300.  

How do you celebrate this month?  
  
One of my favorite tribal events is held in the month of November, the Yap Ye Iswa Festival. It has long been held the Saturday before Thanksgiving to honor and commemorate our tribal ancestors through traditional tribal dances and drumming, Catawba crafts and other activities. I’ve attended as far back as I remember, and with an extended break in the tradition due to Covid, the festival is back this year. I’m looking forward to teaching my two young boys about their heritage, and this is one important piece to me.   

Why is it important to honor Native Americans? Tell us a little about their contributions to today’s America—how have they influenced our lives? What lessons can their experience provide us today, and what should we keep foremost in our minds during Native American Heritage Month?  

It seems quite simple. Native Americans were our country’s first true people. Long before Europeans came to settle here, they were here living their lives with their people—this land was truly theirs. And when the Europeans came, it was the Native Americans who taught them how to survive here, and though that may have looked different than what they were used to, it’s important to remember how it all started. I don’t think Native Americans have ever asked for much in return—just the ability to live on the land they love and treat it the way they see fit.   

I love our culture, our heritage, our love of the land and its natural beauty. When I think of my heritage, I feel very connected to it all—there’s a deep appreciation for all beings, not just manmade things.   

I don’t think Native American Heritage Month has a different message or meaning than any other time we reflect and honor other groups of people. It’s just about appreciating people different from you and respecting their perspective and all that their ancestors have gone through to get us where we are today. A hope our history can be preserved and remembered—even its darker times—as a way to learn about how we all got here and be hopeful for where we can all go together.   

Gas South is proud of the diversity in our workplace. We know it’s a big part of what makes this company strong, and we’re thrilled when we get a chance to highlight some of that strength. We hope you enjoyed this week’s blog celebrating Native American History Month. Stay tuned to our blog as we continue to highlight diversity in our workplace in the months ahead. 

Each year, October 27 celebrates National Mentoring Day, a time to appreciate and encourage mentoring in all its many forms. As a company that strives to Be A Fuel For Good, we know mentoring is a valuable part of any workplace experience, so we thought today would be the perfect opportunity to highlight our new TrailBlaze Mentorship Program, which we also wrapped up for the year yesterday with an official ceremony celebrating the participants. 

The planning for TrailBlaze started a few years ago after an employee engagement survey revealed that employees were looking for more ways to grow, said Aisha DeBerry., Gas South’s Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It then took about another year’s worth of planning, she said, launching in February of this year and lasting for nine months.  

 "It’s been a great success," she said. "The mentors and mentees had an opportunity to engage and create meaningful relationships as well as gain perspective for growth." 

 Before the official kickoff in February, mentees and mentors both were required to fill out an application. Mentees described what they were looking for, which, Aisha said, included topics like networking, creating a social presence, how to provide and receive feedback, financial literacy, planning for retirement and more.   

Mentors, who were asked to have specific skills, experience in leadership or mentoring, listed the subject areas and topics they were qualified to mentor on, Aisha said. And then mentees and mentors—a total of 24 this year—were paired up, with mentees setting the pace for interactions. 

Here’s a little from a few of this year’s participants: 

"As a mentee, I had a great experience in the TrailBlaze Mentorship Program," said Senior Quality Assurance Specialist Berenice M. "The program intentionally connects people while being well-structured, professional and organized. Gas South has never had an experience like this before, and I’m excited to know it will be replicated for others in the future. My mentor, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer David M., was very open-minded, well-informed and happy to discuss his own challenges in the workplace and in everyday life. He was motivating, authentic and inspiring. I’ve learned important lessons and developed relationships, and that’s invaluable. I’m incredibly appreciative of my excellent experience."

"Our TrailBlaze program really exemplifies one aspect of what it means to Be A Fuel For Good here at Gas South: looking out for employees," said mentor and Vice President of Sales Jason D. "Even though we’re in the first year of the program, it’s proven to be one more way we’re able to offer growth and opportunities for the folks who put in so much hard work and effort here—professionally and personally. I’m honored to have taken part this year as a mentor—and I learned a lot about myself as a leader, too. I look forward to the continued success of TrailBlaze in years to come." 

Financial Analyst Rica D., one of this year’s mentees, said, "It was such an honor to be a part of the inaugural cohort of the TrailBlaze mentorship. This experience afforded me the opportunity to connect with a senior leader whom I wouldn’t have had the chance to learn from in my normal course of business and who’s been so valuable to further my understanding of the company as a whole and the development of my career. Thank you, Gas South!" 

"The TrailBlaze program provided me, as a mentor, the opportunity to challenge myself to grow for my mentee and myself," said Lead Application Developer Sue R.   

"As I provided guidance, I found I needed to hear the same things, and it allowed me to self-motivate and broaden my perspective," Sue said. "I experienced an incredible sense of joy as I watched my mentee break down barriers, overcome fears and adjust her mindset to work toward her goals. Mentorship is about building relationships, sharing knowledge, guiding and encouraging others, but it’s also about seeing new perspectives, providing mentors the opportunity to grow and learn from their mentees and building up our employees so they can continue fine tuning their strengths, overcoming weaknesses and working toward the best version of themselves."

Gas South is thrilled at the success of this new mentorship program, and we’re excited at the growth opportunities it presents for the future of the company and the people who work here. 

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Each year, the fourth Saturday of October celebrates National Make a Difference Day, a reminder for all that they can make an impact on society and the world through even the smallest of actions. 

As a company that strives to Be A Fuel For Good, we’re especially fond of this day because it aligns with our own efforts to make a difference—for customers, employees and in the community. Each year, we give 5% of profits to support children in need to make their futures better—a give-back that will total more than $12 million by the end of 2022. And that doesn’t include the hundreds of volunteer hours our employees have put in with various charitable causes.  

A few months back as part of our annual Impact Investments, we gave $300,000 to six nonprofit groups in Georgia and Florida working to help children and families with basic needs, education and illness and disability. It wasn’t easy selecting these six groups. Many worthy organizations applied—and we hope they will again next year and in years to come. But that selection process did, for us, underscore how hard it can be to pick a charity when there are so many great organizations to choose from. So, with that in mind, we thought we’d highlight our 2022 Impact Investment winners for you in case you’re looking for a great organization to help on National Make a Difference Day. Here are the six groups we awarded funds to this year: 

  1. Second Helpings: Second Helpings is a food rescue organization whose mission is to reduce hunger and food waste in metro Atlanta. Visit SecondHelpingsAtlanta.org. 
  2. Feed the Children: This charity is one of the largest based in the U.S. and provides hope and resources for those without life’s essentials. Visit FeedTheChildren.org. 
  3. North Central Florida YMCA: This organization offers programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit ncfymca.org. 
  4. Girl Talk: Girl Talk inspires middle and high school girls to be confident leaders through peer-to-peer mentoring. Visit MyGirlTalk.org. 
  5. Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding: This group serves the special needs community daily by offering therapeutic horseback riding lessons that teach life and social skills. Visit BeyondLimitsRiding.org. 
  6. Ronald McDonald House Florida: This organization supports "Our House," a home that provides lodging and meals to families traveling to Gainesville, FL, to seek medical care for ill children. Visit rmhccf.org. 

There are lots of ways to make a difference. It doesn’t have to be giving money to a cause. Instead, maybe you make some time to volunteer with your favorite charity. Or perhaps you help a neighbor with a home repair or yardwork. Or maybe it’s just remembering to be extra kind to someone who could use a smile or a few pleasant words. It all makes a difference. And we hope this blog inspires you on National Make a Difference Day. 

 

What does it mean to Be A Fuel For Good?
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searching for natural gas services in your area

As the leading natural gas provider in the Southeast, we’re often asked questions here at Gas South about this clean-burning fuel that go beyond our top-rated customer care and affordable rates. More and more, people want to know about the environmental impacts of natural gas and how it functions as a bridge fuel to cleaner energy. Let’s take a look at some of those questions. 

Is natural gas renewable?

 
Yes and no. Like coal and oil, natural gas is what we call a fossil fuel, which means it’s typically not considered renewable. Most of the world’s supply of this clean-burning fuel lies deep underground where it was created hundreds of millions of years ago. It’s the product of organic matter from ancient plants and animals—predominantly in our prehistoric seas—that was buried under layers of silt, mud and rock. With time and pressure, the organic matter was converted to the clean-burning natural gas millions of people use each day Just like coal and oil, there’s a finite amount of natural gas that waits to be harvested beneath the ground, but it remains plentiful and offers advantages coal and oil don’t, especially when we consider cost, environmental impact and reducing U.S. dependency on other countries for sources of fuel.

In recent years, new technologies have allowed us to go beyond collecting just what lies beneath the ground. A product known as renewable natural gas (RNG) can now be collected from decomposing organic waste materials—food, agricultural and forestry waste, landfills and wastewater. And it’s proving to be an environmentally conscious solution to the growing energy needs of homes and businesses everywhere. 

What about natural gas environmental impacts?

Like coal and oil, natural gas has to be burned to create energy—either at a power plant to make electricity, at your home or business for heating and cooking or as a transportation fuel. And that does result in some carbon emissions. However, harmful emissions are much lower than that of coal, oil and the more traditional petroleum products used in transportation. And when we factor in direct home or business use—when it’s piped straight to you—versus using the electricity natural gas can generate at a power plant, efficiency goes up even more—reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money. 

When compared to coal, which was the leading source of fuel burned at power plants until relatively recently, natural gas produces up to 60 percent less carbon dioxide per unit of energy. And it’s also more efficient as a transportation fuel compared to diesel fuel or gasoline, especially when that fuel is made from RNG. 

Is natural gas a bridge fuel?

 Yes, it is. Like the name implies, a bridge fuel is a source of energy that can help span the gulf of climate change—eventually leading us from one source of energy to another. 

When it comes to relying solely on renewable energies like wind and solar, there’s still much work to be done. And it could take decades before we’ve advanced technology enough to cut our dependance on fossil fuels entirely. Gas South is an ally in this cause. That’s why we’ve committed to investing $50 million to solar projects by the end of 2023. We believe we have a responsibility to make the planet more sustainable for future generations. 

In the meantime, clean-burning natural gas can help us get there. It’s affordable, plentiful and helps reduce air pollution, creating immediate health and environmental benefits. 

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As the most diversified fuel in the U.S., natural gas gets put to many uses. It heats our homes, businesses and schools. It’s the preferred method of cooking by chefs. And it even powers vehicles in the transportation industry. On the power generation side, it’s become the chief means to produce electricity at power plants, helping all of us reduce our carbon footprint each day when we use computers, lights, washing machines, air conditioners and a myriad other electrical devices and appliances. 

Natural gas is proving to be the fuel of the future. It’s abundant, efficient, affordable and cleaner burning than other fossil fuels like coal and oil. Let’s look at five environmental benefits of natural gas. 

5 benefits of natural gas graph

Natural Gas Advantages 

  1. One of the biggest benefits of natural gas is that it emits low amounts of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses. It’s a fossil fuel, so it has to be burned to create energy. But it’s one of the cleanest options we have, producing up to 60 percent less harmful emissions compared to fuels like coal when used by power plants to create electricity. Using natural gas to create electricity keeps the air cleaner and works against climate change—read more in our blog on natural gas as a bridge fuel to cleaner energy. 
  2. Another big benefit of natural gas is that it can be used as a transportation fuel that’s cleaner and more efficient than traditional diesel fuel or gasoline. When compared to other petroleum fuels, natural gas has been shown to have 13% to 17% lower well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions and 27% lower CO2 emissions. And because it can be used as compressed natural gas, it can avoid the potential for spills like other petroleum fuels—another aspect Mother Nature appreciates. When you consider the number of 18-wheelers and delivery trucks that traverse the nation each day delivering goods, the environmental benefits of natural gas are huge. 
  3. Most natural gas is harvested from deep below the earth, but another natural gas advantage is that is can be artificially produced from decomposing waste matter. Known as renewable natural gas, this source of energy made from the methane of wastewater or food, forestry and agricultural waste in landfills is proving to be an important fuel to help reduce our carbon footprint.  
  4. Home appliances that run on natural gas are far more efficient than those that run on electricity. And that efficiency translates as energy savings that’s good for the environment—and your bank account! Additionally, about 90% of natural gas produced is delivered to customers as useful energy, while only 30% of energy converted to electricity reaches customers. Whether you’re using natural gas for heating, cooling, cooking or cleaning, the benefits of this clean-burning fuel are clear. 
  5. Natural gas promotes the use of other clean energy sources. It’s used as a raw material in the production of lightweight cars, wind power blades, solar panels and other energy-efficient materials. 
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celebrating hispanic heritage month

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month this year, celebrated annually in the U.S. from September 15 to October 15, we thought it would be fun to share a few of the employee recipes we’ve collected for Gas South’s new employee recipe book: Cooking With Culture. The goal is to collect recipes in separate volumes that celebrate the different cultures and heritages tied to certain months and days throughout the year. This first volume pays tribute to some of the favorite foods of Hispanic and Latin American culture. And in this week’s blog, we give you a sampling of some of those recipes. Buen Provecho! 

Dominican Casabe 
Submitted By: Dennis C. 
Region/Country: Dominican Republic 
Background: Casabe, a type of bread, was originally produced by the Native Americans, Arawaks, Tainos and Caribs throughout the Caribbean basin, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Lesser Antilles, Bermuda, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. It’s made from the tubers of the cassava (yucca) plant—common throughout these countries—and made up an important part of the traditional diets of the people who lived there. 
Prep time: 20 minutes 
Cook Time: 4 minutes 
Ingredients:1 kg (2.2 pounds) of cassava; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon mild-flavored oil 
Instructions: 

  1. Peel and wash the cassava (yucca) well. Then cut it in half and remove the center. 
  2. Grate it with the help of a guayo (grater), using the finest grating side. 
  3. Once grated, add the salt, and place it on a clean cotton cloth. Then, wrap it and squeeze to extract all the liquid and form it into a cassava dough. 
  4. Next, place the dough a flat tray and take it to the refrigerator for 4 hours, kneading every hour. 
  5. After 4 hours, it should be slightly moist and ready to cook. 
  6. Place a pan over medium-high heat and add the oil, spreading it over the entire surface of the pan so the dough doesn’t stick. 
  7. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of the dough to the pan, flattening it with a spoon to create a thin cake of cassava dough. 
  8. Cook for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown—any remaining moisture will evaporate, and the dough should break easily. Your cassava should be crunchy. If it’s still a little flexible, it needs a little more cooking time. 
  9. Serve your casaba when done or store it in a dry place to preserve its crunchy texture. 

 

Mangu 
Submitted By: Ernesto C. 
Region/Country: Dominican Republic/Caribbean 
Background: No. 1 traditional breakfast in the Dominican Republic 
Prep Time: 15 minutes 
Cook Time: 30 minutes 
Ingredients: 1 green plantain; 4 eggs; 6-8 breakfast sausage patties (Dominican salami/salchichon); 1/2 red onion; 1 avocado; salt to taste; pepper; 1/4 cup of white vinegar; 1tbsp butter; 1/2 - 1 tbsp of vegetable oil 
Instructions: 

  1. Peel and cut plantain into small pieces. 
  2. Place plantain in a pot of water and bring to boil. 
  3. Allow plantains to boil for about 10-15 minutes. 
  4. Remove from water and set aside. 
  5. Heat a pan to medium heat. 
  6. Cook the sausage (Dominican salami/salchichon) in pan for about 1 minute on each side or until browned. (Sausage will release fat. No need for butter or oil.) 
  7. After sausage is done, cook eggs to your preference—traditionally fired eggs are the way to go, so you may need butter or a bit of vegetable oil 
  8. In a different pan, heat to medium heat and add 1/2 of vegetable oil. 
  9. Slice red onions into thin round slices and add to pan with vegetable oil. 
  10. Allow onions to lightly fry for about 5 minutes, then add 1/4 cup of white vinegar (or less if wanting a weaker vinegar taste). 
  11. After onions are done ,go back to the pot with the plantain and pour out most of the water—leave a bit of the water. 
  12. Add butter, salt, pepper and a bit of the vinegar from the onions into the pot with the plantains and mash them all together. 
  13. Plate the mashed plantain (mangu) with the onions on top and with the eggs, sausage and avocado on the side. You can also have fried cheese with this dish. 

 

Cheese and Guava Flan 
Submitted By: Enrique V. 
Country/Region: Puerto Rico 
Background: This version of flan puts a Puerto Rican spin on a popular desert of Spain and Latin America. 
Prep Time: 20 minutes 
Cook Time: 60 minutes in the oven 
Ingredients: 1 can (12oz) of evaporated milk; 1 can (14oz) of condensed milk; 1 pack (8oz) of Cream cheese; ½ a pack (7oz) of Guava paste; 5 eggs; 1 cup of sugar; ¼ cup of water 
Instructions: 

  1. Add sugar in a saucepan with water in medium heat for 15 minutes to create a caramel. Check regularly and stir as needed to ensure all sugar is being cooked. (Optional: Add ½ teaspoon of lemon juice.) 
  2. In a blender, add: 
    • Guava
    • Condensed milk
    • Evaporated milk
    • Cream cheese. 
  3. Turn on blender to medium until guava is liquified/broken down and mixed with other ingredients. 
  4. Add eggs to the blender. (Optional: Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.) 
  5. When caramel is ready (golden), pour onto baking mold and distribute evenly. Add mix from blender.  
  6. Place the baking mold in a bigger baking dish and add some boiling water to create a water bath that the mold sits in—this will help the flan cook evenly. 
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours before serving. 
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September 22 marks the first official day of fall, and that means it won’t be long before temperatures drop and most of us are wanting to spend more time indoors—where it’s warm and cozy. In this week’s blog, we’ll look at some of the ways to use gas around the home and advantages of heating with natural gas. 

Why More People Are Heating With Natural Gas

In the U.S., 47% of homes use natural gas as a main source of heat, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration—that’s compared to 36% who use electricity for this purpose and the remaining 17% who heat in other ways. And those numbers make sense when you consider the advantages natural gas offers. 

In cooler months, heating is the biggest energy expense in most U.S. homes. Natural gas is cheaper than electric heat—almost half as much, depending on the state you live in and how it’s being priced. And that’s because it isn’t cheap for power plants to produce electricity—a cost that’s ultimately passed on to you as a consumer. Historically, most power plants have relied on burning coal and oil to produce electricity. But even when they burn natural gas to create energy, it’s not as efficient as when you burn it directly at your home or business—and that means you save more when you’re heating with natural gas versus electricity. 

Natural gas is also safer that other types of heating fuels like propane or residential oil heat, as it produces less airborne pollutants that can end up in your home. And because natural gas is piped directly to your residence or business, you’ll never have to worry about running out or having to get your tank refilled. 

And heating with natural gas is good for the planet too. As we mentioned above, power plants continue to burn fuels like coal and oil to produce electricity, and that increases your carbon footprint when you use that energy. But when you’re heating with relatively clean-burning natural gas piped directly to your home or business, you’re doing more to cut down on carbon dioxide and other air-polluting emissions. And that’s something we can all feel good about. 

If you’re considering converting to natural gas or wondering about natural gas for your new home, check out our blog on how to get natural gas service. 

Four Ways People Are Heating With Natural Gas

  1. Natural Gas Heaters: There are two main types of natural gas heaters used for keeping the air temperature warm in your home or business. Forced-air central heating system furnaces are the most common. These use a gas burner to heat air that’s circulated by a fan through ductwork and then out through vents into room spaces.  

    Hydronic or radiant water-based systems are the other main type. These use a natural gas burner to make steam or hot water that’s pumped through pipes or tubes—often used these days in situations where a radiant floor system is desired.  

    And then there are also combinations of these two types. Forced-air systems typically cost less to operate, but if someone also wants heated floors, a combination system gives them the best of both worlds. 

  2. Natural Gas Water Heaters: Heating water is the second biggest energy expense for most households, and so it makes sense that some would prefer to use money-saving natural gas for this as well. There are two main types of natural gas water heaters (and then various combinations of each): storage and tankless. With a storage type, which is the most-commonly used, water is heated with a natural gas burner, then stored in an insulated tank for later use. With a tankless natural gas water heater, on the other hand, water is heated instantly as its being used.  

  3. Natural Gas Fireplaces: If you like the ambiance and warmth of a fireplace but aren’t in love with the expense and maintenance, natural gas fireplaces are a good alternative. You’ll never have to acquire firewood or kindling, start the fire or clean out ashes. Plus, as we’ve discussed before, natural gas is much more efficient at heating, which saves you money on fuel, and it burns cleaner than wood, which keeps the air in your home cleaner. Natural gas fireplaces come in two basic types: vented and ventless. Vented will make use of a chimney or pipes or will need to be installed on an exterior wall where gasses are released directly from the fireplace through the wall and then outside. Ventless types, though offering more flexibility in where they’re placed, will send emission into your home—a safety issue that should be weighed when considering a purchase. 

  4. Natural Gas Patio Heaters: Need a cost-efficient way to heat your patio or outside space when it’s cold out? Consider a natural gas patio heater. Compared to electric heaters, they run quieter, are more energy-efficient and are usable in spaces where there’s no electrical outlet. And compared to a propane heater, you won’t have to worry about running out of fuel or having to remember to have a tank refilled. There are lots of styles to choose from too. 

Switching from Electric to Natural Gas Heat 

For homeowners who want to make the switch from electric to natural gas heat, there are a few factors to consider if you don’t already have natural gas in your home. 

It’s possible you’re already using natural gas in your home for cooking but not for heating. If so, you’ll just need to have a licensed technician install a line inside your home to where your new natural gas heater will be located. 

If you don’t have natural gas in your home at all, you’ll need to first check that it’s provided in your area. If it is, you’ll then need to make sure there are natural gas pipelines close to your residence—a licensed technician or plumber will need to tap into these lines and route it to your residence. Start with your local utility company to figure this out. They’re responsible for maintaining these lines up to the meter that will eventually be installed at your home, and they can let you know about service and gas line infrastructure. in Georgia, your utility company is most likely Atlanta Gas Light (AGL).  

After it’s been determined that natural gas is a possibility at you residence and lines and a meter have been installed, you’ll need a licensed professional to install lines from the meter to your new natural gas heating system—lines that will need to be run through your walls, ceiling or flooring. 

When you’re all hooked up, your next step is to choose a provider. When you sign up with Gas South, we’ll arrange for an AGL technician to come and turn your meter on, based on your preferred date and time. And we’ve got lots of great plans and options to fit your natural gas needs. Plus, you’ll never pay a deposit at Gas South—keeping up to $150 in your pocket. And you’ll even get a $50 bill credit to sweeten the deal! 

As an extra bonus as a Gas South customer, you also get exclusive savings on other utilities with our partner, Coolray. Coolray offers the best in heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical maintenance and repair, and Gas South is proud to partner with them to bring you even more value.

Learn more about how to receive natural gas in your home.

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As a company that cares, we’re always striving to "Be A Fuel For Good" here at Gas South. And that means we go beyond providing you with affordable natural gas plans and the highest-rated service. We believe in doing our part to strengthen the communities we serve, and so each year we give 5% of profits to help support children in need—a total of more than $9 million since we began this effort in 2006. 

As part of this commitment, we invite non-profit organizations that focus on childhood basic needs, education and illness/disability to apply for $50,000 Impact Investment awards each year. With a total of $300,000 to give for these awards, we select 18 finalists. Then our employees vote and narrow that down to six winners that split the total funds available.  

For the 12 finalists who didn’t win this year, we’ve also invested another $25,000 with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits as an opportunity for these groups to join our Accelerating Impact Cohort. This immersive program helps these groups learn how to strengthen their efforts in supporting children in need. 

This year, we’re excited to announce the following six organizations as the winners of Gas South’s 2022 Impact Investment awards: 

BASIC NEEDS CATEGORY 

Second Helpings: Second Helpings is a food rescue organization whose mission is to reduce hunger and food waste in metro Atlanta. The funds will be used to expand the Food Rescue Network, a program in which staff and volunteers rescue surplus food and distribute it to those in need.  

Feed the Children: This charity is one of the largest based in the U.S. and provides hope and resources for those without life’s essentials. The grant will be used to help provide more than 350,000 children around the world with a hot, nourishing meal every day.  

EDUCATION CATEGORY 

North Central Florida YMCA: This organization offers programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The donation will be used to build a community STEAM lab for local children and teens, giving them the ability to learn life-changing skills and explore new technologies. 

Girl Talk: Girl Talk inspires middle and high school girls to be confident leaders through peer-to-peer mentoring. The $50,000 award will be used to expand the Girl Talk Ambassador program, which gives high school girls the opportunity to participate in a leadership cohort for one year.  

ILLNESS/DISABILITY CATEGORY 

Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding: This group serves the special needs community daily by offering therapeutic horseback riding lessons that teach life and social skills. The donation will be used to purchase a new horse, fund rider scholarships and cover overhead costs, such as feed and vet bills 

Ronald McDonald House Florida: This organization supports “Our House,” a home that provides lodging and meals to families traveling to Gainesville, FL, to seek medical care for ill children. The nonprofit is currently renovating to expand its services to more families, and Gas South’s donation will sponsor a room at their new location. 

Gas South is proud to support each of these important organizations and the work they do—and we’re thankful to each you who also plays a part and makes all this possible as a Gas South customer. 

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cooking with natural gas on stove

Whether you’re preparing meals in the kitchen or firing up ribs on the backyard grill, cooking with natural gas is preferred by many looking for more control of cooking temperatures, easy cleanup and ways to save money. In this week’s Gas South blog, we take a closer look at natural gas stoves and grills. 

Natural Gas Stoves 

From top chefs to your average home cook, natural gas continues to be a favorite in kitchens everywhere. It’s easier to control cooking temperatures, cooks faster and, in most cases, is more energy efficient than electric stoves. This helps you save on your energy bill and helps reduce your carbon footprint—electricity is often produced at coal-fired plants. And because you’re cooking with an actual flame, natural gas stoves also give you instant heat and the ability to char certain food items—a near impossible feat with an electric stove.  

If your kitchen isn’t already set up for natural gas or you’re in the design phase of a new home, you’ll have to have the appropriate gas lines installed.

Once you’ve got that detail taken care of, there are lots of stove options available on the market. Today’s natural gas stoves come in a range of colors and finishes. And you can select a model with as few as two burners or as many as six in varying sizes to accommodate different pots, pans and other cookware. You’ll also have options with the type of oven you want in your natural gas stove. Some come with convection fans to circulate heat. Others include air fryers and variable broilers. You can even purchase a smart natural gas stove that gives you control of your stove through an app on your phone or by syncing with a home assistant like Google Home or Amazon Alexa. 

Natural Gas Grills 

When it comes to ease and simplicity, natural gas grills are the best way to go for your backyard barbeques. Just like natural gas stoves, these clean-burning grills provide instant heat, a convenience you won’t experience with charcoal or pellets that take time to reach desired temperatures. Plus, owning a natural gas grill means you won’t need to buy or load charcoal or pellets in the first place, which makes cleaning your natural gas grill easy, as there’s never any ash buildup to get rid of. And you won’t have to stoke fires or adjust vents. Simply control the flame and temperature with the turn of a knob.  

As we mentioned above in the section on natural gas stoves, you’ll need to have access to a supply of natural gas. If you’re not set up with a line to the back yard but your home already uses natural gas for other appliances, the process is a little easier than not having any gas lines at all. Simply have a qualified technician come out and run a new line from your home to your grill. If you don’t have natural gas at all, a technician will have to run a line from the street, assuming there are already gas pipelines nearby that can be tapped into. 

When you’re good to go on getting a supply line run, you’ll find you have just as many options for natural gas grills as you would for stoves—perhaps more, even. Along with an array of sizes and looks, you can find natural gas grills with options like infrared sear burners, which use radiant heat to prevent food from drying out; multi-fuel grilling, a sort of hybrid natural gas grill that lets you also use charcoal or pellets; and rotisseries that allow you to slowly rotate meat, helping you preserve the mouth-watering juices that roll across the surface. 

We hope you found this article helpful. Natural gas remains an important source of fuel for all types of purposes in the home, and Gas South is proud to serve so many of you with affordable plans and excellent service. 

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searching for natural gas services in your area

When it comes to choosing energy for home use that will save you money, natural gas is the winning choice, and that’s why so many have come to rely on it. From heating your home or bath water to cooking and powering your dryer, natural gas is one of the most efficient ways to power your home—and it’s cleaner than other fuel types, so you’re helping Mother Nature when you use it. 

In this week’s blog, we tackle some of the specifics related to the common question: How do I get natural gas? 

How To Find if Natural Gas Is Available in My Area 

In many states, you can only get natural gas through your local utility company. In others, you have a choice in who delivers your gas, and utility companies in these areas mostly exist to own and maintain the pipelines. Most will list the third-party natural gas suppliers available in your area on their websites.  

If your home is already set up for natural gas—meaning there’s already a natural gas line and meter installed at your residence—and you’re in a state like Georgia that’s deregulated, your next step is choosing a provider. 

Atlanta Gas Light is Georgia’s largest natural gas utility, owning most of the pipelines throughout the state. And like other utility companies in deregulated areas, they provide access to a listing of certified marketers in the state—see a listing of certified natural gas marketers from the State of Georgia Public Service Commission. 

From the list, you’ll be able to select a natural gas provider that appeals to you and contact them to make sure they service your particular area. Beyond the price for your natural gas, be sure to check for other discounts certain providers may offer, as well as their customer service rating. 

Gas South offers competitive rates and plans, but we also never charge a deposit, which can keep up to $150 in your pocket. We’re also Georgia’s highest-rated provider, and we’re committed to giving 5% of profits to children in need each year. 

Setting Up Your New Natural Gas Utilities 

Once you’ve chosen a provider (for deregulated states), getting set up is relatively easy. In Georgia, as we mentioned above, you’ll most likely have Atlanta Gas Light as your utility. But whether you’re setting up brand new service, moving current service to a new location or switching providers, you don’t need to contact Atlanta Gas Light. Reach out to your chosen provider directly, and they’ll get you set up once they’ve determined they serve your area. 

At Gas South, you can do this on our website or with a quick phone call with one of our friendly Customer Care representatives. We’ll confirm whether we serve your area, and then, if we do, you can choose a plan that fits your needs. 

Once you’ve signed up for a plan, we’ll move forward with setting up service—we can do this for you up to 90 days in advance. You can pick when you’d like to have service turned on, though we typically have to confirm that time with Atlanta Gas Light, as they’re responsible for sending a technician out to perform the gas turn-on at your residence. In some cases, an adult must be present. In others, AGL might request that a key is left to access a property. Either way, we’ll follow up with all the details you need to know. 

As an extra bonus as a Gas South customer, you also get exclusive savings on other utilities with our partner, Coolray. Coolray offers the best in heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical maintenance and repair, and Gas South is proud to partner with them to bring you even more value. Learn more about your Coolray savings with Gas South.

How To Get Gas in My Home 

In many cases involving new construction or homes not currently set up to receive natural gas, there are no issues getting set up for service as long as there’s already some existing natural gas line infrastructure nearby. If nearby lines exist, you’ll want to have a licensed plumber run a line from the existing gas pipes to your home—costs will vary depending on how much pipe is installed and what types of materials are used. And you’ll need to have a meter installed on your home so your utility or provider can measure the amount of natural gas you use. Additionally, you’ll have to have piping run through your home in various places to accommodate the different types of appliances you want to run—HVAC system, hot water heater, gas stove or dryer. 

In Georgia, you’ll want to start with Atlanta Gas Light to find out if natural gas is available at your address and what types of requirements they have for service connection. They also have information for new builders. 

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Each year in the U.S., the competition for entry-level jobs gets tougher and tougher, and it can be a struggle for fresh college graduates to set themselves apart and get their proverbial feet in the door. Fortunately, many companies offer opportunities to help overcome this hurdle in the form of internships. And Gas South is proud to be one of those companies. 

Through paid internships that help build real-world working skills, we’re helping shape the future of America’s workforce. And in return, we’re enlivened and inspired each day with the hard work, creativity and enthusiasm our interns bring to the table.  

In this week’s blog, in honor of everything interns contribute each year, we’re spotlighting a few of our own on National Intern Day. 

Young woman with a dark shirt and hair pulled back in front of a white background.

Alaina M.P.

Course of Study: Business Administration  
School: Georgia State University  
Intern Title/Department: HR Intern  

Hi, Alaina. How long have you been an intern here and what made you choose Gas South? 

I’ve been an intern for a little over two months. I began my internship on May 16, 2022. When searching for an internship, I had two goals in mind:  gain experience in the Human Resources field and work for a company that cares about their employees. After researching dozens of internship listings, I found Gas South, which checked all my boxes. 

How would you rate your experience here so far? Would you recommend an internship here to friends? 

I would rate my experience as five out of five stars. The employees at Gas South are so welcoming and were available any time I had a question or needed additional help. I would recommend this internship to my friends and college classmates. It’s a great opportunity to network, build your resume and gain job experience in a corporate setting.  

What have you taken away from the experience? What’s been the best part? What skills have you picked up? What sort of challenges have you faced? Has Gas South better prepared you for the job market? 

I’ve learned so much in my short time at Gas South. However, there are two things that stand out the most to me. First, its learning how the different departments work together to maintain the overall operation of the company. Second, I learned how to communicate in a professional and effective way. Communicating with your friends and peers in school is different than communicating with your manager or the CEO of a company. I’m glad I was able to learn new communication skills that I can carry with me. I also enjoyed the volunteerism aspect of the internship. I feel prepared and less afraid as I anticipate my entry into the job market. 

What are your future professional plans? 

My plan is to begin my career in one of the many functions of HR, where I can continue to grow and develop as a professional.  

What do you do for fun when you’re not studying or working for Gas South? Interesting talents? Hobbies? Pets? 

I enjoy reading novels, traveling, outdoor activities, going to the movies and spending time with my family and friends.  

A man posing in front of water wearing a plaid button up shirt.

Jake P.

Course of Study: Economics and Business Administration 
School: University of Florida 
Intern Title/Department: SRM Analyst Intern 

How long have you been an intern here and what made you choose Gas South? 

I’ve been an intern with Gas South for just over two months. Prior to the start of my internship, I was fortunate enough to tour the Atlanta office during an excursion hosted by my college’s Beyond120 program. Of all the organizations I visited on this trip, I was most impressed with Gas South. The company’s mission statement and commitment to giving back and the great office culture and welcoming employees were the primary reasons I chose to pursue an internship here. Following a mock interview during my tour, I was given the chance to interview for an internship position. I jumped at the opportunity and was fortunate enough to be chosen to join the team.  

How would you rate your experience here so far? Would you recommend an internship here to friends? 

I’d certainly recommend an internship with Gas South to friends—and already have. This experience has been amazing so far. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my projects and getting to know my fellow employees. I’ve  learned and grown a great deal during my short time with Gas South, and I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. 

What have you taken away from the experience? What’s been the best part? What skills have you picked up? What sort of challenges have you faced? Has Gas South better prepared you for the job market? 

Prior to this internship, I had little knowledge of what it’s like to work within a company. The transition from schooling to work is a major step, and I felt a bit unprepared to leave the comfort of a classroom and venture into the business world. However, I now feel that I have a strong foundation to make career decisions, rather than a speculative one. From my work, I’ve learned a lot about myself, the natural gas industry and how a large company operates. Additionally, this internship has allowed me to polish some of my previous skills (Excel, Python, professionalism, time management) and learn new ones (how to be a good team member, how to navigate salesforce, Power BI). My favorite part of this internship has been working with my team. Those who I see daily are very intelligent individuals and have been kind and welcoming during my time at Gas South. 

What are your future professional plans? 

At this point, I don’t have any set-in-stone professional plans. However, I do know that in the short term I want to work with a company that allows me to continue to learn and grow. In the long term, I hope to take the experiences, knowledge and capital that I have gained and start my own business.  

What do you do for fun when you’re not studying or working for Gas South? Interesting talents? Hobbies? Pets? 

For fun, I like to do anything that involves nature or music. Some of the things I love to do include rock climbing, kayaking, playing piano, longboarding, making beats, reading in a hammock, going to concerts, playing with my cat, hanging out with friends and cooking. Lately, things that let me get out of my comfort zone have been the most fun.   

Young woman with clear eyeglasses in front of a white wall.

Mia M.

Course of Study: Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity 
School: Georgia Southern University   
Intern Title/Department: IT Helpdesk Intern in ITPMO 

How long have you been an intern here and what made you choose Gas South?  

I’ve been an Intern at Gas South since May 16. Before applying to Gas South, I knew very little about the company. I was aware that Infinite Energy Arena, where I attended a concert for one of my favorite artists, suddenly became Gas South District. With that information in mind and the nature and role of this internship position, I thought this experience would be a great opportunity to learn more about what I’ve studied thus far in school.  

How would you rate your experience here so far? Would you recommend an internship here to friends?  

This has been my very first experience as an intern. I’d have to say it has been a great one with a 10 out of 10 rating. I’d recommend Gas South to friends and colleagues.  

What have you taken away from the experience? What’s been the best part? What skills have you picked up? What sort of challenges have you faced? Has Gas South better prepared you for the job market? 

The overall experience of the intern program has been great. I love how each internship is tailored to personal and career development goals for all of us. It’s given me valuable insight into discovering where and who I want to be in my professional career. Of all the training sessions we’ve had, Emotional Intelligence was my favorite. I’ve been on my own path of personal development for some time now and these additional resources to help has been the best part of my experience. I’ve applied these same resources in working through challenges relevant to my job duties. I can communicate better and gauge when I don’t feel comfortable in challenging situations.  

What are your future professional plans? 

As I begin my career in IT, I’d like to work in a help desk or tech support role to learn more about the software, hardware and troubleshooting methodologies. Once I feel comfortable in that position, I would like to continue in Cybersecurity or Network Administration.  

What do you do for fun when you’re not studying or working for Gas South? Interesting talents? Hobbies? Pets? 

I like to do outside activities most of the time. I enjoy hiking, and I’m now getting into gardening. I also enjoy yoga and meditation or just going for long drives admiring the sky and clouds and surrounding trees. It’s just aesthetically pleasing being outside.  

As a company that strives to “Be A Fuel For Good,” we feel it’s important to pay interns a competitive wage and provide them with new skills and real-world work experience—and we want them feel like part of the Gas South family. If you or someone you know is looking for a rewarding internship with Georgia’s highest-rated natural gas provider, check out our careers page for the latest opportunities we may have posted. 

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Gas South's Blog

With all the hustle and bustle of modern life, we know managing your natural gas account is one of the last things you have time to deal with. That’s why we’re happy to offer easy solutions to help simplify your busy lifestyle. If you haven’t already, take a look at some of the convenient options and services we offer—they’ll give you more time to focus on what matters most.

Switch to Our OnePrice Plan™

No one likes surprises on their natural gas bill, and that’s become even more of a home budgeting factor these days with the unpredictability of U.S. natural gas prices and the ever-present threat of cold weather each winter.

With OnePrice Plan, available in 12-and 24-month plans, you pay one flat, monthly payment, making it easy to set it and forget it. Tailored to your household’s needs, OnePrice Plan lets you gain peace of mind knowing you’ll pay the same amount regardless of usage with no settlements or true-ups. That’s one price. Every month. Every season.

Manage Your Account Online

Gas South makes it simple to manage your account with our online account services. Registering is quick and easy, and you’ll just need your account number to get started. Once you’re set, you’ll be able to see your gas bill online, renew your plan and more, 24/7.

Download the Gas South Mobile App

The Gas South mobile app gives you the flexibility to manage your account from anywhere, anytime. It’s easy, secure and gives you full functionality. Just visit Google Play or the app store and search “Gas South” to download the app.

Sign Up for Alerts and Auto-Pay

Through your online account, you can sign up for text and email alerts about your account and other important notices. And you can even sign up for Auto-Pay while you’re there. With Auto-Pay, we’ll process your natural gas bill for you each month, so you never have to worry about missing a payment.

Go Paperless

Paperless billing is another great option to save time and a little money. You won’t have to worry about increasingly slow USPS delivery times when it comes to your gas bill. You can save those stamps and envelopes for your holiday cards.

Plus, a paperless statement is a great way to go green. It cuts down on the number of trees that ultimately end up in landfills—about 1 billion trees worth of paper each year in the U.S. And it helps reduce the energy used to produce paper and helps curb harmful emissions pumped into the air from paper mills.

Learn more about our Solutions for Sustainability and our commitment to help persevere the future of the planet.

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Gas South's Blog

No one disagrees that moving is stressful. Packing boxes, harassing friends for help, renting U-hauls, scheduling service technicians, all those change-of-address forms…and that’s only phase one of the process.

Maybe you can relate to this experience? If so, you’ll remember how big the "little things" were when setting up a new home. At Gas South, we understand what a hassle moving can be, so we make it easy for customers to transfer their natural gas service and help you save!

 

moving stock photo

Turning on Service in Your New Home

When you’re ready to move, simply visit Gas South online to schedule a service transfer for your upcoming move. If you don’t have your online account set up, register today.

Not a Gas South customer yet? It’s quick, free and easy, and you’ll be able to manage your account 24/7 with the touch of a button. Or give us a call and one of our friendly Customer Care representatives will help schedule your transfer.  

We’ll check to see if we can serve you at your new location, and can easily transfer your natural gas service helping you avoid any cancellation fee and a costly deposit (which saves you hundreds of dollars).

Once we’ve checked to make sure your new location is in our service area, we’ll schedule your transfer and help you avoid any cancellation fees or costly deposits—both of which can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings. And to make things even easier, we can schedule your natural gas turn-on at your new address up to 90 days in advance of your move! 

Switching From Another Provider or Setting Up New Service

If you’re looking for a different kind of natural gas company for your new home, your search is over. From locking in a stable fixed rate to paying one flat, monthly payment with our OnePrice Plan™, we’ve got an easy option to fit the needs of your home.  

And whether you’re switching from another company or setting up new service, there’s never a deposit, which can keep up to $150 in your pocket when you join Gas South—Georgia’s highest-rated provider. 

Plus, Gas South goes beyond great plans and top-rated customer care. We want to make a difference in the communities we serve. So, each year, we’ve committed to giving 5% of profits to support children in need. It’s just one of the ways we strive to "Be A Fuel For Good." And as a Gas South customer, you’re part of that. 

Saving You Money When You Move

Get $50 in bill credits.

With all the planning and stress that can come with a move, there’s also the fact that it can be expensive. To help with that, you’ll get a $50 bill credit  whether you’re new to Gas South or transferring current service. 

Save on movers.

As a Gas South customer, you can also save on moving services with our partner Atlanta Peach Movers—a 5% discount on your move anywhere in the U.S. 

Set up other services all at once.

To cut down on the other headaches often associated with moving, our home service connection partner Allconnect is your one-stop shop for helping set up Internet, phone and cable services at your new home. As an added bonus when you choose Allconnect through Gas South, you’ll also get exclusive discounts with Home Depot, Overstock.com and Amazon. 

Getting Ready to Move

The easiest way to improve your move is to stay organized, and we create a handy moving checklist to help you do just that. It’s printable so you can keep it in a central place in your home and keep yourself on track up to the big day.

And when your move is just around the corner, check out our five best tips to hack your move. From genius ways to upgrade your boxes to a first night survival kit, we have put together how-to videos that will save you time (and save your back).

So, remember, it’s easy to transfer or start your natural gas service with us. We’re here to answer any questions you may have – and we’re ready to move when you are!

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Gas South's Blog
Mama Koku Visits Gas South

Although it only became an official federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African American holiday in the U.S., honored each year since 1866 to commemorate the end of slavery. 

Slavery was officially abolished by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 with the Emancipation Proclamation, but it continued in parts of Texas for more than two years afterward. The arrival of federal troops there to deliver an official decree on June 19 (Juneteenth), 1865, ended that practice. And we’ve been celebrating ever since. 

This year, in addition to time off Monday, June 20, for employees to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday that happened on Sunday, we invited acclaimed Atlanta storyteller and author Donna Kokumo Buie (better known as Mama Koku) to share her spirited account of the African American journey to freedom with all of us here at Gas South. 

“These stories are meant to keep us aware … to keep us learning and growing as humanity,” Mama Koku said at the beginning of her presentation, standing in African garb and swaying to the beat of drums in front of a camera that sent her message out virtually. 

The people of Africa—healers, farmers, scientists, teachers and more—were forced to come to these new shores against their will, she said. And throughout hundreds of years of brutality and oppression working to “raise up this new land,” they persisted. They told their own stories, she said. They persevered, always whispering words of freedom until those whisperings grew into a voice so loud it could no longer go unheard—even, eventually, in Texas. 

These days, “people are evolving,” she said. “White, Black, Brown, Red … all colors of folk are coming together. Juneteenth, yeah, it’s about the black thing, but it’s also about us. All of us. It’s about freedom. And there’s still much to do.” 

After Mama Koku’s presentation, we caught up with some of the folks here at Gas South about the day’s event. 

“Today's presentation was great,” said Brianna B. “I enjoyed the energy the speaker portrayed to the audience, and she gave us an opportunity to participate. This storytelling experience was important because it was educational and provided us with a little history of African Americans and how they became free.”  

Betsy S. said, “Embracing Juneteenth as a holiday and learning the history of it is important in taking ownership of our country's dark history, which will make strides toward a more healing environment. I enjoyed the presenter's energy and the manner in which she presented the information.” 

"I love the idea of storytelling and sharing the history of why we all should celebrate Juneteenth,” said Tonia P. “Being open to understanding the experiences of others is important to our own growth—learning from the inequities of our history so we can look back and say we have evolved into different people, more empathetic, loving and focused on true equality for all.”  

Aisha D., Gas South’s Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, helped organize the event. 

“I really enjoyed Mama Koku’s ability to engage with people,” Aisha said. “And I loved the African music she played, the way she dressed and the set pieces she incorporated at the end. I felt like I was watching a play.” 

“It’s important for Gas South to celebrate Juneteenth because it fits in with our mission to ‘Be A Fuel For Good,” she said, adding that presenting opportunities to learn and take part helps build and maintain trust. “This story of Juneteenth can bring us together, and I appreciate coming into a space where people are willing to learn more about each other. And Gas South is all about that. In general, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion isn’t easy, but the culture here is very collaborative and supportive, and that makes my work a lot easier.” 

Thanks for reading along. We hope you had a happy Juneteenth this year. Be sure to stay tuned for more blogs on some of the great things we’re taking part in here at Gas South, where we strive to "Be A Fuel For Good." 

Gas South's Harli G.

From the crystalline blue waters of Antigua, Cuba and the Bahamas to the warm sandy beaches of Jamaica, St. Lucia and Haiti, the Caribbean makes up an important area of the world. Each of its 13 countries and territories is full of distinctly rich cultures, histories and traditions. So, as we continue to celebrate diversity here at Gas South—and throughout the world—we wanted to use June, which salutes Caribbean American heritage, as another opportunity to spotlight one of our many talented employees. In this week’s blog, we’re featuring Gas South’s Harli G. and her Haitian heritage in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Harli, tell us a little about your background? Where are you from? What did you study in college and why?

I was actually born and raised in Montreal, Canada, and my parents are Haitian. I grew up speaking French and Creole and didn’t learn English until I moved to the states at the age of 13. It wasn’t until I got to college that I truly started to advocate for and really represent and demonstrate a sense of pride for the Haitian culture. There, as I began interacting with individuals from all walks of life, I began to gain an appreciation for diversity. I attended Alabama State University on a full track scholarship. ASU is an HBCU (Historically Black College and University). Engagement and connection have always been part of my DNA, which is why it may not come as a surprise that my major in school was public relations.

Can you tell me a little about your role here at Gas South?

I’m a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP). To break it down, I support various departments in providing HR support. On any given day, I could be partnering with managers on employee relations, performance management, organization structure, strategy, workforce planning or engagement, to name a few. HRBPs are the bridges that connect the employer with the employee.

What aspects do you enjoy most about your job and about working here?

The impact! To know that in my role I not only help employees professionally but also personally is the part of my job that I enjoy the most. It’s so rewarding to have the opportunity to be a part of their journey.

What does Caribbean American Heritage Month mean to you? And from your perspective, what does it mean for Gas South?

To me, it means celebrating a group of people and a culture that’s rich in so many ways. From the food (griot, soup joumou, banan peze), traditions (Carnival), music (Konpa) and language (a mixture of French, Spanish and Portuguese) to the proud heritage of a small but strong people, I couldn’t be prouder to call myself Haitian.

From the Gas South perspective, it means we truly welcome people from all walks of life and encourage them to be their true, authentic selves at work. It means we get to bring different experiences and perspectives to the table. We get to be a truly diverse workforce.

What’s the one accomplishment you’re most proud of since you started here? Why?

Just my journey overall. I have been able to grow in so many ways since the first day I started at Gas South seven years ago. I started as a coordinator where I facilitated new hire orientation for about six years. I had the opportunity to be the first person that new hires engaged with when they came onboard to Gas South—that first impression. I’m really proud of that.

How has Gas South helped you develop in your career?

Wow, where do I start? There have been so many things. From the continuing education and getting my SHRM certification to internal opportunities or the buy-in of my leadership team who continuously pushes me beyond my comfort zone and holds me accountable, Gas South has enabled me to grow not only professionally but in my personal life.

Any advice for young Caribbean Americans starting their careers?

Be open. Be open to learn and to teach others. And it’s important how you show up, and don’t apologize for who you are. It’s what makes you you.

How do you spend your free time when you’re not at work—family, hobbies or hidden talents?

This may come as a surprise to everyone, but I like to work out. It’s one of my favorite hobbies in between taking my minions to gymnastics, swimming, football or track—keeping up with kids is a full-time job.

What Caribbean traditions or customs do you incorporate in your daily life or even professional life?

A big part of the Caribbean culture involves food, cooking traditional Haitian dishes for my family such as soup joumou or diri a djonjon (translates to mushroom rice). The soup joumou is cooked and consumed as the very first meal of the year. It symbolizes Haitian independence. Music is very prevalent in our culture as well. I try to expose my kids to as much of it as possible. I have dance parties with my kids, and they are so much fun.

Thanks for reading our blog, and stay tuned in the months ahead as we continue to spotlight the many cultures and backgrounds that make Gas South such a great place to work.

celebrating asian american and pacific islander heritage month

Each year, May celebrates the accomplishments and contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to our fine nation. And as a company that recognizes the strengths that comes with diversity, we’re proud to take part in that celebration.

In this week’s blog, we caught up with our own Kevin M., who’s been working at Gas South as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion coordinator for a little over a year. Kevin is Filipino American, so we wanted to get his insight on the importance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Hi, Kevin. Thanks for sitting down with us. Can you tell us a little more about your background and family heritage?

Definitely. I was born and raised in metro-Atlanta, but my parents are from the Philippines. Thus, I’m Filipino American. Filipinos have a distinct Asian background, with a strong Western tradition. The modern Filipino culture developed through influence from Chinese traders, Spanish Conquistadors and American rulers. Because of our strong connection to Spanish culture, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about people in a way that leans a little more Latin than Asian. It’s kind of cool because we’re the best of both worlds.

From your perspective, why is it important to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month as a nation? What are the things you hope people take away from the experience?

Well, it’s always important to recognize and embrace those who are different from you because we live in a global community. But for AAPI month specifically, it’s imperative that we not only celebrate this month but recognize the unique struggles Asian Americans face in this country. From familiar issues like the bamboo ceiling and the model minority myth to more recent issues, like blame for the pandemic, AAPI month gives us the opportunity to debunk these misconceptions and shed light on truth.

With your heritage and job as one of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) coordinators, you’re especially qualified to talk about why this month is important to Gas South as a company. What are your thoughts?

While I’m honored to talk about my culture, I also recognize that I can’t speak about every Asian culture in existence. There’s also a group that can be overlooked during this month: Pacific Islanders. People of Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, New Zealand, etc. descent. My point is that I’m also learning as well and that I also benefit from cultural months like these.

Is Gas South’s reputation as a diverse, equitable and inclusive employer what attracted you to working here? And how are we living up to our reputation? What are Gas South’s strengths? And what are the challenges we have in front of us?

What really attracted me to Gas South was their openness and willingness to have a whole team dedicated to DEI. I loved the idea of being on the ground floor in strategizing ways we can move the company forward in ensuring equity, whether through internal initiatives or external partnerships. I

would say that Gas South is at the ‘Emerging’ phase of our journey – meaning we’re still in the process of creating baseline foundations to promote equity and inclusion standards. Our strength lies in the fact that we’re always looking to be better. If we keep that mindset, we’ll be one step ahead of other companies in this industry.

You came up with a great idea for employees to take part in recently—the National Treasure AAPI Contest. Tell us a little more about it and how it helps others take part in and celebrate AAPI month.

Sure. This contest is derived from a real-life treasure hunt based on a book called “The Secret.” In essence, employees analyze a painting from the book and answer questions based on it. The painting happens to be connected to the AAPI community so I thought this contest would be a fun way to engage audiences while learning some trivia about the community.

How have employees responded to the contest?

We’ve gotten a pretty high response rate so far! So, at the very least, our employees are engaged.

What are some of your personal favorite Filipino cultural traditions? And what about other aspects of the culture—food, music, art, language, dance, literature? What do you love most about your heritage?

To name a few, I would say Group Karaoke, ‘Eat, Drink, Repeat’ mindset at parties, and Four-month Christmas (The Philippines doesn’t celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving, so the lead-up/prep for Christmas starts in September). As for food, right now, my favorite is egg rolls. For the rest like music, art, books, etc. – don’t really have a favorite. What I love most about my heritage is that it’s very family-oriented with an appreciation for performing arts, fashion, music and food.

As part of what it means to “Be A Fuel For Good” at Gas South, we’re honored to highlight the diversity that makes this company great. Stay tuned for future blogs that spotlight our talented employees as we pay homage to different cultural heritage celebrations throughout the year.

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Spring Energy Savings Tips with these smart devices

With the spring season’s new growth and the cold weather behind us, April is a time to rejoice in the natural splendor of Mother Nature. And holidays like Earth Day, April 22, and National Arbor Day, April 29, are here to help remind us about the importance of protecting our planet.

Conserving energy is one of the best ways to do that—and it doesn’t hurt that it can often save you money in the process. This week, in a salute to conservation, we’re sharing a few easy ways for you to help the planet with five spring energy savings devices for your home.


Smart Plugs and Power Strips

These energy-saving devices conserve energy by cutting off power to devices when not in use. Items such as computers, monitors, TVs and printers, for example, continue to suck electricity in standby mode, even when you’re not actively using them. Smart plugs and power strips are an easy solution to these energy vampires. They’re programmable, letting you determine turn-off times at set hours, and some even let you control them remotely with a single press of a button and monitor electricity usage. Here are some we like:


Energy Efficient Showerheads

Installing energy efficient shower heads is a great way to help conserve energy at home. You’ll save by using less water and, if you’ve got an electric water heater, the amount of energy you’re using to keep showering comfortable. Here are a couple of our choices:


Solar Lighting

Whether you’re looking to light a darkened foot path or need more light for a little late-night reading, solar-powered lighting is the energy-saving way to go. Check these brands out:


Solar Chargers

With so many devices that need to be charged these days, purchasing a solar-powered charger is an easy way to cut down on your energy expenses. And you can take them with you when you’re on the go, so you can stay charged anywhere. Here are some options to get you started:


Smart Irrigation Controllers

If you’re a homeowner in this warmer weather, you’re likely looking for more efficient ways to take care of your thirsty yard. Programmable smart irrigation systems can make it easy. Many will monitor the moisture content in your yard and landscaping and automatically adjust to water at optimum levels—helping you conserve this precious resource while maintaining the prettiest yard on the block. Here are three highly rated smart irrigation systems:


At Gas South, we strive to "Be A Fuel For Good." And part of that mission is to help preserve the planet for future generations. That’s why we’ve committed to investing over $50 million to solar projects by the end of 2023. And it’s why we offer options like paperless billing to help you save trees, keep the air cleaner and cut down on the amount of paper waste that ends up in landfills. Caring for the planet is just one of the ways Gas South makes a difference. And the difference is good. 

Join us—as a patron, volunteer, employee or customer—in our mission to do our part in protecting the planet. Learn more about our "Be a Fuel for Good" initiatives today.

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Gas South's Blog
Collage of 2021 impact opportunities that Gas South participated in

At Gas South, we pride ourselves on being a different kind of natural gas company. Our mission to “Be A Fuel For Good” means more than just offering everyday low rates and excellent customer care. It means we also strive to make a difference for our employees and in the communities we serve.

At the beginning of each New Year, we put a report together to highlight some of the good we were able to do throughout the year previous—our annual impact reports. In this week’s blog, we’ll highlight some of our efforts detailed in that report that made 2021 another great year of giving.

In total, we gave more than $1.5 million as part of our commitment to give 5% of profits to children in need each year—a promise we officially began in 2017. Our total charitable donations since we were founded in 2006 now come to more than $9 million.

In Georgia and Florida last year—our two biggest service areas—we gave $598,581 to help with basic needs in the community, $575,888 to childhood education and $295,984 to illness and disability, as well as more than $39,000 for in-kind donations and volunteering efforts.

We also logged more than 391 hours of volunteering in the community at 21 different charitable events. At Gas South, we know volunteering is important to help build strong communities, but it also helps engage employees and build a culture of giving that we can all take part in. To facilitate this engagement, we also offer employees eight hours of paid volunteer time each year.

To build on that engagement even more, 2021 was also the beginning of our Team Grants. These are volunteer projects planned by employees and funded by Gas South. Team Grants give all of us a say in how we want to “Be A Fuel For Good” here at Gas South.

And our efforts to build a strong work culture didn’t go unnoticed, as we were once again named as an Atlanta Journal Constitution Top Workplace. The recognition—ranking 52nd for midsize Georgia businesses—was officially bestowed in early March, but it was based on anonymous employee surveys taken during 2021 from thousands of companies throughout the state. This marks the fifth time we’ve been recognized as one of the best places to work in Georgia. And we’re all proud that our employees continue to find fulfillment and purpose in their jobs here.

2021 was also the first full year that we served as the naming rights partner of Gas South District. This was formally Infinite Energy Center, which Gas South took over near the end of 2020 (and soon renamed) when we acquired Florida-based energy provider Infinite Energy. This premier entertainment destination that includes Gas South Arena, Gas South Convention Center and the Gas South theater, serves as one more way we can continue to engage and support the community, and we’re excited about the opportunities it presents in 2022.

The year ahead looks to be promising in our efforts to make a difference—we’re even boosting last year’s give of $1.5 million to about $3 million. That will do a lot of good. And if you’re a customer with Gas South, we’re glad you get to be a part of that. Here’s to another great year of giving.

2021 Annual Impact Report
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Gas South's Blog
Meredith Hodges

March 8 is International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias and work toward women’s equality. At Gas South, we take great pride in our own ongoing efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion. So, to highlight one of the ways we do that, we sat down this week with our own Meredith Hodges, of Gas South Government Affairs, to learn more about how we’re making a difference with our Women’s Networking Circle.

Hi, Meredith. Can you tell me about Gas South’s Women’s Networking Circle—when it was started and why?

We kicked it off on November 17, 2016, with wine, cheese and a panel discussion addressing “elephants in the room." At that time, there were four women leaders at Gas South—Manon Brochu (Chief Operating Officer), Secret Holland (VP of HR and Community Affairs), Staci Parker (former Director of Sales) and me (former VP of HR & External Affairs)—who wanted to bring women together on a quarterly basis to network, hear from guest speakers and to discuss important topics.

The “elephant” concept was that each woman writes down the “elephant in the room” that we, as the female leaders in our company, need to know about. Topics could include pay, promotions, etc.

How is it organized, and what types of topics are discussed?

We generally mix up external speakers with presentations and discussions with internal leaders. That formula has pretty much remained the case since the beginning, though lately we’ve been doing more panel discussions. Over the years, we’ve also added events focused on networking and fun stuff.

In 2018, we started surveying women to determine what they wanted in events. Topics have stayed relatively consistent: communicating value, diversity, imposter syndrome, personal branding, balance and burnout. The following year, we started the Women’s Networking Committee. Carley Stephens, our Manager of Community Affairs, currently chairs the committee—she was also instrumental in coordinating early meetings and has been a great leader and advocate for women at Gas South.

During COVID, we experimented with virtual social events—discussions, painting classes, movie nights, etc. We continue to build on that by trying to provide variety to women. Not everyone wants to hear a speaker. One woman might want the time to network with others outside her department, and another might value the random Starbuck’s discounts we offer. Each woman is in a different place in her life and career, so you need the variety to ensure more touchpoints. It’s OK that people don’t participate in everything. Our hope, though, is that each woman connects at least once during the year.

What’s your role with the group? Has there been a particular meeting that stood out to you, and why?

I did one of the first presentations on generational differences—it piggy backed onto a presentation here by author Grace Killelea about personal branding, generational differences and about her writing. I’ve always thought it was fascinating to learn how age groups end up with so much in common.

Writing my presentation, I discovered things about my own generation. "Drinking the Kool-Aid," for example, is something you’re apt to hear from Gen Xers, but I didn’t realize it was in relation to the Jim Jones mass murder in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978, in which the leader laced Kool-Aid with cyanide, killing over 900 members of the Peoples Temple movement.

I was, however, most affected by our Millennials sharing their “normal” of school drills in case of shooters. That wasn’t in my realm of experience, having gone to school before that new normal. It certainly gave me a lot of pause and better insight into the Millennial psyche. My daughter is a Gen Z, so I’d never contemplated what these women worried about as kids.

I also really enjoyed facilitating a panel discussion of Gas South women leaders last year. We talked about career development and how to move up in the company. We had a great turnout for that event, and it was so much fun encouraging the dialogue between speakers.

Sounds like the Women’s Networking Circle has been popular at Gas South. Any interesting stories or testimonials you could share? What do attendees say? What do you say?

We’ve gotten great participation in the events over the years and a good number of responses from our annual surveys. People like the variety, the speakers, content and giveaways—especially the Starbucks credits to women who’ve been nominated by peers for doing something meaningful.

I’ll read a couple of quotes from our annual survey that was completed recently:

“You all have done a phenomenal job over the pandemic. Super high engagement, lots of love. Just impressed.”  —Betsy S.

“This is a unique committee that I have never seen in a workplace. It is a treasure! Thank you for all the thoughts and hard work that goes behind it.” —Rosemary H.

It certainly takes a team to make this work with all the time it takes to plan and execute events. I’ve really appreciated getting to know other women on the team. It’s been particularly nice to have former Infinite Energy women included in the 2022 Women’s Networking Circle (Gas South acquired Florida-based natural gas provider Infinite Energy in December 2020.)

I’m one of the few Gas South “originals” here since day one—and formerly with Southern Company. It’s been fun to watch the company grow and change over the years. Having affinity groups like the Women’s Networking Circle is becoming more of a need as the employee base grows—going from 60 women at Gas South when the network was started in 2016 to 229 today. You need vehicles for people to connect and get to know each other outside their work team.

What are some of the challenges (if any) that you’ve come across with the Women’s Networking Circle?

The biggest challenge is the time it takes to plan and execute events, write communications and generate engagement. Everyone has a lot on their plate, so all the work you see is a result of women carving out time during and outside office hours to make our offerings successful.

COVID has been a challenge as well. It used to be so easy to have drinks after work set up in the Woo-Hoo Room (so named for an old Gas South ad campaign) and women to show up and participate.  We’ve been creative in devising alternatives, but I’m hoping soon we’ll be able to mix up in-person and virtual.

With this last survey, we collected information on living locations and hobbies so we could encourage smaller get-togethers (we have employees throughout the Atlanta area and in Gainesville, Florida). That might look like the women in Acworth getting together for coffee or for a virtual book club or fitness enthusiasts working out together in Gainesville. I’m excited to see how we can facilitate more engagements throughout the year.

What are the future plans for the group?

We’re planning quarterly touchpoints from each of our subcommittees to create variety and increase the likelihood of participation. Women might not be able to take part in something this month because of their workload, but perhaps that will be different in a few months.

Additionally, our Professional Development Subcommittee is spearheading efforts to design out-of-the-box training for our Customer Care representatives interested in becoming more qualified for specialist and coordinator roles.

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Black history month salute

As we come to the end of Black History Month, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what this time means to us as a company. Gas South has always celebrated diversity, in our own workplace culture, in the communities we serve and throughout the nation. And that’s because we know there’s value in honoring the strengths that make us who we are, collectively. Recognizing the sacrifices, contributions and achievements of Black America is an essential part of the Gas South vision.

Along with that, we’re also proud to help support Black-led non-profit groups with annual donations and volunteer hours. And we’re excited to have formed strong partnerships with Black-owned businesses. Below, you’ll find a few Georgia establishments we’ve been lucky to work with in the last year:


Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta.

Girls Inc. was founded in 1864 in the wake of the Civil War. Headquartered in New York, this national organization advocates on behalf of girls and brings them life-changing programs and experiences. Each year, the Atlanta chapter serves about 500 girls ages 5 to 18, helping them discover their value and strengths and providing support to face challenges ahead. Click here to learn more about this important organization.

100 Black Men of Atlanta.

Headquartered in Atlanta, 100 Black Men has roots that stretch back to 1963, though it was officially established as a national organization in 1986. Today, through its efforts to mentor, educate and provide health and wellness and economic empowerment to children, it’s recognized as the nation’s top mentoring organization led by African Americans. Click here to learn more about the positive impact of 100 Black Men.

Popbar Alpharetta.

Officially opening its doors in 2019, Popbar Alpharetta offers one-of-a-kind, hand-made gelato pops on a stick. If you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, Popbar has 60 plus flavors on the menu—and you can also customize. They even offer vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and Kosher options.

“We wanted to create a place in the community we can all gather to celebrate life's moments, large and small,” says owner Charel Palmer. “Dessert is a unifier, and we believe we all have far more in common than not.”

Popbar Alpharetta is located at 6710 Town Square, Suite 130. They can be reached at 470.294.2910, and you can read more about the company, view their menu and order online at pop-bar.com.

Not As Famous Cookie Company—in Smyrna.

As an artisan bakery on wheels, Not As Famous Cookie Company creates fresh-baked and hand-made gourmet products with only the finest of ingredients: “Hence, the company will make a better cookie!” The Smyrna bakery is located at 1080 Windy Hill Rd. SE #300—in the Shops at Belmont. They can be reached at 678.293.5588, and you can read more about the company, view their menu and order online at notasfamous.com.


We hope you’ll take the time—as a patron, volunteer or customer—to check out some or all of the establishments we’ve highlighted above. And all of us here at Gas South will continue to do our part to “Be A Fuel For Good.”

Louis Negron

In recognition of Black History Month, we caught up with 100 Black Men of Atlanta Executive Director and COO Louis Negron this week to get his perspective on this important annual celebration.

Headquartered in Atlanta, 100 Black Men is a national organization that supports challenged communities through programs designed to positively impact childhood education, public policy and matters related to economic, social and health issues. Gas South has been fortunate to work with and help support this organization during the last year, and we were excited to talk with Louis about Black History Month.

What brought you to 100 Black Men?

I was called to 100 Black Men. I had unfinished business since leaving Atlanta in 2017, and I wanted to come back and invest my gifts and talents in the children and families here.

How long have you been with the organization, and what would you say is the most rewarding aspect of being in your role?

I’ve been with the organization for a year. Seeing the impact we’re making in the lives of the children and families we work with is the most rewarding aspect. But also rebranding “100” as the premier volunteer mentor and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) organization in Atlanta has been rewarding to me.

From your perspective, why is Black History Month important? What do you consider to be the bigger ideas Americans should focus on during this time each year?

Black History Month is important because it allows the nation and world to focus on the amazing contributions of our ancestors to America and the global culture we influence. Black history can’t be held to just one month—it’s a continual celebration. 

I’d love to see America focus on healing from its ills of racism and to grow in love. I quote Howard Thurman: “In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whispers of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.”

Several other countries also celebrate Black History Month. What are your thoughts on the importance of this?

The African Diaspora is a collection of many communities that have a tie to African ancestors, and it’s important we celebrate and embrace our culture and contributions to this world.

Who are your personal top-three, most-revered Black men or women in American History?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, aka Malik el-Shabazz, and my enslaved African ancestors who endured so much for me to be here today.

As the birthplace of Dr. King, do you feel Atlanta has a unique role or voice in leading the advancement and empowerment of Black Americans?

I  believe Atlanta influences everything. And as the birthplace of Dr. King, our city has a major role in leading a social, spiritual and economic venue for people of color.

Any new upcoming projects or initiatives you'd like to mention going on with 100 Black Men?

We’re growing our STEM/STEAM Robotics and Coding programming for our children and families. We’ve also partnered with Google to offer digital literacy for parents and adults. And we’re leading the way to bridge Black and Brown communities with our diversity dialogues.

As a company that strives to “Be A Fuel For Good,” Gas South is proud to help support difference makers like 100 Black Men of Atlanta. Click here to read more about this organization and its efforts.

 

Adjusting Thermostat

Let’s face it. We’ve all been spending more time at home and indoors the last couple of years. And most of us log even more hours as homebodies when the winter winds pick up. Sure, there’s more time to fix squeaky doors and remove dust from bookshelves. But we’re all consuming more energy in the process, which means less money in our pockets. So, with that in mind, here are six ways to save on your energy and natural gas bill this winter.

Keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape

While it’s a good idea to have your HVAC inspected once a year (faulty systems can be dangerous and expensive once they break down), there are several simple things you can do yourself to make sure it’s running smoothly and efficiently.

  • Change or clean your air filters. This needs to be done at least every three months. If not, dust and debris can build up and cause problems. Parts can wear out due to the strain. Your energy use will go up. Your home won’t get as warm, and air quality will go down.
  • Keep your vents clear. HVAC vents can be located in ceilings, walls or floors. You’ll want to make sure none are blocked by curtains, rugs, furniture or other objects. When air is prevented from moving freely, it causes your system to work harder than it should and often keeps temperatures from being distributed evenly throughout your home.
  • Check for leaks in your ductwork. If possible, try to check the ductwork in your attic, crawlspace or basement while the heat is running to see if there are any signs of leaks. Duct joints, where two ducts meet, are common areas where leaks occur. Use your hand to check for escaping air near the joints or seams. If you find a leak, duct tape is a good solution in a pinch, but it’s a good idea to have a technician come out to perform a more permanent fix.

Seal your home’s warmth in

In the U.S., air leakage can account for up to 40% of the energy used to heat (and cool) the average home. Sealing any leaks you might have means you’ll save money, increase comfort levels for you and your family and reduce issues related to cold-weather condensation that can damage your home—when warm air escapes and mixes with cool air inside your walls and attic. In most cases, the cost to seal those leaks is relatively inexpensive compared to what you might lose otherwise.

Common problem areas where heat can escape include windows, doors, attic hatches, edges around dryer vents, HVAC send and return vents, recessed lighting, fixtures, light switches and outlets. Leaks are sometimes obvious—perhaps you feel a draft near a window or notice one room is drastically cooler than another. Others, streaming warm air into your walls and attic, might not be so apparent. Fortunately, there are DIY methods to find leaks—some as easy as lighting a stick of incense and watching the trail of smoke as it drifts near or away from a suspected problem area. Click here for more information about how to check for leaks. Or you can call in a professional energy auditor who can help you determine where leaks might be.

Once you know where the problems are, it’s often relatively easy to resolve the issues. Any home supply store will have the necessary caulks, foams, weatherstripping, gaskets and door sweeps you might need. Click here for a helpful article on sealing leaks.

Insulate your windows

If you’ve got single-pane windows, taking steps to seal around the edges with caulking or new weatherstripping may not be enough to keep the cold at bay. If you’re not looking to make the investment in new, more energy-efficient double- or triple-pane windows—or maybe you can’t because you’re a renter—then consider purchasing one or more of the many types of window coverings available on the market.

From insulated shades and curtains, window quilts and films to exterior shutters, awnings and storm windows, you’ve got lots of options that can increase the insulating capacity of your windows. Click here for a helpful article on some of these options.

Choose a fixed rate for your natural gas

The natural gas market is hard to predict, and prices have been trending upward everywhere this season, which can be expensive if you’re using natural gas to heat your home. 

Gas South can ease that burden with a low fixed rate that keeps your bill stable and secure. Sign up now online or over the phone and lock in a rate for 12 or 24 months. Joining is quick and easy, and we’ll handle all the details to get you set up. Plus, we never charge a deposit—keeping up to $150 in your pocket. 

Or try Gas South’s OnePrice Plan™. It’s one flat, monthly payment that makes paying your bill simple and straightforward—also available in 12- or 24-month plans. You’ll gain peace of mind knowing you’ll pay the same amount every month regardless of usage. 

Adjust your water heater

It’s tempting to turn the temperature on your water heater up in the winter, but we suggest turning it down a little—even a degree or two can make a difference in the amount of energy it’s using to heat water. If yours is set at the 140-degree mark the factory sent it out at when it was new, try bumping it down to 120 degrees—most water heaters have a dial that can easily be turned up or down. This can typically mean a cost savings of between 6% and 10%, and 120 degrees still feels warm.

Additionally, if your tank runs on electricity, consider insulating it to help preserve the warmth it produces. Extra insulation does little for gas-heated tanks, but it can cut heat loss by up to 45% in some cases for electrically heated models. This can save you big on your energy consumption—up to 16%, according to experts.

Several manufacturers sell pre-cut water heater jackets or blankets, which can be purchased for as little as $20 at your local home supply store. Just be sure to check with your local utility and municipal codes department. Some have special regulations for insulating water heater tanks.

Turn your thermostat down

We saved the most-obvious energy saver for last: adjusting your thermostat. It’s a decades-old solution touted everywhere—and for good reason. On average, most save about 1% on their energy bill for every degree they turn their thermostats down, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That can add up to big savings fast. You can adjust it manually, or, if you don’t already have one, purchase a smart thermostat that’s designed to help save you money by automatically adjusting the temperature when you’re gone or asleep at night—when you’re less likely to notice a slight drop.

You can also try wearing warmer clothes inside if you’d like the temperatures to be lower during the waking hours. Or try using a space heater in rooms where you or your family gather most. Experts recommend turning your thermostat down by at least 5 degrees to offset the use of a space heater so you can save money.

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Gas South employees volunteering time at a local food shelter

Gas South prides itself on being a company that makes a difference. Each year, as part of our commitment to give 5% of profits to help children in need, we give hundreds of thousands of dollars to various organizations in the communities we serve. And we’ve logged thousands of volunteer hours with these groups. We know giving back is the best way to build a better world, and there are lots of ways to do that.

This year, in honor of Giving Tuesday, we thought it would be fun to share six simple ways that anyone can give back. We hope they help inspire the giving side of your nature.

Look out for your neighbors.

It’s often said that good fences make good neighbors, but lending a hand works even better. Does a neighbor of yours need help with yard work or picking up groceries? Or perhaps they could use a babysitter for a few hours or help walking their dog. Maybe they just need a good home-cooked meal. Take a few moments out of your day to check in with them. Even if they don’t need any help, your offer alone will make a difference. 

Practice random acts of kindness.

Each day, there are lots of opportunities to do nice things, even for people you don’t know. Next time you’re at a drive thru window picking up a meal, consider paying for the meal of the customers in line behind you. Kindness is infectious, and it’s likely that person will go on to do something nice for some other person later that day.

Put in the time.

Your time is one of the most valuable things you have to offer. And no matter where you are, there’s no shortage of organizations that need volunteers—there are even opportunities to volunteer remotely, if that’s more your speed. If you need a little help getting started, check out VolunteerMatch.

Send love in a letter.

You might not be old enough to remember how good it feels to get a handwritten letter in the mail. But the personal touch of a handwritten message can make a world of difference, especially during the holiday season. Here a few letter-writing campaign groups to help you get started:

Make a difference while you shop.

While you’re searching for your holiday gifts online this year, consider making your purchases through AmazonSmile. Through a separate portal on Amazon, It offers all the same items and benefits, but Amazon contributes a percentage of the purchase price to the charity of your choice.

Donate directly.

There are thousands of great charities out there in need of funding, though it can be daunting when trying to choose. If you’re in the mood to donate and need a little help making a decision on who to give to, we’ve included a few of the great organizations below that Gas South gives back to each year.

  • United Way—United Way focuses on advancing the common good in communities throughout the world through education, income and health. Donors can give back to specific locations in their communities or throughout the world Click here to learn more or donate online.
  • Salvation Army—The Salvation Army helps meet the needs of about 30 million Americans each year, providing assistance with homelessness, food, disaster relief, rehabilitation, counseling and after-school care. Their charity is set up so contributors can donate locally, if preferred. Click here to learn more or donate online.
  • The Society of St. Vincent de Paul—St. Vincent de Paul helps provide services locally and worldwide to the poor, suffering and the deprived. They help with rent, utilities, food and clothing. Click here to donate.
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Hispanic women wearing a green shirt and glasses being honored for Hispanic Heritage Month.

In this week’s blog, we’re spotlighting our very own Valentina Betancur in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month—celebrated September 15 to October 15. Valentina started her position as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator in March, and we were excited to catch up with her about her job here at Gas South. 

Valentina, can you tell me a little about your background? Where are you from? What did you study in college and why? 

It can sometimes be hard to answer that question as an immigrant because I consider myself “from” a lot of places. I was born in Medellín, Colombia, but moved with my family to Jacksonville, Florida, when I was 4 years old, and I grew up there. I do consider Jacksonville to be my hometown.  

After I graduated high school, I moved to Gainesville to study at the University of Florida where I majored in both Economics and International Studies. I minored in both International Development & Humanitarian Assistance and Food & Resource Economics. It’s a mouthful, I know. 

Growing up in Jacksonville had a big impact on what I studied in college and why I’m in the role I’m in today. I grew up in a low-income area with an ethnically diverse population. I had friends from all types of backgrounds with experiences vastly different from mine, so I grew up listening and understanding other people’s stories, their points of view and how their pasts affected their futures. Growing up in that environment planted the seed for what I would spend my college years and my career doing. 

How do you spend your free time when you’re not at work—any hobbies or hidden talents?

My favorite thing to do is to explore different cultures through food. I love expanding my palate and trying foods I would never have considered years ago.  

Apart from that, I have a Russian Blue cat named Vlad who is very demanding of cuddles, and I have a small garden I try to keep alive as much as I can. 

Can you tell me a little about your role here at Gas South? 

I’m one of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Coordinators (DEI) here at Gas South. I have a hand in most of the projects my team oversees. One of the most important parts of my job is to help ensure employees feel seen, heard and valued. Part of that means we must acknowledge that we all come from different backgrounds and celebrate those differences while creating space for conversation on how we can support and advocate for one another. 

Another part of my job involves working with the team to constantly review our company practices. If there’s an opportunity to make a policy or procedure more equitable for all, we’re the team that works to make that happen. Mentorship programs are a good example of this. Some—like a program we’re currently working on—can provide new skill development opportunities for otherwise underrepresented employees seeking higher-level roles. 

 What aspects do you enjoy most about your job and about working here? 

The people are, without contest, the most enjoyable part of my job. Not only has everyone made me feel welcome since my first day at Gas South, but we often have challenging group conversations working in DEI about social issues that affect different communities. Every time we host these conversations, they’ve been successful, and that success is primarily due to the willingness of the people involved to be respectful yet honest. The people at Gas South not only help me feel comfortable, but they also help me be effective in my role. 

As you know, we’re celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month right now. What does this time mean to you? 

Hispanic Heritage Month for me is a time of pride and reflection. I’m proud of the accomplishments and contributions Latinos and those of Hispanic heritage have made in the United States. I truly believe our contributions have made this country a more equitable and fair place for all. It’s something I not only take pride in but also use as inspiration. I reflect on the challenges the Hispanic community has faced and overcome. I also reflect on the struggles the Hispanic and Latino community faces internally. For example, this month our team is hosting a conversation around colorism and how it continues to impact this community. 

What’s the one accomplishment you’re most proud of since you started here? Why?

My proudest moment so far has been the community conversation that we had regarding Juneteenth. It wasn’t something I accomplished by myself. It was a group effort I’m glad to have been a part of. There were so many of my colleagues who attended who were willing to speak candidly about their emotions regarding Juneteenth and its history. It was a moment where many of us let down our guard to try and understand each other.  

What advice would you give to young Latino professionals who are starting their careers?

My piece of advice is to be as authentic and true to yourself and your culture as you can. I believe many people, including myself, begin their careers thinking they need to conform to a certain mold to be taken seriously. I’ve realized that’s not the case at all because it’s your uniqueness that helps you succeed. When we bring our whole selves to work, including our culture and background, we can provide a different perspective that your team may not have had before. Authenticity is very valuable. 

What Latino traditions or customs do you incorporate in your daily life or even professional life?

I’m not sure if these are qualities that are specific to the Latino and Hispanic culture, but I along with the rest of my immediate family are Colombian immigrants. The adversity that we’ve had to face immigrating and establishing ourselves in this country has taught me to be humble, empathetic and compassionate in any situation I am in. I bring these traits with me to the workplace as well, and it has helped me understand others and work well with them.  

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Summer break is over, and that has all of us here at Gas South excited about the upcoming school year. As a company that strives to "Be A Fuel For Good,” we’re committed to giving 5% of our profits to support children in need. And part of that support goes to childhood education in the communities we serve.

A few upcoming projects we're excited about include a partnership with our parent company, Cobb EMC. Together, we’re giving $17,000 this year to help expand STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning in Georgia’s Cherokee County.

Dr. Erin Jacobs, the curriculum coordinator for STEM science with the Cherokee County School District, said, “STEM in Cherokee County School District is all about Students and Teachers Energizing Minds! In order to meet the demands of the dynamic, evolving and increasingly competitive world, our goal is to develop STEM-literate graduates equipped to seek out creative solutions to real-world problems. Our STEM programming focuses on authentic opportunities for students to experience interactive and immersive challenges that address global issues. We are grateful for Cobb EMC/Gas South’s continued support of our STEM programs and competitions. Our partnership continues to benefit the students in our district with increased opportunities in STEM.”

The money will go to three STEM projects: an essay contest, Lego building and Solar Cars. The essay contest involves Cherokee County’s seven middle schools and five STEM-focused elementary schools. Each school will have 10 winners, writing on the importance of STEM. For the Lego building, students from 23 schools will show off and compete with their building and design skills at a Lego build-off during the Cherokee Science Olympiad. And for the third project, Solar Cars, students from Woodstock High School will team up with elementary students from 14 other schools to build and race small solar vehicles. Jacobs said this project will impact about 300 students. 

Solar cars provided by Gas South

We’re also giving a total of $60,000 in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) grants this year to Georgia and Florida public schools that previously received support from Infinite Energy. When Gas South acquired Infinite Energy in December, we knew the company was a good fit for Gas South because we aligned in our commitment to customers, company culture and our drive to make a difference in the communities we serve. Like Gas South, Infinite Energy's community involvement focused heavily on supporting children in need, so we knew the acquisition was a great opportunity for us to expand our efforts. 

As part of that expansion, we’re pleased to announce our support this year includes continuing the STEAM grants Infinite Energy awarded each year to public schools in Gwinnett County, Georgia. We’ve sponsored the Gas South STEAM Lab at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for years, so we’re thrilled to add the Gwinnett projects to our ongoing list of giving back. In August, we’ll officially present $50,000 to six schools there for the STEAM projects they’ve developed. 

Gas South is also continuing to fund the robotics program in Alachua County, Florida, where we now have an office. Under the program, students at different schools in the county design and build their own robots. Then students compete with their robots at the local, state and national levels. We’re giving these schools $10,000 this year to support this effort and help inspire these students.

Gas South is committed to making the future a better place. From giving 5% of our profits to support children in need—a total of more than $1.5 million in 2021—to our commitment to invest $50 million in solar projects by the end of 2023, we’re driven to make a difference in the communities we serve and building a more sustainable future. Thank you to all the children and educators who work so hard at school each year. And keep an eye out for future Gas South blogs and social media posts as we follow the progress of these bright students and their projects in the upcoming months—and years—ahead. 

For more on how Gas South is giving back and making a difference, take a look at our annual reports from previous years. 

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Gas South's Blog

Summer’s finally upon us, bringing school kids throughout Georgia a welcome reprieve from hours of studying and homework assignments. But while the break is great to help recharge their academic batteries, the lack of schooling for a few months can often set kids behind—what some have come to call the summer slide. So if you’ve been wondering what you can do this summer to keep your kids on track, we’ve got some fun educational ideas that you can try at home or around the City of Atlanta. Here are six ways to keep kids excited about learning this summer. 

Stay sharp with a math scavenger hunt. 
When you think about it, math is all around us all the time. Whether you’re indoors, driving through traffic or enjoying the fresh air at your favorite park, the world is always presenting itself in mathematical terms, be it shapes, distances, times or amounts. A math scavenger hunt is a simple way to harness your surroundings for a fun learning experience. 

For young children, try giving them a list of shapes they can find in their environment and then have them draw those objects on a sheet of paper. For instance, what things are circles? Can they draw three examples? How many things look like triangles, squares, cones and cylinders? With a little creativity, this idea can be adapted for older students as well, using measurement or even having them discover clues after solving simple equations. And it’s a great way for them to tie math to the real world. If you need a hand getting started, here are a few helpful links for inspiration: 

Investigate the science of animals—in person or virtually. 
Science is often a popular topic with kids, especially when it involves learning about the secretive ways of animals. Zoo Atlanta’s Survival Safari offers just that: an evening of team challenges, scavenger hunts and other interactive activities focused on the habits of nocturnal animals. Programs run throughout the summer from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. —reservations are required. 

If you can’t make it out to the zoo, try hopping online and checking out Zoo Atlanta’s PandaCam for a candid look at the fascinating lives of giant panda bears. The zoo’s website also features regular blog updates on the pandas, as well as general information on the bears’ habits and biology. 

If you’re more into ocean ecology, take your kids on a trip to the Georgia Aquarium, also located in Atlanta. From sharks and dolphins to sea lions and stingrays, you and your kids will be amazed at the up-close encounters the Georgia Aquarium offers. Or take a virtual tour, for an experience less intense. Like Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium features live webcam footage of some of its creatures. 
 
Explore creativity, organizational skills and feelings through writing. 
Whether you’ve got a kindergartner or a first-year high school student, writing is a crucial skill that always needs to be worked on. Summer breaks present a unique opportunity for kids to hone this craft, which they’ll use for the rest of their lives in one form or another. But they might need a little encouragement. 

If you’re planning a trip, try having them write an agenda for a day’s activities. Or better yet, inspire them to journal about their experiences of the trip—what they saw and learned, who they met and how it made them feel. Summer is also a great time to establish pen-pals, whether writing emails to friends they miss over the break or even traditional mailed letters to family members they don’t see often. If your kids are feeling adventurous, they can even reach out to other kids they don’t know in different parts of the world—click here for a few resources to help kids connect. 

Dig into the nature of plant biology. 
Mother nature is one of our best teachers. And plants are some of her best tools when it comes to learning. For a fun flora adventure, take your kids to Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Lou Glenn Children’s Garden. The Children’s Garden, which features an array of beautiful plant life, regularly holds educational music performances, interactive learning activities, summer camps and other botanical activities. It opens at 9 a.m. and closes at dusk, Tuesday – Sunday. 

If you’re looking for a more long-term experience, try starting a garden with your child. It will help them learn more about the wonderful world of plants—how we’re dependent upon them for food and why they’re essential to the health of the planet’s ecology. Click here for a helpful article on the topic. 

Encourage and inspire them to keep reading. 
Reading is, perhaps, the most important skill to master for children, as it’s needed to learn about all the other exciting subjects taught in school. Kids are often assigned summer reading, especially as they get older, but the extra free time during summer break can give them a chance to explore specific topics they’re interested in. Not every child is a fan of fiction, after all. Some may prefer reading books and articles that teach them facts about science, history and art. 

If your child is still in the early reading stages, take time to read with them. And talk about what you’ve read—it’s even helpful to act out various stories and scenes. If you need a little help from the pros, check out your local public library. Most have summer reading programs designed for different age ranges. And don’t forget the myriad of online resources available today. We’ve put together a few that might help: 

Delve into Georgia’s natural history. 
Georgia has countless natural history sites to explore and learn about, but one of our favorites is Okefenokee Swamp Park, located in Waycross, Georgia. As one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems, the Okefenokee Swamp offers a rich experience of America’s natural heritage. Visitors can see alligators, turtles, woodpeckers, storks and even the rare and endangered indigo snake—to name but a few—in their natural habitats. The Okefenokee Swamp Park, open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., features wilderness trails, boat tours, wildlife shows and short train tours of a pioneer family homestead. 

As a company that gives 5% back to support children in the communities we serve, we’re proud to offer even more support through helpful resources and ideas. We hope this blog helps inspire you this summer. 

The Hot Spot
Gas South's Blog
man cooking hot dogs on gas grill

How to Clean Your Gas Grill

Proper gas grill maintenance involves more than just scraping excess food or grease. It's about looking "under the hood" to spot any issues (before they become bigger issues). More importantly, it's about making sure the food you're serving to family and friends is safe and delicious.

Luckily, caring for natural gas grills and fireplaces is pretty simple. So if it's been a while since you thoroughly cleaned yours, here's where to start.

Deep Cleaning Your Gas Grill

 

What you’ll need:

  • A grill brush
  • A bamboo skewer, toothpick, or paperclip
  • A bucket of soapy water
  • A bucket to catch debris
  • A sponge (that you don't mind throwing away)
  • A towel or rag

Optional supplies:

  • Bottle brush or wire coat hanger
  • Steel wool pads
  • Wet-dry vac

Estimated cleaning time:

  • 30 minutes

Steps for Cleaning Your Gas Grill

  1. First, check the inside of your grill and wipe away any debris that may have collected while it was in storage. Cobwebs tend to flare up when they ignite, so keep an eye out for those.
  2. Let the grill run on high heat for 5 to 10 minutes. After the grill is hot, turn off the gas and scrape the grate with your brush to remove food particles.
  3. Once the grill is completely cool, you can remove the grates for an even deeper clean. Most people brush down their grates lightly before grilling, but occasionally they need to be cleaned with a bit more force to remove stubborn bits of food. Use the metal scraper on your brush, if necessary. Some people like to scrub the grates down with some soapy water to get them extra clean, while others prefer a brush-only approach to let the grill naturally "season."
  4. It may not have occurred to you to check inside the lid, but loose bits and splattered grease can collect there, too. So while this part of the grill doesn't need as much attention, it's a good idea to scrape it down (after all, you don't want anything falling on your food).
  5. Now you'll want to check the burner tubes since clogs or corrosion inside the tubes can snuff out sections of the burner flame, preventing food from cooking evenly. With the gas or tank turned off, remove the cooking grates and heat deflector plates ("flame tamers"). Clean off any spills on the burner tubes with a wire brush, then clear any blocked holes using a toothpick, skewer, or the end of a paper clip. You can also remove the tubes and run a bottle brush or straightened wire coat hanger through the center to loosen any remaining debris.
  6. Grab your soapy water and sponge and give the heat deflector plates a thorough scrub. You'll be surprised at the difference after all that grime comes off. If you've removed your burner tubes, you can wash those in soapy water as well—or just use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe them clean. Make sure to thoroughly towel dry the tubes and gas ports before putting them back on the grill.
    • Instead of dish soap, some prefer to use a homemade cleaning solution of water, vinegar, and baking soda. If you opt for this method, spray the heat deflectors down with the solution and let them soak while you complete the next step. For an extra deep clean, wipe them down with steel wool after they've soaked for a few minutes.
  7. Because most grime ends up at the bottom of the grill, you'll want to spend some time there, too. Some of the char will be next to impossible to get off (even with soapy water), so you can just use your grill brush to remove the large pieces of debris. Some grills have removable bottom trays that slide right out, making this part of the job easier. Take your grill brush (or maybe a smaller brush) to clean the hard-to-reach areas on the sides. Scoop the debris into your bucket or use a wet-dry vac to remove it.
  8. Finally, give the outside of your grill a wipe-down using some cleaning solution and a paper towel. Don't use scouring pads on the outside of the grill since those can leave scratch marks (especially on stainless steel). You can also wipe down the storage area underneath the grill.
  9. Heat the grill again on high for around 10 or 15 minutes to evaporate any remaining moisture or cleaning solution. Once it's cool, put the cover on. You're ready for another successful grilling season!

Pro Tips on Cleaning Your Gas Grill

 

When in doubt, check the manufacturer’s instructions. While there are many different methods of cleaning gas grills, make sure to follow the maintenance procedures listed in your instruction manual so you don't accidentally void your warranty.

Work from top to bottom. This way, as particles of debris fall into the grill, you only have to clean out the bottom once.

Don’t use harsh chemicals. After all, this is where you're going to be cooking your food. A grill brush and soapy water should work just fine; for stubborn bits, just use some steel wool.

Do a quick inspection. While you're cleaning and taking apart the grill, it's a good time to check your burners for rust marks or large holes (which could mean it's time to replace them).

It doesn’t have to look brand new. Even after you've deep cleaned the grill, it's not going to look like it just came out of the showroom. That's perfectly fine! If you clean it and maintain it regularly, you should expect many years of fun barbecues and great-tasting food.

How Often to Clean Your Gas Grill

The average person only needs to deep clean their gas grill following the steps described above 1 or 2 times per year, depending on how heavily you use your grill. However, for everyday cleaning purposes, treat it similarly to your kitchen stove. Experts recommend giving it a good scrub with your brush after each use.

Once per week, let the grill run on high for about 15 minutes to burn off excess grime.

How to Maintain Your Gas Grill

Besides regular cleaning, there are a few things you should do to keep your grill in top condition and maximize its lifespan.

First of all, keep the grill covered when it's not in use. It may seem like a no-brainer, but this prevents it from rusting and helps keep it clean. If your grill isn't in a covered area, it's worth investing in a cover from the manufacturer.

You'll also want to check the gas line about once per month. This process is easy: simply run some soapy water along the gas line and connections while the gas is turned on. If any bubbles form, that indicates a leak. You'll want to tighten the connection or replace the line.

When in Doubt, Contact a Professional

The gas grill maintenance steps above may feel intimidating. Fortunately, most manufacturers and contractors offer customer support and warranties to give you peace of mind. For gas grill troubleshooting (and to ensure you're cleaning it correctly), check your owner's manual or contact your manufacturer.

Now that you’re ready to give your gas grill or a good cleaning, what are you planning on cooking up?

To close out Women’s History Month we are proud to highlight our newest addition to Gas South’s Executive Leadership Team, Stacy Paez, Chief Legal and People Officer.    

Stacy Paez

Before joining Gas South, Stacy served as General Counsel, and the VP of Legal and HR at Infinite Energy. She has held a number of roles since joining Infinite Energy in 2009 including, Corporate Counsel, HR Manager and Executive Director of Human Resources. 
 
Originally from rural Pennsylvania, Stacy moved to Florida to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree at Flagler College in St. Augustine and later attended law school at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Stacy is now married with a son and a daughter. 
 
In her free time, Stacy has been revisiting childhood joys by enjoying a variety of experiences with her children, including museums, parks, hiking, the beach, creating “art”, and ziplining in the backyard. During Covid-19, she’s added creating a pre-K curriculum to her household resume. She loves to find humor in all aspects of life, which has proven to be an excellent survival tool for her when social distancing with a mischievous preschooler. 

“I’m fortunate to work at Gas South, where women are represented at all levels. The culture at Gas South is already well-regarded throughout the industry, and I look forward to continuing and furthering that legacy.” – Stacy Paez 

Gas South proudly welcomes Stacy, not only with her breadth of knowledge and experience in the workplace but also her ability to recognize the need for women in leadership roles is invaluable. We are so excited to continue to put in the work and demonstrate what it means to “Be a Fuel for Good”

Nana Grants logo

Gas South is proud to support the communities we serve by donating 5% of profits to children in need as part of our purpose to Be A Fuel For Good. In honor of Women’s History Month, we are excited to highlight local Gas South partners like Nana Grants where we donated $20,000 this month to provide full-time, after and before school childcare funding for low-income, single student mothers attending school. 

“Our goal is to eliminate the financial barrier of childcare so that a student mother can focus on her studies, graduate, and begin a rewarding, well-compensated career that launches herself and her child out of the cycle of generational poverty for good.” 

 Erica Stephens, Founder and Executive Director, Nana Grants

Nana Grant's recipients

Gas South has partnered with Nana Grants since 2019, and proudly provided support for the following accomplishments:  

  • 32 Student Mothers Supported Since 2016 
  • 10 Degrees Earned Since 2016 
  • 23 Current Grant Recipients 
  • 35 Children Currently Receiving Child Care 
  • $135,858 worth of Nana Grants currently being distributed 

With more than 40% of Georgia’s low-income families led by a single mother, overcoming poverty through education is limited due to the lack of continuous, quality childcare. In 2020, Gas South made it possible for twelve women across the state of Georgia to cover childcare costs for one year while they worked on their college degrees. We have been proud to partner with Nana Grants and we’re excited to continue to support in building a better future for low-income single mothers pursuing an education and their children. 

To learn more about Nana Grants and for more information on how to donate, please click here

At Gas South, our purpose is to “Be a Fuel for Good,” which is why we believe in equitable education for all children. In 2020, we had the opportunity to partner with Next Generation Men and Women (Next Gen), a local Atlanta non-profit that helps minority youth excel in education.

Through an exposure experience, we gave students the opportunity to step into the role of a senior level Gas South employee to learn about how to heal the negative effects the pandemic can have within the workplace. The students were able to gain real world experience, while learning how to increase employee productivity and make great networking connections.  

Gas South’s Community Affairs Coordinator Aulona Graham-Simms asked Next Gen’s Executive Director, Phil Olaleye questions about the importance of their work and what a truly equitable Atlanta should look like for all kids to be successful. Check out highlights from the interview below. 

Aulona Graham-Simms, Gas South: Tell us about yourself and Next Generation Men & Women 

Phil Olaleye, Next Gen: Opportunity is a part of my personal and professional journey. Growing up in Stone Mountain, the son of Nigerian and Colombian immigrants, I traveled almost two hours, taking two buses one-way, just to attend a quality public school. It was this experience that underscored the power of education and how it can help a young person rise above his circumstances. It also affirmed how unequal access to a quality education and opportunity is for low-income, Black youth. I went on to study Public Policy at Duke University and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and have dedicated my career to supporting youth, workers, and families through service in the United States Peace Corps and leadership roles with the City of Atlanta and now Next Generation Men & Women (Next Gen). 

Next Gen addresses racial inequities in education by closing the same opportunity gap that stood in the way of my future success years ago. We partner with under-resourced high schools to create student cohorts that begin in the 9th grade and remain together until graduation. Teachers and College Mentors guide students through a curriculum rooted in personal identity, post-secondary exploration, professional & leadership development, and college & career planning. Cohorts meet twice a week, after school, and take monthly trips to local colleges and companies to engage with different careers and professionals. Currently, we serve 300 students (100% Black and brown) across 5 high schools in Atlanta Public (Carver STEAM, Maynard Jackson, South Atlanta) and Fulton County (Banneker, Creekside) School districts and partner with 65+ local companies and colleges.  

AGS: What brought you to this particular work and why is it important? 

PO: As a Black man, whose life was transformed by education and mentorship, this work is personal. There’s no better investment than in our young people. I’m blessed to see their talent and gifts on display each and every day. Our students are beautiful and inspiring. However, too many Black youth in Atlanta are victim to economic hardship and structural racism. Real opportunity should not be determined by race, class or where you call home. All young people deserve the best that we have to offer. Unfortunately, we are falling short — especially for our Black youth.  

This reality gives way to the worst outcome for any young person: a loss of excitement and hope for what’s ahead in life. Once that belief is gone, it’s hard to recover, graduate and find success in career and future plans. We can break the cycle of poverty gripping our Black youth and families by restoring systems that provide real, quality educational opportunity. The gap between affluent and low-income youth, in terms of educational enrichment and support, is too wide — and we’re losing our most precious asset in the process — our youth.    

Members of Next Gen pose with a sign for Morehouse College

AGS: Your organization sits at the intersection of many equity issues: Race, public education, college preparedness and the opportunity gap. How does Next Gen’s model help provide solutions for students dealing with these inequities? 

PO: The state of Education is a microcosm of the world we live in. The equity challenges facing our students, educators and families — poverty, race, opportunity — can’t be solved alone and in a vacuum. Solutions require compassion, collective impact and enough resources to reverse decades of hardship and pain. Our program model understands that it takes more than college and career planning or culturally relevant curriculum to create student buy-in and excitement regarding their future. Seeing is believing. Similarly, visiting different workplaces and college campuses grows a student’s imagination and belief, but doesn’t provide support and resources necessary to develop socially and emotionally, and execute a plan toward achieving one’s goals after high school. 

One person or one approach alone can’t realistically help students triage the many inequities that make their development and success so challenging. So, our model literally builds a locally sourced and diverse community in support of Atlanta youth, including: families, educators, college students, professionals, colleges and companies. We call it our “Village”, taking after the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child”. And through four years of exposure, mentorship, and support, students develop a stronger sense of self, set informed goals, and build the skills and agency necessary to be successful after high school — college and career.  

AGS: Purpose driven work can be rewarding and taxing at the same time. Where do you personally draw your strength and inspiration from? 

PO: My father instilled a work ethic and drive to never settle. My mother opened my mind and heart to the world to be curious and kind. My guidance counselor and Ms. Brenda saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. They both are responsible for planting the seed to apply to Duke and walking me through the application on the submission date with a few minutes to spare. Perla and Edwin, my Peace Corps supervisors, showed me what it was like to lead decisively with heart and value community voice. My siblings, friends and partner Sabrina are patient and supportive in more ways than I can count. My Next Gen team goes hard every single day, to create real on-ramps to opportunity for the youth we serve. We’re not just building community here in Atlanta, but a model to replicate in other parts of the country where a lack of opportunity is holding back youth and communities from thriving. My “why” is clear and my “village” keeps me grounded and moving forward. 

AGS: In 100 years, what do you hope is true about the City of Atlanta and the students who are educated here?  

PO: I hope that every child born and raised in Atlanta has a clear path to a quality education, opportunity, and support. Atlanta is not a small legacy — this is a big legacy city and we need to raise the level of expectations. We have more than enough resources and talented women and men calling Atlanta home who can answer the call. But too many people feel like we’re not aiming high enough or aren’t in this fight together. We can do this. We can deliver on our great promise. But it can’t be done alone. It requires all of us to expect more and do more — especially those in a position of power. If we get this right, we can unleash a world of unimaginable benefits for our City, State and World. 

For more information about Next Gen and the different opportunities to give back and get involved, please visit their website.

The Hot Spot
Gas South's Blog
couch with coffee table and plants on the table

There’s no question indoor plants can brighten up a room. But It’s not quite the same effect if they’re wilting, drooping, yellowing, or otherwise just not thriving.

If you think your plants could use some additional TLC, try these tips:

Don’t treat all your plants the same

Different plants have different needs when it comes to sunlight, water and maintenance.

Most plants do well in bright, indirect light (such as near a window, but without actually being in the sun). Some do better with moderate or low light, and some may even need more direct light. No matter what kind of light they need, consider rotating your plants every 2-3 months so that all sides get similar light exposure.

It also helps to put your plants on different watering schedules. Plants that naturally grow in a desert environment, such as cacti or succulents, won’t need as much water as tropical plants. In general, plants with thicker leaves need less water, while plants with thinner leaves need more.

And while some plants are finicky and need specific care, a lot will suffer if they’re moved or fussed with too much.

Get the right plant for your environment

The other half of the battle is getting the right plant for your home in the first place. For example, if your space has low lighting, you wouldn’t want to get a plant that needs a lot of direct light.

If you don’t exactly have a green thumb, go for low-maintenance plants. Check out these resilient varieties, and pick the best ones for your care style.

And if you have pets, make sure you pick a plant that’s safe for them. Many common plants can be toxic to cats and dogs. In some cases, the animal doesn’t even need to be in contact with the plant—even airborne particles can be dangerous.

The ASPCA has compiled a list of plants to avoid so you can check if any of your houseplants pose a problem for your furry friends.

Or, if you’re just starting the hunt for the perfect plant, here’s a list of some pet-friendly options.

Make sure they’re getting enough air

Even turning on a ceiling fan regularly helps. Proper ventilation helps clear out air pollutants, keeping you and your plants healthy. Excessive dampness is also a big killer for houseplants, as it can lead to fungal disease and rot. Good airflow helps extra water evaporate from your plant quickly.

Airflow also helps the surface of leaves stay clean, which in turn keeps the plant healthier. If you see the leaves looking white or dusty, wipe them down gently with a cloth.

And don’t keep the plant too close to a corner or wall—this makes it harder for those back parts of the plants to get sufficient air.

Don’t forget about the roots

Healthy roots are essential for a healthy plant.

As your plant grows, the root system grows as well. If this becomes too crowded, it won’t be able take in the water and nutrients it needs.

Plants usually need to be repotted every 12-18 months. Sometimes, they don’t even need a new container—just new soil with fresh nutrients.

Look for these signs your plant needs to be repotted:

  • Plant becoming top-heavy or easily tipped
  • Roots coming up through the soil or through the drainage holes
  • Soil level going down in the pot
  • Salt/mineral buildup
  • Slow or stagnant growth

If you see any of these, it’s time to repot. But if you can repot on your own schedule, plants do best when repotted in the spring. That’s because that’s  typically when roots are growing, so they’ll be able to expand into the new soil right away,

Last, make sure you get the right soil for your type of houseplant. While you always want to use a mix intended for potted plants, rather than a garden soil, you also want to pay attention to the soil composition. As with everything else, some plants thrive more in one type of soil than others.

With the right houseplant for your lifestyle and a solid maintenance schedule, you can enjoy your plants for years to come.

The Hot Spot
Gas South's Blog

On December 18th, 2020 Gas South announced the closing of its acquisition deal of Infinite Energy. The acquisition will expand Gas South’s customer base to over 425,000 residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers throughout the southeastern U.S. 

Gas South acquired Infinite Energy’s wholesale and retail natural gas business and customer list, located primarily in Georgia and Florida. The primary headquarters will remain in Atlanta, but the company expects to retain a presence in Gainesville, Fl., where Infinite was founded in 1994 by co-CEOs Darin Cook and Rich Blaser. 

Gas South and Infinite share strong values such as keeping customers first and valuing a culture of excellence throughout the company. Together, the companies are unified as leaders, collaborators, innovators, teammates, friends and family.  

“We knew from our first meeting with Darin and Rich that Infinite Energy would be an outstanding fit for Gas South, thanks to the quality of services they provide and the enviable culture they’ve created,” said Kevin Greiner, Gas South’s President and CEO.  

This acquisition is  an exciting adventure for the Gas South family to join with Infinite Energy to become the largest natural gas provider in the Southeast. Together, the two companies will become one Gas South achieving more with their shared people first cultures and complementary business competencies. 

For access to the full press release please click here

The Hot Spot
Gas South's Blog

Gas South is proud to partner with Sunshine on a Ranney Day to give Alejandro a brand new, accessible bedroom and bathroom so that he can have some independence and mobility, as well as give his family some peace of mind.

Alejandro and his family pose together for Sunshine on a Ranney Day

In Gas South’s efforts to “Be a Fuel for Good” and to make a significant and distinct difference for several non-profits, Impact Investments of $50,000 were awarded to six organizations. Non-profit organizations were invited to apply for the funding, and a team of Gas South employees helped narrow down the entries. In 2019, Gas South awarded Sunshine on a Ranney Day with one of the Impact Investments. Sunshine on a Ranney Day renovates homes for children with special needs, and through this year’s investment, Gas South was able to support 16-year-old Alejandro and his family. Alejandro was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was just six years old. He is in a wheelchair and needed a new accessible bedroom and bathroom.  

From the makeover, Alejandro and his brother are no longer sharing a bed. Alejandro can now reach his own clothing in his closet, roll under an accessible vanity, reach the faucet and brush his own teeth and easily maneuver his wheelchair around his room thanks to the new hard surface flooring. Most importantly, Alejandro, can now shower independently! 

Due to limitations surrounding COVID-19 and wanting to keep Alejandro and his family safe, the Sunshine team decided for the reveal to happen over Facebook Live. To watch the reveal and reaction of Alejandro and his family, please visit Sunshine on a Ranney Day’s Facebook page

It might not be convenient scheduling a maintenance visit from your local heating and cooling contractor. And it might cost you a little money up front. But experts recommend doing this at least once a year, so we thought we’d take a few minutes to let you know why. Here are three reason to get your heating and cooling system checked on a regular basis:

Save, Save, Save

The harder your A/C and heating system has to work, the more it’s going to cost to operate. Preventative maintenance can ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 30% on your heating and cooling expenses by keeping your system in tip-top shape.

But it’s not just your energy bill that you can save on. Regular maintenance can help prevent costly breakdowns or having to buy an entirely new system. And if your HVAC system is under warranty, you may even be required to get regular tune-ups as a condition of the guarantee—read through yours to find out.

Additionally, If you sign up for a regular maintenance plan with a local heating and cooling contractor, you might even get extra benefits such as priority service, discounted parts and labor, and regular maintenance reminders. Click here for some tips on how to choose a contractor.

And, if you haven’t already, consider checking with your area’s utility company. Many offer free or discounted yearly tune-ups you’ll want to take advantage of.

Boost Safety and Comfort

Generally speaking, air quality indoors isn’t as good as the air outside. The EPA reports that airborne pollutants are typically up to five times higher inside. This can be attributed to a number of causes—dust, mold, pollen and even gasses from carpet and paint. An efficient HVAC system will help filter these pollutants out and help you breathe easy.

A properly working system can also protect your home during cold spells—helping prevent cracked pipes and other damage that can occur in freezes. This is especially problematic when you’re not there to keep an eye on things. Today’s smart thermostats can help you manage your temperatures when you’re gone, but they won’t help fix the issue if other parts of your system malfunction.

Your heating system can also be the cause of carbon monoxide in your home, as defective parts in your heat exchanger can leak this dangerous gas into your living spaces. Regular maintenance checks can help find such problems before they become serious health risks.

And regular maintenance will also help increase your comfort, as a properly working system will help move air through your home evenly and efficiently, no matter what season.

Help Protect the Planet

HVAC systems have gotten more efficient over the years, but heating and cooling still make up the single biggest energy expense for homes in the U.S.—at about 48%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Most of our energy production still comes from fossil fuels such as natural gas—the most efficient of the lot—and that has an affect on the well-being of our planet, as these fuel sources have been shown to contribute to greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. A well-working HVAC system will help you cut your carbon footprint and help protect our environment.

Additionally, if you haven’t had your system serviced in a while, a heating and cooling contractor can tell you what kind of refrigerant your system is using. Some types—produced before 2010—have been shown to contribute to ozone depletion. The good news is that in many cases you can have your refrigerant replaced with a type that’s friendlier to Mother Nature’s fragile atmosphere.

This series highlights each of the priority nonprofit partners we’re supporting throughout these difficult times. We previously highlighted the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Heating Energy Assistance Team Inc. (HEAT), and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. Now, let’s look at the United Way of Greater Atlanta, a nonprofit focused on creating a community where “all the children are well.”

Given the dire circumstances in our communities due to the economic fallout caused by COVID-19, we’ve committed over $1 million to support people who are directly impacted by the pandemic. This philanthropic commitment includes a $250,000 donation to United Way – triple our commitment from 2019 and our single largest contribution to any organization.

We have partnered with United Way since 2008, as we are aligned with their belief that a thriving community is only possible if the children are thriving. With a focus on creating a community where “all the children are well,” United Way hopes to give every child the opportunity to reach their potential and ensure that we are building a strong future for Greater Atlanta.

For children in our metro Atlanta community, COVID-19 brought several challenges, including an increasing digital divide and education gap between students. In conjunction with United Way partners, PowerMyLearning and the Atlanta Public School Foundation, our donation will help lessen the gap between students and provide those in need with computers and resources necessary to excel in school.

To combat the economic and social disparities caused by COVID-19, United Way partnered with the Community Foundation to form the COVID-19 Response and Relief Fund. $150,000 went to this initiative, with another $50,000 directly supporting impacted Florida communities and the remaining $50,000 granted to the National Restaurant Relief Fund, helping provide aid for affected restaurant workers.

For more information about United Way of Greater Atlanta and opportunities to give back, please visit their website.

For more information about United Way of Greater Atlanta, click here
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Gas South's Blog

We’re giving over $1 million in 2020 to priority nonprofit partners whose services have become more critical than ever amid COVID-19. Learn how we’re making a difference together and how you can help.

This series highlights each of the priority nonprofit partners we’re supporting throughout these difficult times. We previously highlighted the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Heating Energy Assistance Team Inc. (HEAT). Now, let’s look at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, a nonprofit organization open to serving all through programs and services that help build spirit, body and mind. 

With daycare and school closures, many adjusted to the new norm of balancing full-time parenting and working from home full-time. Nurses, first responders and many more continued to report for work. Earlier this year, Gas South committed $1 million to ease the pandemic’s impact on our community, including $150,000 to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta to provide childcare for essential workers at club locations across the metro Atlanta area.

As families struggle to adjust to the “new normal,” the YMCA’s services have become critical for many, especially those with childcare needs. With the mandatory closing of its branches in mid-March, the YMCA transitioned six of its 24 Atlanta locations into help centers to provide meals for those in need and childcare support for first responders and frontline workers. In the first two months of operation, these programs served over 1,500 children. In addition, the YMCA launched Operation R.E.A.C.H, an initiative designed to connect with and engage seniors and high-risk groups needing resources and support to keep them connected and healthy. 

Considering the growing need for childcare support due to COVID-19 and the essential services the YMCA has provided, our $150,000 donation is five times greater than what we gave in 2019. In terms of the tangible impact created by the donation, our contribution funded one of the YMCA’s childcare centers, providing nearly 500 hours of high-quality childcare for children in our Atlanta community.

“The support of Gas South enables the YMCA to truly deliver on our promise of service to those who turn to us for community and those who turn to us for survival,” said Lauren Koontz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. 

For more information about the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and the different opportunities to give back and get involved, please visit their website

We’re giving over $1 million in 2020 to priority nonprofit partners whose services have become more critical than ever amid COVID-19. Learn how we’re making a difference together and how you can help.

This series highlights each of the priority nonprofit partners we’re supporting throughout these difficult times. We previously highlighted the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Now, let’s look at the Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT), a nonprofit organization that provides critical support to low-income families. 

Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, many metro Atlanta families need assistance to cover their bills. Gas South committed over $1 million to ease the pandemic’s impact on our community, including a $150,000 donation to the Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT).

For all too many Georgians, a missed paycheck or unanticipated challenge, such as COVID-19, creates difficult financial choices for basic necessities. Over the past 36 years, HEAT has been working to help eliminate the "heat or eat” choice many are faced with and has provided more than $23 million in energy assistance to over 100,000 households.

Gas South & HEAT

With Gas South’s longstanding mission to Be a Fuel for Good, we are committed to serving and giving back to our community, especially during these unprecedented times. That’s why our donation to HEAT is five times what it was in 2019, and we estimate this will help nearly 1,000 families avoid natural gas service interruption.

We have proudly supported HEAT, as well as other local charitable organizations long before the pandemic hit, and we will continue to do so long after. Giving back is an integral part of who we are at Gas South, as a company and as individuals. Gas South gives 5% of our annual profits to support children, families and our communities resulting in over $6.5 million dollars donated thus far.

For more information about HEAT and the different opportunities to give back, please visit their website or directly contact their team via email or phone: info@heatga.org or 678.406.0212.

We're giving over $1 million in 2020 to priority nonprofit partners whose services have become more critical than ever amid COVID-19. Learn how we're making a difference together and how you can help.

This series highlights each of the priority nonprofit partners we’re supporting throughout these difficult times.

In Mid-March, we became one of the first corporate offices in Atlanta to institute a work-from-home mandate to protect employees and do our part to flatten the curve. Although our workforce is currently 100% remote, it's not stopping us from carrying out our mission to "Be a Fuel For Good." In fact, the opposite is true. We've stepped up our giving efforts even more.

As our employees helped deliver meals, packed food boxes, and found ways to volunteer virtually, we began to increase funding to area nonprofits. In April alone, we deployed $850,000 in funding, focusing on organizations positioned to have the most significant reach during this time.

In this giving spotlight series, we’ll look at a few of the ways these nonprofit partners are helping people and communities during these uncertain times, starting with Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Even before the COVID-19 crisis, around 1 in 5 Georgia children lived in food-insecure households. As schools remain closed, many children's primary source of nutrition has disappeared. Organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank provide a lifeline for families struggling to keep the fridge stocked.

In an average year, more than 780,000 people across Metro Atlanta seek assistance from one of ACFB's 700 food pantries. Now, ACFB's CEO Kyle Waide estimates there are more than a million people in insecure food situations. ACFB has expanded its outreach efforts to meet the growing need, partnering with schools and YMCA branches, feeding hotel employees, and even setting up drive-through food pantries

"We've increased our distribution by more than 30% over the last two months," Waide recently told Fox 5 News, emphasizing that support from the community is more critical than ever before. In total, ACFB is now distributing a staggering 2 million pounds of food per week—and anticipates sustaining this amount over the next several months.

How We're Helping

While we have long supported Atlanta Community Food Bank and its mission, we've increased our financial commitment this year to $200,000—20 times what we’ve donated in years past. The funding will provide food for children who are no longer receiving free or discounted school lunches and who cannot access school food pantries.

The donation will also support Georgia's hotel workers. Through our partnership with ACFB, funding will support the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association by addressing what has become a massive need, considering  90% of Georgia's hospitality workers have been unemployed since April.

Thanks in part to this funding, Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association have begun holding weekly pop-up food pantries every Tuesday to provide much-needed relief for these workers. 

The pop-up pantries will take place until the end of May at various hotels across Metro Atlanta. Initially, each event provided around 250 furloughed or laid-off workers with 30-pound bags of groceries; beginning April 28, it doubled that capacity, now serving up to 500 families.

"Hope is the fuel that sustains us through uncertain times," said our President and CEO Kevin Greiner. "Hotel workers are often the ones smiling through the bad days, cheering up guests and spreading positivity. It is our turn to reciprocate the warmth and kindness of the hospitality industry by sharing our messages of hope and donating funds to provide food for them and their families."

When the second pop-up food pantry event took place at The Westin, many of our employees were even there to show their support (from a safe social distance) with words of encouragement and handmade signs. 

How You Can Get Help

Atlanta Community Food Bank offers several convenient ways to seek assistance from one of its food pantry locations (and locate its partner agencies). To find help near you, you can visit their COVID-19 Help Map page and enter your ZIP code to see a list of locations (as well as their hours, phone numbers, and policies). 

You can also text "FINDFOOD" or "COMIDA" to 888-976-2232 to receive instant information about food pantry locations near you.

The Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association will be reaching out to impacted workers with updates on pop-up food pantry events, including times and locations. If the hospitality industry slowdown has affected you, you can visit the GHLA's COVID-19 page for a list of available resources.

How You Can Provide Help

With a record number of requests pouring in (and major fundraising events like the annual Hunger Walk Run now canceled due to the coronavirus), Atlanta Community Food Bank needs financial support now more than ever. Even small donations keep someone from going hungry. As little as $1 provides four meals for someone in need, including children, seniors, and families in crisis.

You can choose to make a one-time donation of any amount or make a monthly gift. Be sure to check whether your employer will match your donation, too. If you've got a birthday coming up, consider starting a Facebook Fundraiser benefiting Atlanta Community Food Bank. We have a feeling your friends and family will be more than happy to brighten up your birthday while you're all stuck at home.

Being a Fuel for Good: During COVID-19 and Beyond

We hope our commitment of more than $1M in 2020 inspires others to join us in supporting our communities and all those impacted by COVID-19. 

This commitment will continue long past the pandemic, since giving back is an integral part of our culture and purpose. Even in 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, we had already given more than $850,000 to organizations that provide basic needs, education, and illness/disability support to children in need in our communities.

In addition to funding, more than 165 Gas South employees logged 900+ volunteer hours last year, donating their time and talents to pack summer lunches for kids, help elementary students receive dental care, raise money for Bert’s Big Adventure and more.

And because we'll continue giving back at least 5% of our profits in years to come, every one of our customers is helping us "Be a Fuel for Good," too.

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How Gas South is Managing Organizational Communication During COVID-19

Secret Holland

The past few months have upended the modern-day workforce. Entire organizations have moved to a work-from-home model, employees are learning to collaborate while they self-isolate and leaders are tasked with building culture via video chat. It is understandable that these times of change have left many employees with concerns about the future and a desire for certainty in the workplace. As leaders, we may not be able to guarantee what the future holds, but we can help ease fears among employees through thoughtful, empathetic and transparent communication.

At Gas South, the following four tenets for communication have proven to be a successful guide in the time of COVID-19

Clearly Communicate Key Points

In the age of digital communication, every word matters. This is even more true when miscommunications can cause undue fear or worry and negatively impact your corporate culture. To ensure our intended message is as clear as possible, we take care to identify and highlight the key points for employees. This includes bolding statements that communicate dates or changes to previously communicated policies. We also keep the statements to short, uncomplicated sentences at either the very beginning or very end of paragraphs to prevent them from getting buried in other messaging. We also vet our content with other leaders to ensure all employees are receiving the same message about our intent, without room for error.

Frequent and Transparent

One of the first procedures we established when we shifted to working remotely was a clear schedule for when employees should hear from leadership. Our president and CEO, Kevin Greiner, records a video every Friday that updates employees with information about our organizational wellbeing to assure employees that the company is running smoothly and effectively.  Employees also want to understand how state decisions around shelter-in-place orders or closing schools may or may not impact our plans, so we communicate with employees within 24 hours of key government announcements to provide employees sufficient information to make family decisions. We also created space for employees to ask and receive real-time answers to questions through periodic virtual town halls conducted on Microsoft Teams where they can hear company updates to keep them informed about Gas South, and the decisions our leaders are making to continue putting the health and safety of our employees and customers as a top priority. In addition to scheduled communications, our human resources team periodically checks in with our employees to see how they are managing during these challenging times. This offers a unique opportunity to connect on an individual level with our employees, and helps us respond to their needs the best we can.

Validate All Employee Experiences

This time at home has impacted everyone differently. For some employees who have children, pets or other potential distractions awaiting them at home, the office may provide a desired reprieve compared to employees who find themselves thriving in the solitude provided by working from home – we’re aware that both situations exist and we’re constantly working to accommodate all employees to the best of our ability to ease the transition out of the office. One way we’ve been able to do this is through employee pulse surveys.  An early survey revealed a significant portion of employees felt less productive working from home because they needed an additional computer monitor. We were able to swiftly respond to the needs of our employees by ordering and shipping monitors to those who needed them. While we cannot physically accommodate requests to return to the office early, we’ve been intentional about asking employees to prioritize their families. In some cases that has meant flexibly scheduling meetings around childcare or home-schooling obligations, and for others it means shifting work amongst the team so people can guiltlessly prioritize their lives how they need to.

Root Your Message in Your Values

The most important part of any communication is not the words used, but the impact it leaves.  For us at Gas South, it was important that our team knew the current health crisis wouldn’t change our commitment to our employees, community or customers.  Our company purpose is to Be a Fuel for Good, and that statement has been the single most important decision-making factor for us during this time.  We communicated our largest ever philanthropic donation of $1 million to organizations that are directly helping families impacted by COVID-19, halted all involuntary service disconnections and resolved not to lay off any employees for the duration of the crisis.  By aligning each of these actions with our purpose, employees know that we are the same company that we were before COVID-19 came to our shores.

These organizational communication guidelines have proven to be an effective and invaluable way of ensuring our Gas South team feels supported, informed and cared for throughout this time of transition until we can see each other in person again.

 
 

Chances are, you’re spending more time at home right now, and that means your electricity meter is putting in some overtime. Now’s a great time to look at a few simple ways to conserve energy.

We’ll skip washing dishes by hand and hanging wet laundry outside on a line this week. Of course, those are always good options to cut energy costs, too. But today’s minds have come up with lots of great devices that can make a noticeable difference in your energy consumption. And maybe you haven’t heard about them, so let’s look at a few.

An Eye for Energy

When you want to cut energy costs, you’ll have to know where you’re using it most. An energy monitoring system can help. Devices such as Sense can show you which appliances are using the most power and when. Sense tracks usage by day, week, month and billing cycle, so you’ll get a complete picture of where you can save. It’s relatively easy to install, meaning you can do it without calling in a professional. And because it’s built with smart technology, you can monitor energy use from anywhere with your phone.

Start With a Strip

You might be surprised how much money some of your devices, sometimes called energy vampires, are sucking out of your wallet or pocketbook. Video game consoles, phone chargers and coffee makers—anything connected by a wall wart or brick or that has a standby light or clock—will keep consuming energy, even when they’re not being used. Some estimates suggest that energy vampires can account for 20% of your power bill.

You can help the situation by unplugging devices you don’t use on a regular basis. Or better yet, consider getting a smart power strip. They’re able to detect when a device is in standby mode and then cut the flow of power to help you conserve electricity.

Fine Tune Those Temps

Home heating and cooling make up the biggest energy expense in the U.S.—about 47% of the average homeowner’s bill. Luckily, we’ve got gadgets like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat to help take up the slack. The Nest Thermostat learns the temperatures you like, then programs itself to help you save up to 10% on heating and 15% on cooling. And because it’s a smart device, you can control it from anywhere with your phone, laptop or tablet, even when you’re on the go.

Automate Your Lights

Maybe you’re good at turning lights off whenever you leave a room, but that doesn’t mean everyone in your household is. So, if you’re tired of constantly reminding others to flip the switch, consider motion-detecting smart lights. They’ll save you a bundle on your energy costs.

You’re halfway there if you’ve already go smart light bulbs. You’ll just need a compatible sensor for each living space you want to control. And if you don’t have smart bulbs, you can purchase complete kits with bulbs, sensors and everything you’ll need to get started. The sensors detect whenever some leaves (or enters) a room, ending your duties with the light police.

If that’s too extreme for you, consider purchasing smart bulbs by themselves. You’ll be able to control them from anywhere with your phone, whether you’re out on the town or just relaxing on your couch.

We hope these ideas help you cut costs. Saving energy is good for your bank account, and it’s good for the environment.

ATLANTA (April 7, 2020) – Gas South, one of the Southeast’s leading natural gas providers, announced it will donate more than $1 million this year to support families throughout Georgia and Florida impacted by COVID-19.

Because the need for community assistance is so urgent, Gas South will deploy $850,000 of COVID-19 relief funds in the month of April. Additionally, the company increased annual funding to four of its primary non-profit partners with the broadest capacity to reach those in our community affected by COVID-19: the United Way, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT) and YMCA of Metro Atlanta.

Also receiving immediate funding as part of Gas South’s ongoing mission to “Be a Fuel for Good” are Ser Familia, The Salvation Army and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

“The difficulties presented by COVID-19 to our community and nation are unprecedented, and we want to support our neighbors with these donations while encouraging others to join,” said Kevin Greiner, Gas South president and CEO. “We have partnered with each of these incredible organizations in the past, so we’re confident in their ability to put these donations to work effectively and immediately.”

While Gas South’s community assistance annual giving typically includes smaller donations to dozens of local causes over the course of a year – and focuses almost exclusively on programs for children in need – Gas South will now commit more dollars to fewer organizations while expanding the focus to also include programs providing utility payment assistance and support for unemployed restaurant and hotel workers.

The donations to these non-profit partners represent substantial increases over prior year funding, including:

  • United Ways in Atlanta and Florida will receive $250,000, more than triple the funding provided by Gas South last year. This includes $150,000 to United Way of Greater Atlanta, which is directing some of its funding to address the digital divide – the significant disparities in students’ access to in-home learning devices and internet access – which is essential to enabling students to keep up with their schoolwork remotely. PowerMyLearning is one of the organizations aiding in this effort. Gas South’s relief funds also include $50,000 for unemployed restaurant workers in partnership with the Georgia Restaurant Association, and $50,000 to Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami.

  • Atlanta Community Food Bank, which distributes more than 60 million meals across north Georgia, will be the beneficiary of $200,000 – 20 times the previous year’s amount. Funding will support feeding children who are out of school and have no access to school pantries and free/reduced lunches. This donation also supports the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association to provide food for hotel workers.

  • YMCA of Metro Atlanta, which provides programming for all ages and hunger relief for thousands of children and families, will receive $150,000 – more than four times the previous year’s funding. Gas South’s gift will provide essential childcare for first responders and healthcare staff at one location — serving up to 50 children — for eight weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT), which helps low-income families and individuals across Georgia pay their heating bills, will receive $150,000 – five times the amount Gas South donated last year. These funds will provide heat for over 1,000 individuals who are unable to pay their bills due to these extenuating circumstances.

  • Ser Familia, which helps Latino youth, couples, parents and families through educational programs, will receive $75,000 – more than seven times the previous year’s donation. The funds will address basic needs of families in the Hispanic community impacted by COVID-19.

  • The Salvation Army will receive $50,000, with $20,000 donated in April for COVID-19 relief efforts and $30,000 in October for Project Share, The Salvation Army's utility assistance initiative.

Each of the donations will be allocated to initiatives and programs that support families and children in our community most impacted by COVID-19. For example, grocery stores have become barren, and the need for food and supplies is so great, that the Atlanta Community Food Bank has become the main grocery store for families. Yet, it has been a struggle for the non-profit to keep its shelves stocked.

“With so many people stocking up at the grocery stores, we’ve lost about a third of what we normally get from stores and general donations,” says Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “This tremendous donation from Gas South will enable us to purchase nutritious food faster for our families in desperate need.”

The suspension of public school for the remainder of the year has put additional strain on parents, especially those who are on the front lines and not able to care for their children while working from home.

“Our childcare program is open to the brave individuals who are working to meet the needs of the community, including medical professionals, law enforcement, grocery workers, and others who cannot work from home at this time,” said Lauren Koontz, YMCA of Metro Atlanta president and CEO. “The support of Gas South enables the YMCA to truly deliver on our promise of service to those who turn to us for community and to those who turn to us for survival. We are extremely grateful for their commitment and contribution to our collective efforts during this crisis."

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Gas South's Blog
man changing home air filter

We’ve all been there—that place where you keep putting things off because they don’t seem like a big deal at first. Houseplants shrivel from lack of water. That expired container of milk gets pushed farther and farther to the back of the fridge. That bit of lint between the dryer and the wall grows into an entire colony of evil dust bunnies.

Life gets busy, and the small things are easy to brush off. But some of these seemingly small things shouldn’t be ignored.

The filters in your home’s heating and air system are a great example. They help keep contaminants out of the air, which helps keep you and your loved ones healthier. And they also prevent your system from working too hard, which saves you money and helps prolong your system’s life.

When Should I Change My Air Filters?

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this. There are lots of variables to consider. But a good general rule of thumb in an average home with no pets using 1 to 3-inch thick pleated filters is to change them out every three months. But there are other variables to consider:

Does The Type Of Filter I Have Matter?

There are three main types for residential home use–fiberglass, pleated and washable—as well as different thicknesses and rating levels, all of which can affect when it’s time to replace a filter.

  • Fiberglass filters are your cheapest option, but they should be swapped out once a month. They’re easy to replace, but they just don’t have the filtering abilities of the other types.
  • Pleated filters, made from polyester or cotton paper, are designed to filter out finer particles of dirt and dust. They typically cost more than fiberglass filters, but they also last longer—from 30 to 90 days. They’re easy to replace, and most are recyclable. For more on the advantages of pleated filters, check out this article by our partner Second Nature.
  • Washable filters never need to be replaced—they just need to be washed out regularly. They’re also the most expensive option ($50 and up) but are also one of the most efficient filter types. In some models, the air coursing through them creates an electrostatic charge that helps collect even more dirt and debris from the air. Washable filters should be washed once a month.

Additionally, having a thicker-than-average filter—over 3 inches—will mean you won’t have to change it as often.

What If I Have Cats Or Dogs?

You’ll probably want to change your filters our at least every two months if you’re using a standard pleated style.

What If I Have Allergies, Asthma Or Respiratory Issues?

Consider changing your filters every 20 to 45 days.

What If I Have Small Children In My Home?

Keep indoor air quality high for kids and replace those filters about every two months.

Does It Matter How Big My Home Is?

If your home is bigger than average, it’s likely your system is bigger and is processing more air. And in most cases, that means you’ll want to change your filters more frequently. If your filters are thicker than 3 inches, they’ll likely last longer than average.

What If The Air Quality In My City Is Poor?

Smog and dust in cities with higher levels of air pollution will make your system work harder, and that, too, will require more frequent filter changes. And you’ll also want to switch out old filters more often if you’re doing any kind of renovation work that creates dust.

What If I Have A Vacation Home?

In vacation homes and the like, where people aren’t staying for long periods of time, filters can last from 6 to 12 months.

What Is MERV And Does It Matter?

The MERV rating— Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value—is a standard that helps rate the overall effectiveness of a filter. The higher that number, which goes from 1 to 16, the better it is at removing smaller particles of dirt and dust. But you’ll want to make sure you don’t surpass the MERV rating your system is built for. A high MERV filter can cause problems with letting enough air through, which can overtax your system.
If you’ve decided to get a higher MERV rating filter that still works with your system, you might consider changing it more frequently, as it’s sure to collect more contaminants in a shorter period of time.

At Gas South, we’re always looking for ways to make your life run smoother. We hope this blog helps you understand a little more about home heating and cooling air filters.

On February 13th, 2020, Gas South and Cobb EMC broke ground on an innovative renewable energy project with a focus on the future, ensuring a greener outlook for both companies. This project includes both solar energy and battery storage.

 

ground breaking photo

“We’re committed to affordable, renewable energy and redefining what it means to be an energy expert,” said Peter Heintzelman, Cobb EMC president and CEO. “This project enables us to test the performance advantage and resiliency of solar panels and battery storage, which will benefit Cobb EMC members for decades to come. We’re proud to support sustainability efforts that make financial sense for all of our members.”

An estimated 1.85 MW of solar and 1 MW/4 MWh of battery storage is being added to the Cobb EMC campus to help power its operations. For perspective, that is enough energy to power approximately 200 homes for an entire year. This innovative method of renewable energy storage will also help the cooperative learn how to better support solar and battery projects for large customers. In April, Cobb EMC will add to the project and unveil three Smartflowers along Hwy 41, which can provide an additional 13,140 kWh of energy and afford the cooperative an approachable opportunity to educate the public about renewable energy.

This project is owned by Gas South for Cobb EMC to support future sustainable energy efforts for both companies. This arrangement provides Cobb EMC with the solar and battery output for 10 years and will enable Cobb EMC to share solar energy back to the grid during certain periods of time. “Together, we’re committed to renewable energy that will pave the way for a more sustainable future for our communities,” said Kevin Greiner, Gas South president and CEO. “As a subsidiary of Cobb EMC, we are excited to work with our parent company on this innovative project.”

The rooftop solar and energy storage solutions were developed by Creative Solar USA and Northern Reliability and are slated for completion by May 2020.

“The team at Creative Solar USA is proud to play a role in this important project, which will not only provide competitive renewable energy to the grid but serve as a learning tool for future projects,” said Russell Seifert, CEO of Creative Solar USA. “I founded this company to be a cutting-edge leader in our evolving energy market and this project is a standing example of our commitment to clean, economical electricity for our fellow Georgians.”

Cobb EMC is one of the first electric cooperatives in the nation to install battery storage and rooftop solar to power its operations. The cooperative recognizes that while renewable energy and battery storage will play a significant role in transitioning to a lower carbon future, consumers need guidance from their electricity providers. Along with Gas South, Cobb EMC stands ready to lead the change.

Cobb EMC’s commitment to sustainability and innovation is mirrored in the cooperative’s renewable energy portfolio. Cobb EMC currently offers Renewable Energy Credits to our members as part of our ongoing sustainability strategy.

Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative. The company safely delivers reliable electricity to more than 200,000 residential and commercial consumers in Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, Fulton, and Paulding counties. Cobb EMC is consistently recognized for low-cost, reliable power, a commitment to renewable energy and giving back to the communities it serves. Cobb EMC is one of the largest EMCs in the nation, and the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Gas South is a leading provider of natural gas in the Southeast. For more information, visit www.cobbemc.com.

Creative Solar USA is a Georgia-based, turn-key installer of innovative solar panel systems, dedicated to alternative energy solutions for your home or business. Since 2008 their NABCEP
certified installers have ensured our clients receive the highest quality solar energy systems in the industry. For more information, visit www.CreativeSolarUSA.com.

Northern Reliability (“NRI”), based in Waterbury, Vermont, is an engineering and technology firm that designs, procures, installs, and supports stand-alone electric power and energy storage systems for utilities and governments across the United States and abroad. NRI, whose team was formed in the early 1970’s, boasts over 1000 systems deployed around the globe on all seven continents and is likely the oldest operating engineering group in the storage sector. For more information, visit www.northernreliability.com.

Learn more about Gas South's sustainability efforts.

Photo by Pamela Dabrowa Photography

Last week, we discussed what our 2019 general impact investment winners were able to accomplish with their earnings. We also shared the goals that our 2020 general impact investment winners are looking to accomplish with their investment winnings.  

This week, we're focusing on what our 2019 winners were able to accomplish for their non-profit organizations and the goals for our 2020 illness and disability winners.

 

impact investment recipients

2020 Illness and Disability Investment Winners 

Shepherd Center 

Shepherd Center's mission is to help people with a temporary or permanent disability caused by injury or disease, rebuild their lives with hope, independence and dignity, advocating for their full inclusion in all aspects of community life while promoting safety and injury prevention.  

The Gas South impact investment funds will be used to purchase an adapted minivan to provide transportation for more individualized outings. Ensuring their young patients (as well as their general patient population) can venture out into the community feeling more confident and with a sense of belonging.

Additionally, an outing in a minivan vs. a Shepherd bus allows patients to experience an adapted vehicle and is often a catalyst for patients and families purchasing a vehicle that can be used and driven by their adolescent patients. Driving or returning to driving is often one of the primary goals of their teen patients.

Sunshine on a Ranney Day 

The mission of Sunshine on a Ranney Day is to renovate homes for children with long term illnesses and special needs. Sunshine on a Ranney Day renovates homes for children with long-term illnesses, disabilities, and special needs so that they can safely live in their own homes with their own families.  

Each year, they help around 20 children by providing them with life-changing modifications (in addition to the large-scale, special project they complete each year in the community). This year, they have 13 children that are still waiting for their modifications. Each child has a specific project budget that will address their unique needs. The funding from our Gas South impact investment will be used to outfit a home with a wheelchair accessible bathroom and bedroom for a child.  

Training and Counseling Center (TACC)  

TACC offers affordable counseling services specifically to the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged. TACC has recently added a new counselor specifically to serve low-income and disadvantaged children due to the ever-increasing need for mental health services for the youngest community members. The Gas South Innovation Investment of $10,000 will provide 100 sessions to underserved and vulnerable children and youth in metro Atlanta.   

2019 Illness and Disability Investment Winners 

Bert’s Big Adventure 

Gas South’s Impact Investment allowed Bert’s Big Adventure to impact families at their Family Orientation, Send Off Celebration, Walt Disney World, and Spring Reunion. At the family orientation, they were able to surprise 8 children and 31 family members with the news they were headed to Walt Disney World! At the Sendoff, Gas South granted a child (Alex) and his family of 5, with a 4-night Disney cruise in September 2019. While at Disney World, 12 children were able to have princess and pirate makeovers and dance parties with characters. In May, over 450 family members gathered at the Fernbank Museum for a Spring Reunion. All the children that Bert’s Big Adventure touches have a difficult life because they are dealing with terminal illnesses. The Gas South impact investment helped to give them precious time and memories with their families that they otherwise would not experience.  

“We are beyond grateful for the continued support (not just financially) from the Gas South team – you are truly a unique organization dedicated to giving back in our community.” Molly Parish, Executive Director. 

Camp Twin Lakes 

Camp Twin Lakes provides a place where children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and life challenges can discover and be their best selves. Our Gas South 2019 investment helped Camp Twin Lakes serve children with limb deficiencies or defects, cancer, Type I diabetes, Tourette syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, developmental disabilities, organ transplants, spina bifida, and congenital insensitivity to pain, as well as children in foster care, children with an incarcerated parent, kids who have lost a parent serving in the military or have active military parents, and those who have experienced a loss.  

Gas South's investment of $50,000 allowed Camp Twin Lakes to transform the lives of 91 children and teens with special healthcare needs and life challenges. This program provides a 70% scholarship ($550) for every camper served, funding camper food, fully-accessible housing, and all program supplies and equipment. Because of supporters like Gas South, we were able to provide a scholarship to 100% of our campers, and more than 70% attended Camp last summer at no cost at all! 

Gas South will partner with each of the winning organizations to track and measure the impact that our investments are having. Our employees will also have the opportunity to engage in volunteer activities with the winners throughout the rest of our fiscal year.  

As a leading provider of natural gas throughout the southeastern U.S., Gas South has taken a close look at how we can make sure our success as a company directly benefits the communities we serve. Through volunteerism, charity partnerships and ongoing financial support, we’re helping people in our community fulfill their potential with the hope that, one day, they’ll join us in being a fuel for good. 

Thanks to our friends at Bert's Big Adventure for providing the photo for this article.

In 2019, Gas South awarded $300,000 to six local nonprofit organizations - Atlanta Mission, Kate’s Club, Los Niños Primero, Nana Grants, Shepherd Center and Sunshine on a Ranney Day were all recipients of $50,000 each. Additionally, Covenant House of Georgia, Girls, Inc. and Training and Counseling Center were awarded $10,000 each. 

Gas South makes it our mission to be a fuel for good for the community we serve. We strive to put our customers, employees and our community first in everything we do. Donating 5% of our profits to children in need is a core pillar of our mission to be a fuel for good, but you may be wondering how exactly those funds are allocated.

 

 
 
Gas South Impact Invest Winners

The Gas South investments address three main types of needs:

  • Basic needs 
  • Illness and disability
  • Education 

Let’s take a look at how Gas South’s past basic needs investment winners were able to make a difference in our Georgia community in 2019, and how the 2020 basic needs winners are planning to use the investment funds this year.

2020 Basic Needs Investment Winners

Covenant House of Georgia

Covenant House of Georgia (CHGA) is Atlanta’s only homeless shelter serving youth ages 18 to 21. Most of their youth are African American (80%) and the remainder are Caucasian (10%) and Latino (10%). About one-third were in the foster care system and more than half have a history with the criminal justice system. Covenant House will be providing interview and work attire for 200 youth in their vocational program with the $10,000 Innovation Investment from Gas South.   

Atlanta Mission

Atlanta Mission provides each child that comes to them for help, basic needs and services that include shelter, bedding, meals, shower, essential healthcare, laundry facilities, childcare, afterschool and preschool programming, and other social services.   

With an Impact Investment grant from Gas South, at the cost of about $30 per day, they will provide over 1,600 children with a bed and bedding, meals, showers, essential healthcare, daycare, preschool programming, school uniforms, school supplies, and other necessities.

When a child arrives with his or her mother at the doorstep of their Atlanta Day Shelter, they immediately begin meeting their basic needs. They provide three hot meals per day, showers, essential healthcare, laundry facilities, and a safe, secure place to sleep. In addition to a bed, they provide each individual their own sheet set, blanket, and pillow to help them find comfort off the streets.

Children are also given a bunk bag, which contains games, coloring books, and other stimulating activities to allow them a sense of play and normalcy amidst the chaos of homelessness. Infants and young children are enrolled in our quality childcare program, and school-aged children are enrolled in Centennial Academy Charter School to ensure educational stability and growth while they stay with them.  

Kate's Club

Kate’s Club empowers children facing life after the death of a parent or sibling. Kate’s Club serves children in the greater metro Atlanta area, from five to 18 years old, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver at no cost to the child’s family.

Kate’s Club will use our funding to support their Clubhouse Services and Camp Good Mourning. Camp Good Mourning is a bi-annual two-night, three-day retreat held at Camp Twin Lakes in Winder, Georgia. Their members participate in both camp recreation and therapeutic activities.  

Their approach is two-fold: 1) they provide therapeutic services children need to grieve and cope with their loss and 2) they provide fun, recreational activities, which encourage them the be a kid in an environment where their peers are experiencing a similar loss. As with their other programs, they experienced an increased need for Camp Good Mourning – funding will help expand the number of children who could attend Camp Good Mourning in April 2020. 

2019 Basic Needs Investment Winners

Street Grace

Street Grace is a faith-driven organization that collaborates with faith, business and community leaders providing a comprehensive path to end the sexual exploitation of minors. CSEC involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, and/or the obtaining of a child under the age of 18 for the purpose of a commercial sex act. Street Grace mobilizes community resources – financial, human, and material – to fight CSEC through prevention/protection, policy and pursuit. 

The Gas South Impact Investment was the final piece of funding needed for the development of a self-contained online toolkit that can be distributed to any school that wants to implement the Youth Education Initiative. The Youth Education Initiative is a student-led prevention program that partners with middle and high schools to teach children about commercial sexual exploitation, how to recognize it, talk about it, report it, and protect themselves and their friends against it.

In 2018, Street Grace reached over 61,000 youth with this critical message. Currently, creative production, including building and producing files for all educational materials to be placed on the website, is underway along with a strategic social media campaign to support the expanding initiative.  

The final phase of this project involves testing and then finally, implementation of the Online Toolkit within Dekalb Public Schools and Atlanta Public Schools, reaching 72 middle and high schools and approximately 100,000 students in the 2019/2020 school year.   

“These exciting updates would not be possible without the financial support and trust of partners like Gas South. Thank you for believing in us and supporting us in such a substantial way.” – Bob Rodgers, President/CEO Street Grace 

Covenant House

The Gas South Impact Investment directly impacted vulnerable young people in the residential programs and wrap-around services in 2019. The investment provided shelter to 518 youth seeking refuge from the streets of Atlanta. It also helped 119 youth to advance their education by registering for and taking the GED, applying to college and completing FAFSA applications. Finally, the investment trained and certified 48 youth in specialized vocational programs that provided skills and knowledge to meet current demand in the job market. 

An example of the Gas South impact is Leigha. She came to Covenant House nearly a year ago with an extensive history of homelessness, abandonment and neglect. Leigha expressed interest in becoming a dietitian, so she enrolled in the Health Technology and Administration certification program. She excelled in her studies, gained full-time employment and successfully transitioned to the independent living program. She is currently enrolled at Perimeter College for the fall semester. 

“We know it was the generous spirits of the Gas South team members that made this grant possible! Please pass along our sincerest appreciation and know that your support ensures that we can continue providing the services needed to triage, stabilize, and heal this vulnerable population.” – Dr. Alieizsoria Redd, Executive Director 

2020 Vision: Looking Ahead

As a leading provider of natural gas in the southeastern U.S., Gas South has taken a close look at how we can make sure our success as a company directly benefits the communities we serve. We believe our communities are strongest when children are well and have opportunities to reach their full potential. This means helping families build strong foundations, helping to meet their basic needs and providing positive pathways for kids. That’s why we’ve committed 5% of our profits to help children in need. 

Through volunteerism, charity partnerships and ongoing financial support, we’re helping people in our community fulfill their potential with the hope that, one day, they’ll join us in being a fuel for good. 

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And we couldn't do it without you.

 

Be the difference photo

As we look back on 2019, we‘re grateful for the opportunity to serve our customers—and our community.

As part of our mission to Be A Fuel For Good, we are committed to giving back 5% of our profits to help children in need. We're proud to work with local partners to provide financial assistance in three key areas:

Basic Needs

Action Ministries

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Atlanta Mission

Covenant House

HEAT

MUST Ministries

Nana Grants

Salvation Army

Ser Familia

Society of St Vincent de Paul

United Way.

Illness/Disability

Bert's Big Adventure

Kate's Club

Lekotek

Shepherd Center

Sunshine on a Ranney Day

Training and Counseling Center

Education

Atlanta Opera

Atlanta Public Schools Foundation

Boys Scouts

Girls Inc

Junior Achievement

Learn for Life

Los Niños Primero

Norton Park Elementary School

Heritage Academy

PowerMyLearning

STEM Leadership Foundation (Kell Robotics)

YMCA of Metro Atlanta

Through your continued support, we’re warming the lives of kids in our community during the holidays and throughout the year.

Thank you for being a part of it all!

If you’re like most of us, you feel good when you’re able to cut down on your home energy use. It saves money, and it helps preserve the planet. But it can mean a lot of money up front if you want to tile your roof with solar panels or replace all those old drafty windows.

Thankfully, there are lots of great ways to save energy without busting the bank. This week, we’re looking at one of the best ways to do that: the Google Nest Learning Thermostat.

In the typical U.S. home, heating and cooling make up the biggest energy expense—about 50%. That’s more than double what all of a home’s electronics and appliances consume (21%).

But the Nest Learning Thermostat helps level the playing field, cutting up to 12% on heating and up to 15% on cooling, all by itself. And here’s how:

When you’re at home the first few days after your new thermostat has been installed, it learns the temperatures you like, based on your initial settings. Then it programs itself, turning the temperature up or down (depending on the season) when you’re not around to help save energy.

And it’s smart enough to understand your home, recognizing how long it takes to heat or cool. When it’s really cold out and you’ve been at work all day, for example, the Nest Learning Thermostat knows how long it needs to start heating to get your home comfy by the time you walk in the door. And it knows when to shut it off to keep your home in that optimal range.

It’s a pretty good teacher, too. With the Nest Leaf icon that appears on the thermostat’s display or on the Nest app, you’ll learn which settings are the most energy efficient. These are preset, so you can hit the ground running right after your thermostat is installed. Later, it’ll personalize these settings to your home after the thermostat has been working for a while. And did you know the thermostat’s display can even remind you when it’s time to change your HVAC system’s filter?

The Nest is easy to install. In most cases, it just takes a few minutes. And Google Nest has a great support site to help, should you need it. Or they’ll even help you find a Nest Pro to assist with installation if you’re having difficulty. And once it’s set up, you can control the thermostat from anywhere with your phone, laptop or tablet.

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And we couldn’t do it without you.

 

 

Gas South volunteers

As we look back on 2018, we‘re grateful for the opportunity to serve our customers—and our community.

We’re committed to giving back 5% of our profits to help children in need and proud to work with local partners to provide financial assistance in three key areas:

Basic Needs
Action Ministries
Atlanta Community Food Bank
Heating Emergency Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.)
MUST Ministries
The Salvation Army
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia
United Way of Greater Atlanta

Education
Boy Scouts of America
Junior Achievement
Learn 4 Life
PowerMyLearning
YMCA

Illness/Disability
Bert’s Big Adventure
Ser Familia
Shepherd Center

Through your continued support, we’re warming the lives of kids in our community during the holidays and throughout the year.

Thank you for being a part of it all!

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If you’re making your list and checking it twice, finding extra ways to save energy is always nice. Here’s how to cut back on your home-heating expenses this holiday season:

  1. Ask Santa to upgrade your thermostat. Investing in a newer thermostat (and programming it to lower the temperature certain times of the day in the winter) can save consumers more than 15% on energy costs.
  2. Let the sunshine in. Keep draperies and shades open during the day but remember to close them at night to reduce chill and cut down on drafts from cold windows.
  3. Deck the halls with LED lights. LED Christmas lights use 90% less electricity than regular Christmas lights and you can purchase them for about $10 a strand.
  4. Bake several dishes at once. If you’ll be doing a lot of cooking this season, take advantage of the energy that goes into warming your oven by baking as many dishes at once as possible.
  5. Turn lamps off when the tree is lit. You’ll have plenty of light (and can enjoy the peaceful ambiance) simply by using the light of the Christmas tree to illuminate the room.
  6. Lower the thermostat when the party starts. While hosting guests, turn down the heat since holiday cooking and having a few extra warm bodies automatically raises the temperature in your home.
  7. Find and seal leaks. Be sure to seal air leaks around pipes, chimneys, outlets and unfinished spaces. Don’t forget to caulk or weather-strip drafty doors and windows.
  8. Put holiday lights on a timer. Set the timer to turn lights on when it gets dark and off at bedtime. Aim to keep Christmas lights on for less than six hours a day.
  9. Close the damper when the fire is off. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like leaving a window wide open because it allows air to escape out of the chimney.
  10. Unplug electronics before leaving town. TVs, DVD players, computers, printers, radios and many other electronics use energy even when they aren’t turned on. Take the time to disconnect these phantom energy users before going away for the holidays.

For year-round savings, visit GasSouth.com. Happy holidays from your friends at Gas South!

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Whether it’s crisp, fall air or an Indian Summer you’re feeling, now’s the time to make sure your natural gas service connection has been scheduled. As the cold weather approaches and thousands of residents and businesses turn on their gas supply, it can take about a week for Atlanta Gas Light to get you connected – so don’t wait until it’s cold to sign up. Stay warm this winter with no delay!

 

 

sign up for natural gas informational

Sign up for natural gas service connection here or call us at 866-762-6427. 

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With Gas South, you get great low rates, never pay a deposit and you can schedule your service up to 90 days in advance. Plus, we’ll give you a $50 bill credit using the code “MOVE” and exclusive discounts if you sign up as a new customer. To help make your move even easier, follow our convenient moving checklist.

2 Months Out

  • Begin cleaning closets, garage, basement, and attic.
  • Host a garage sale, donate items, and haul away what you no longer keep.

1 Month Out

2 Weeks Out

The Week of Your Move

  • Send a note informing everyone of your change of address.
  • Put together a first-night survival kit with first aid, paper goods, flashlight, scissors, etc.
  • Be sure all items are ready for the movers.
  • Deep clean the house.

1 Day Before You Move

  • Get cash and fill up on gasoline.
  • Change the locks on the doors of your new home and have sets of keys made.
  • Pack your suitcase. Include fresh sheets, towels, and toiletries.

The Day of Your Move

  • Once all belongings are loaded onto the moving truck, complete a final walkthrough.
  • Lock all windows and doors, and turn off the thermostat and all lights.
  • Enjoy your new home!
Want this moving checklist in PDF format?
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Brenda Turner, senior residential channel coordinator, is passionate about her job here at Gas South, as well as her role as a mentor for kids in our community.

In 2015, she started teaching and mentoring students every Sunday as a small group leader at Decatur City Church. Brenda has witnessed the eight students grow from preschoolers to second graders after spending her Sundays with them for the last three years. She teaches them weekly life lessons, listens to their stories with enthusiasm and is continuing to set an example for kids on what it means to serve others.

Volunteering as a small group leader is fulfilling Brenda’s urge to look beyond herself to do something greater. She started volunteering as a mentor at Woodson Park Academy –  a Title 1 school – in August 2017. Of the students enrolled at Woodson, 98 percent are eligible for free or reduced lunches, which is an indication of the need within the community.

 

Brenda Turner's mentee

“I’ll never forget the day I met my mentee,” Brenda said. “I walked into the school and they announced her name. Everyone started cheering and celebrating. It was like she won the lottery and it was just me meeting her for lunch.”

The program pairs volunteers with elementary students, and then volunteers are asked to visit the school once a month to spend an hour with the mentee. During that hour, volunteers teach the students a different virtue each month, and provide games and fun activities to do together.

“Obstacles we think will keep us from volunteering are not really obstacles at all,” Brenda added. “We often discredit what we have to give. The look on my mentee's face when she sees me every month shows me that I’m a part of something special.”

Gas South employees are given eight hours of paid volunteer time a year, and since the volunteer program is eight sessions, Brenda is able to use those hours to give back to children in need. And for one little girl, that makes all the difference in the world.

Thank you, Brenda, for showing us all what it means to be a fuel for good.

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Basketball may be just a game for some people. But, Brandon Miller is not one of those people. The sport means so much more.

Brandon has been volunteering his time to coach a basketball team of 9- and 10-year-old boys through the City of Acworth’s Park and Recreation Department. Brandon combines his passion for sports and helping children to give back to the community that’s given him so much over the years.

 

Brandon Miller Employee Spotlight

“The young men on my team come from various backgrounds,” Brandon said. “They’re all in need of positive role models. Many of these kids live in single-parent homes and face daily challenges that no one should be subjected to.”

Brandon’s goal is to not only help kids improve their basketball skills, but to also show them someone in their life cares. He also believes children learn many lessons through sports which will help them navigate life: the importance of teamwork, the idea that hard work leads to results, how to persevere in the face of adversity, and what it means to keep a commitment.

“All of these lessons are transferable to everyday life, and they’re the lessons I hope to instill in each of these young men.”

The team, named Crimson Tide, practices two or three nights a week and has a game once a week. Brandon doesn’t take for granted the time he spends with the kids. Every interaction is meaningful; if they aren’t discussing basketball, they’re talking about school or their goals and dreams.

Through Gas South’s sponsorship with the Altanta Hawks, Brandon had the opportunity to take his team to a game in December. Most of the boys had never been to a professional sports game and many never dreamed they’d get that chance. Needless to say, they had a great time.

“The guys were so excited about seeing their favorite team play. I can’t express enough how happy they were that night. It was very moving to personally experience the impact of what we see as a small gesture – to these kids, it means so much more.”

And, it means something to Gas South as well.

Brandon Miller is a senior residential channel coordinator at Gas South. When he’s not helping build our multifamily business and spending time with family, you can find him setting an example of what it’s like to be a fuel for good for kids in our community.

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group photo of the peachtree district state championship

Mentoring the Kell Robotics Team through the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Leadership Foundation takes real heart – something Rajiv Thomas, Gas South systems engineer, knows well.

The Kell Robotics Team is a group of about 16 high school students who participate in two regional competitions each year in hopes of making it to the state championship and ultimately, the world championship.

Every January, competing teams take part in a kickoff event at Georgia Tech where they’re tasked with building a robot in 60 days. That robot then has to complete a challenge to move forward in the competition.

Rajiv is part of a group of volunteers that mentor the team which meets at least twice a week to plan, design and build the amazingly efficient robot and ensure that it’s ready for the showdown.

Last year, the Kell Robotics’ team won the Chairman’s Award at the Georgia State Championships to make it to the world championship in Houston. And even though their robot didn’t place, the kids who get to learn from these experiences are the real winners.

“Anyone can build a robot and compete, “said Rajiv. “We push kids to problem solve on their own. We don’t do the work for them – we just guide them. It’s truly fulfilling to watch the kids think outside the box and work through obstacles.”

The Chairman’s Award recognizes teams for how they encourage STEM education – it honors the team that inspires others to get involved in STEM. The Kell Robotics Team has proudly won the award a few times.

 

group photo of the robotics team

“We encourage a love of STEM – and see our students become better people,” Rajiv added. “When we were at the World Competition, the team from Israel was not able to get their batteries through Homeland Security. Our students offered to let them borrow our batteries when we weren’t using them. That was a proud moment for me.”

Rajiv tirelessly encourages students to grow outside the classroom. He’s passionate about igniting the imaginations of young minds and is truly an inspiration to others who also have a desire to be a fuel for good.

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children riding bikes

When Gas South entered the natural gas market, we knew we could be a different kind of provider. Because we believe people are important—the customers we’ve come to know, the business owners we serve, and the coworkers who are family to us.

Our Purpose is to Be a Fuel for Good.

That means helping you save money with simple rate plans. Trusting you from the beginning by never asking for a deposit. And always treating you with dignity, honesty and respect.

It means letting our employees know that while their work is important—they're important, too. By helping pay for school and encouraging our employees to grow in their careers, we can make their lives better. That makes us better.

Being a fuel for good also means working to inspire others in the industry to do right by customers. When we focus on doing the right thing, everyone benefits—even our competition (and we’re okay with that).

We’re dedicated to making sure our success directly benefits our community. That’s why we’re committed to giving back 5% of our profits to help children in need.

We approach every day knowing we have an opportunity to improve people’s lives. Because we believe that, together, we can be a fuel for good.

During the next several months, we’re rolling out employee and partner stories that are examples of Being a Fuel for Good. Check back every week to read what inspire us!

Are you Being a Fuel for Good? Do you know someone who is a Fuel for Good? If so, let us know in the comments.

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Moving can be a tricky task. With boxes, newspaper and tape galore, it’s easy to lose your wits. Keep your cool and hack your move with these five simple tips:

  1. Get to Moving: Getting started can be the hardest part! Get your toolbox ready and tighten your toolbelt with these moving day essentials: packing tape, colored tape, box cutter, gloves, plastic wrap, etc.
  2. Keep It Together: Trinkets, treasures and tiny gadgets become casualties of a move far too often. Here’s a simple fix: place a sheet of plastic wrap around your utensil tray to keep forks, knives, spoons and other kitchen gear together—just where it belongs. You can do the same with your jewelry or bathroom vanity tray.
  3. Don’t Whine Over Broken Glasses: Say ‘pass’ to broken glass. Grab an old wine box and get to packing! And if you don’t already have one at home, you can usually snag one for free at a local package store. Use the pre-cut section dividers to safely store each piece of glassware and prevent scratching, breaking, chipping or cracking.
  4. Color Code Your Move: Instead of writing room names on packing boxes, you can use color coded tape to label your boxes for the right room. Designate a color for each room— green for the living room and blue for the kitchen. You’ll keep your boxes organized and your head on your shoulders. And if you have movers, they can easily know what goes where!
  5. Just Roll with It: Rock and roll your heavy items all the way to your new home with this hack: pack your heavy items in a rolling suitcase. This nifty tip will help you carry a lot while lifting a little.

     

 

Moving doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with a little help from Gas South. Learn how you can save time and money when you move with Gas South and about our partnerships with Atlanta Peach Movers and Allconnect. Also, check out our moving checklist to help make your move as simple as possible.

Not a current customer? Sign up with Gas South and get $50 in bill credits.

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Gas South presenting check to the United Way

Gas South is Bringing the Heat again this baseball season to fuel the good that our local nonprofits do for those in need. We are donating $25 every time an Atlanta Braves pitcher throws a strikeout at home games.

Last year, we donated more than $61,000 which was split between The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta and the United Way of Greater Atlanta. Since the campaign’s inception in 2010, Gas South has contributed nearly $350,000 to local nonprofit organizations!

This year, Gas South is fueling another source of good – youth development. Did you know that one in five children, teens and families that go to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta need financial assistance to participate in the youth programs? The YMCA gives more than $161,000 in scholarships each year to kids that are unable to pay the program fee. In 2016, more than 23,500 kids across 20 branch locations participated in swimming, tennis, basketball, cheerleading, flag football, lacrosse, track and field, martial arts, and volleyball.

 

Gas South presenting check to the United Way

That’s why we are giving the donations for all Braves strikeouts thrown during April and May to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta – over $8,400!

The YMCA is dedicated to ensuring that no child is turned away, and we are proud that our partnership allows everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential.

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Fox Brothers

Texas-raised pitmasters and twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox are the dynamic duo behind Atlanta’s famed Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q. And, they’re Gas South customer.

In honor of National Barbecue Month, the restaurant dished out their recipe for its signature charred grilled wings. The recipe is easy to follow and best suited for a natural gas grill. So go ahead… gather your guests and get to grillin’!

 

 

Fox. Bros sauces and wings

Items Needed

Getting the Grill Ready

  • Fire up that grill, and get it hot and ready. Start off on high heat to get the grill hot, or move heat to medium or medium-high if you are more comfortable cooking at that temperature.
  • Use the zone method, where you’ll cook over both direct and indirect heat on the grill.
  • Light one side of the grill. For example, light the left side if the burners run left to right, or light the back burner if they run front to back. This will be your direct cooking zone.
  • Leave the opposite side off. This will be your indirect cooking zone, which will use the heat from the direct side when the lid is shut – like an oven.

 Prepping the Wings

  • Take the wings and rinse them.
  • Pat them dry and place in a mixing bowl.
  • Season liberally with Fox Bros. Dry Rub.
  • Toss the wings with your hands to make sure the rub is evenly coated.)

Cooking the Wings

  • Take the wings out to the grill, and place them on the direct cooking zone – evenly spaced and not touching one another. Make sure not to crowd them. If you can’t get all 24 wings on the direct cook zone at one time, then split up the cooking.
  • This is where you will char the wings, giving them that great grill color. You don’t want to burn the wings, so keep an eye on them. After several minutes flip the wings over. Crack open a beer and enjoy it cold, while still keeping a close eye on your wings.
  • Once the wings have good char color on both sides, move them to the indirect zone. Close the lid, and the wings will finish cooking here – as if they were in an oven. After this, crack open that second beer and relax.
  • When the wings reach 160 degrees, grab the bowl of Fox Bros. Original Barbecue Sauce and your basting brush. Baste both sides of the wings liberally.
  • Close the lid and let the wings cook for 5 more minutes. Drink more beer.
  • After 5 minutes, you can either pull off the wings, or repeat the basting step for a saucier, stickier wing. Remove the wings from the grill.
  • Allow 5-10 mins to cool, place the wings on a plate and enjoy!
Outfield sign overall kisscam

Gas South is proud to support the Atlanta Braves as our hometown team. As the official natural gas provider for the Braves, our partnership has been a “home run” since 2008.

With the inaugural season at SunTrust Park in full swing, there’s great excitement surrounding the Braves. Recently, President and CEO, Kevin Greiner, discussed baseball, branding and relationship building at the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Business of Sports Summit.

Kevin talked about our successful partnership with the Braves and our “Bring the Heat” campaign. Through this campaign, Gas South donates $25 to a local nonprofit each time a Braves pitcher strikes out an opponent throughout the summer. Each time one of the Braves pitchers “brings the heat,” our community wins.

The designated beneficiary for April and May is the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. The United Way of Greater Atlanta will receive donations for June and July, and The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta is the recipient for August and September.

In addition to our “Bring the Heat” campaign, Braves fans can get involved in a more interactive way throughout the season. During select games during the season, fans can tweet their seat number using #GasSouthKissCam for a chance to make it on the jumbotron! Always wanted to get on the big screen? Well, here’s your chance!

 

tweet your seat photo

Last season Bring the Heat raised more than $61,000 for local nonprofits, and we hope the team and pitchers are even more successful this season!

Read more about Gas South, the Braves and our involvement with Live! at the Battery in this Atlanta Business Chronicle article.

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It’s the beginning of a new era in baseball history, and Gas South is excited to launch our 10th season as the Atlanta Braves’ official natural gas provider. To mark the team’s homecoming, we’re offering several opportunities for you to secure tickets and join us in cheering on the Braves at SunTrust Park.

Atlanta Braves outfield banner with Gas South

Score Free Braves Tickets: As a new Gas South customer, you’re eligible to receive two FREE Terrace Corner tickets to a Braves home game when you enroll online at gassouth.com/braves. Or, simply call 1-855-GAS-SOUTH (427-7688) and mention promo code BRAVES.

Of course, our current customers can also get free tickets. Through our fabulous Pick Your Perk program, Gas South customers are eligible to receive two FREE Grandstand Infield tickets to a Braves home game. Pick one perk per year — and join us in cheering on our home team. For more information on our Braves perk and perks for other favorite Georgia attractions, visit www.gassouth.com/perks.

Braves Ticket Discounts: Coming soon, Gas South customers may save 20% on tickets to Monday through Thursday games throughout the season. Visit www.gassouth.com/offers for more information and choose from three seating options with this discount.

Braves VIP Experience: Starting April 25th, we’ll have a contest for two lucky winners to receive a Braves VIP Experience package, which includes four home game tickets and one parking pass, a private tour of SunTrust Park, batting practice viewing (from the field!) and a Braves goodie bag.

Gas South Kiss Cam: Pucker up, Braves fans! While you’re at the game, tweet your selfie and your seat number using #GasSouthKissCam for a chance to capture your loveable moment on the big screen! Chosen lovebirds will receive their keepsake video from the Braves within 48 hours. Be sure to share your video using #GasSouthKissCam!

Pitching Match-Ups: Gas South is excited to bring Braves fans pitching match-ups on digital outdoor boards this season as they travel to SunTrust Park. We’ll announce starting pitchers for home games to fans traveling along I-285 and I-75 all season long.

Bring the Heat: Gas South is proud to Bring the Heat again this year by donating $25 for every strikeout recorded by a Braves pitcher. More strikeouts mean more money raised for our charitable partners like the YMCA, the United Way and the Salvation Army. Last year, the Atlanta Braves and Gas South raised $61,350 for charity through the program. Since its inception, Bring the Heat has raised more than $311,000, with funds going to projects aimed at improving the communities where we live, work and play.

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a view of earth from outer space

As the world’s population grows, it’s only natural that energy use would too. But resources for making energy are limited. It’s lucky there are those on the lookout for alternative energy sources, even if some methods seem a bit far out.

For fun, let’s take a gander at some of the weirder options scientists are checking in to:

Solar Wind: Scientists say there’s enough energy flowing in streams of particles from our sun to meet all of our energy needs for as long as the sun burns. To harvest it, we’d have to build a solar sail in space thousands of miles wide. A satellite, in true science fiction style, would then laser beam the energy down to Earth. So what’s the hold up? We don’t know how to make a laser beam that can handle the job. But we’re working on it.

Good Vibrations: A diligent search for energy alternatives means not overlooking the small stuff. And that’s why some researchers put a lot of effort into technology that can glean energy from such things as vibrations. Examples include floor tiles that make electricity from shuffling feet and cell phones that charge themselves on soundwaves. Scientists have even made fiber that makes electricity when it’s twisted and bent. Think what that means for yoga pants! These methods might not ever power a city, but every little bit makes a difference in becoming more sustainable.

Green Slime: Algae—you know, the green stuff that builds up in your pool—is a serious contender as a world energy source. Scientists are working with algae to develop cleaner and greener biofuels that could one day heat homes and power planes and cars. Algae is easy to produce, and it’s 100 percent natural. The oil it makes is relatively easy to turn into fuel, too.

At Gas South, we embrace innovation. We know it can change the world for the better and maybe put us in a place where our energy sources truly are boundless.

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In recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, MLK Day of Service events are held nationwide. On Monday, January 16, we once again spent the day on – not off – as more than 50 Gas South employees and their family members volunteered with A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab Boulevard location.

 

 

Gas South volunteers

Volunteers spent the day with residents – decorating doors for Valentine's Day, helping residents create no sew blankets, downloading music and distributing iPods, assisting with BINGO and providing swag bags for more than 238 residents and staff of A. G. Rhodes. At the request of the staff, the MLK Day activities culminated with a sing-a-long. Aided by the center’s music therapist, employees and families reminisced and performed musical selections that the residents could identify with.

A.G. Rhodes is Atlanta’s and Marietta’s top nursing home provider of senior rehabilitation services and long-term care. As a not-for-profit organization, A.G. Rhodes provides the highest standard of care, which includes post-surgical recovery, therapeutic rehabilitation, and skilled nursing.

We’re thankful for the opportunity to share our time with A.G. Rhodes and support their mission. It’s our first of many volunteer days in 2017 and a meaningful touchpoint for our ongoing community outreach program, Gas South Cares. Here’s to moving us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community."

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In 2016, Gas South celebrated its 10th year of business, and it proved a pivotal one for the company.

 

GS logo celebrating 10 years

We’re committed to cultivating a top workplace environment, providing exceptional customer service and supporting our local community. Here are 10 accomplishments from our 10th year that reaffirm our commitment to our culture, customers and the community:

Culture

  1. We earned a coveted spot on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s 2016 Top Workplaces for the first time. More than 2,500 companies and organizations applied and ultimately 165 were recognized, including Gas South. The rankings were based entirely on responses from an anonymous employee survey.
  2. We introduced a $15 minimum wage for all employees – more than double the federal rate and nearly triple Georgia’s minimum wage. The change resulted in pay increases for approximately 25 percent of the company’s workforce and most significantly impacted employees in Gas South’s customer care department.
  3. We celebrated our accomplishments with a 10-day event commemorating Gas South’s 10-year anniversary. The event series, “10 Days of Gas South,” included a daily theme to recognize and reward employees for their hard work and dedication. This campaign was recognized with a 2016 Phoenix Award from the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Customers

  1. We made major strides with our customer care transformation – moving from a transactional mindset to a focus on building amazing long-term customer relationships. This included an internal reorganization that moved all customer calls out of the sales organization and into the customer care organization to improve our commitment to providing the best customer service.
  2. We improved our customer communications to be more proactive, informative and actionable. Our locally-based customer care team continues to assist customers by phone as well as increasingly through social media channels.
  3. We continued to expand our increasingly popular Pick Your Perk program. We added new Pick Your Perk options, and we are increasingly communicating this program through multiple channels. We even expanded our great discounts for local attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain Park and the Atlanta Ballet with more promo codes and deals for our valued customers.

Community

  1. We sponsored the fifth annual Charity Cornhole Challenge at SweetWater 420 Fest, awarding the $10,000 grand prize to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the Southeast, as the tournament winner.
  2. We partnered with Cobb EMC to provide a Home Energy Efficiency Makeover worth approximately $20k. The makeover winners, Wes and Shannon Pilgrim, received new energy-efficient appliances, a bill credit from Cobb EMC, two years of free natural gas service from Gas South, and a new HVAC unit, water heater, insulation and duct work from Cobb Heating and Air Association members.
  3. For the sixth year, Gas South’s Bring the Heat campaign raised money for local nonprofits. This year, Braves pitchers threw a total of 1,227 strikeouts, resulting in $61,350 raised for The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta.
  4. We participated in Hands On Atlanta Day where 50 Gas South employees volunteered a total of 200 hours at Camp Timber Ridge in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. We helped spruce up the campground – chopping wood, clearing roadways, putting up new tents and painting pavilions.                                                       

As we reflect on our accomplishments in 2016, we’re excited for our 11th year and everything that is to come in 2017!

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natural gas pipelines

Natural gas has been shaping humanity for a long time. In the early days of recorded history, ancient Persians were inspired to worship fires sparked by lightning in natural gas seeps in Iran.

In Greece, the flames of the “unquenchable fire” in Delphi are credited to a natural gas fault just below the famous temple. It was there that the Delphic Oracle spoke of her visions, which helped believers determine when to plant crops or go to war. New theories suggest the Oracle’s insight may have been due to breathing in the natural gas fumes.

Centuries later, the Chinese had figured out a crude way to pipe natural gas through bamboo. The gas was stored in barrels and used as fuel to boil seawater. This helped them extract the salt, which became an important trade item.

In the late 1700s, Britain became the first country to commercialize natural gas, though this resource didn’t come from underground. Britain made its gas artificially from coal. It was used to light houses and streetlights.

America, too, was beginning to discover the good of natural gas at about this time. In 1816, Baltimore, Maryland, became the first U.S. city to light its streets this way with gas imported from Britain.

A few years later, William Hart became the first to harvest natural gas in the U.S. when he dug a shallow well in Fredonia, New York. Hart’s efforts inspired the creation of the Fredonia Gas Light Company. Founded in 1858, it was the first natural gas company in America.

In 1885, Robert Bunsen created a burner that mixed air with natural gas. The device, a Bunsen burner, allowed gas to be used to heat homes, cook and run other appliances. It was also adapted to industrial settings. As gas line infrastructure was put into place, natural gas became more and more common in the U.S. as a source of energy. And its popularity continues to grow.

Today, natural gas generates 33 percent of the electricity in the U.S. And that number is expected to rise as coal is gradually phased out as a source of energy. Natural gas is relatively inexpensive and clean burning. Combined with renewables like solar and wind power, natural gas becomes a big part of creating a sustainable future.

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Cooler weather means football, friends, family – and food. This fall and winter, channel your inner chef by using natural gas to prepare your holiday feasts. From ovens and ranges to grills, here are five reasons why you should cook with natural gas.

cooking in the kitchen

Less Time in the Kitchen
Imagine it’s the third down in the fourth quarter, and your favorite team is just a few points away from taking the lead – but where are you? Hopefully, not in the kitchen! Thankfully, ranges and ovens powered with natural gas heat up instantly, while electric stoves do not. The roast will be out of the oven in plenty of time for you to catch the winning touchdown.

More Precision and Control
Natural gas offers more precision and control, which even amateur chefs can appreciate. Plus, when cooking with natural gas, you can keep your food on the range with the flame off without the worry of overcooking. It’s an easy way to keep your signature dish warm as you and your family go back for seconds.

Keeps on Cooking
What if the power goes out? Keep calm and cook on! There’s no need to order a pizza. If you have a natural gas powered oven, the food keeps on cooking. Your loved ones will still get to enjoy your larger-than-life turkey roasting in the oven. You don’t get that with an electric oven!

Less Preparation
Typically, a charcoal grill requires multiple steps – like lugging a bag of charcoal to the grill, lighting the charcoal, waiting for the flames to settle – and the list goes on. But this isn’t the case with a natural gas grill. You can heat up the grill with a simple flip of a switch.

More Money in Your Pocket
Who doesn’t want to save some extra money during the holidays? If you’re looking to purchase a new oven, consider purchasing one powered by natural gas. Natural gas ovens are typically less expensive than electric ones as an upfront purchase, and using natural gas will also save you money in the long run.

Want to know more about the benefits of cooking with natural gas from a professional chef? Check out this CBS46 Atlanta Plugged In  segment with Gas South customer and head chef Andre Gomez of Porch Light Latin Kitchen in Smyrna as he shows us how to fire things up in the kitchen with natural gas!

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Nearly a century ago, Veteran’s Day was established to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served our country. As Veteran’s Day celebrations take place across metro Atlanta, we took the opportunity to speak with two employees – Ida Susan Graham and Judge Montgomery – about their service and what Gas South is doing for veterans.

 

 

Gas South Employees and CEO Kevin Greiner

How is Gas South committed to honoring our veterans?

Judge Montgomery: We offer special deals and discounts for those who served and still serve our country. As a special “thank you” to the men and women in our armed forces, Gas South provides a 2-cent per therm discount on both variable and fixed rate plans for veterans and active military personnel. And we won’t charge you a deposit to setup your service.

Ida Susan Graham: We encourage vets and active duty personnel to take advantage of the discount, particularly with colder weather around the corner. Especially since it has been predicted that there will be an increase in natural gas bills due to colder weather headed our way this winter.

Other than the everyday deals and discounts, how else does Gas South pay it forward to veterans?

Judge: Gas South is committed to making a difference in the community year-round. This year Gas South gifted a Marine and his wife an energy efficient makeover in partnership with Cobb EMC and the Cobb Heating and Air Association. The total value was an impressive $20 thousand, and they received two years of free natural gas from Gas South!

Ida Susan: Wes and Shannon Pilgrim of Marietta, Georgia, were nominated by their neighbors. Wes is known in his neighborhood as the type who would do anything to help – and it was great to be able to help him in return.

As a Gas South employee, what is the company doing to salute veterans?

Ida Susan: I feel blessed to work for a company that truly takes care of their employees. This year Gas South veteran employees have been given Veterans Day off, so we can spend time with our families. It’s a great way for Gas South to take that extra step to show they care.

Judge: Kevin Greiner, president and CEO, also personally thanked each one of us and presented us with a gift to show his appreciation of our service.

As veterans, how was the transition to Gas South?

Judge: The military gave me a higher sense of discipline and accountability. After serving nine years in the military, I’ve learned to adapt to my surroundings – and I’ve learned to apply the same discipline and accountability to my position at Gas South.

Ida Susan: I served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army and USAR. My military time has been my life, and without it, my life would have not blossomed into my three flowers – my children. I served in many places and learned so much. It’s truly helped me to be the leader I am today.

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Gas South and Cobb EMC sponsored the seventh annual Literacy Week, beginning October 24th. The week-long celebration brought the stories printed in children’s favorite books to life. During Literacy Week, 13 children’s book authors read to 24,483 students in 43 schools across metro Atlanta.

 

 

Gas South presents literacy week

Local author Chris Rumble read his book Adventures of Uncle Stinky, a series of highly-illustrated stories about an unlikely superhero, to Gas South’s partner school Norton Park Elementary.  Celebrated children’s book author and poet, Robyn Hood Black, read to our other partner school Heritage Academy. Even the Braves’ mascot, Homer, showed up to celebrate Literacy Week!

In 2014, 14 percent of the population was illiterate according to the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy. Gas South is proud to partner with Cobb EMC to support local schools and to help foster a love for reading in children.

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We spoke to Brenda Turner, residential channel coordinator, to learn more about Hands on Atlanta Day and what it means to her to volunteer in the communities where we live, work and play.

By: Brenda Turner

One of my favorite things about being a Gas South employee is the company’s dedication to giving back to the community. We participate in many local service programs year-round, and most recently, I had the opportunity to lead Hands On Day Atlanta Day 2016 – the largest and most prestigious corporate volunteer day of service in Atlanta.

 

Gas South volunteers

Approximately 50 Gas South employees volunteered a total of 200 hours at Camp Timber Ridge in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. We helped spruce up the campground – chopping wood, clearing roadways, putting up new tents and painting pavilions.

Though it may be what they’re best known for, the Girl Scouts do a lot more than sell delicious cookies – just like Gas South does more than market natural gas! But don’t take my word for it. Check out this short video about our experience volunteering with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta for Hands on Atlanta Day.

 

At a recent Cobb Chamber event, I shared my perspectives as a local business leader on how Cobb County is attracting and cultivating the next generation of leaders. The county has a legacy of leadership, and it’s one we hope to continue through the recent influx of millennials and the overall boom in economic activity.

 

cobb chamber photo

From 2010 to 2015, the millennial population in the Cumberland area alone has increased by about 32 percent, making this the fastest growing millennial population in metro Atlanta. Cobb County has also been ranked one of the top millennial suburbs based on the number of millennial residents, job opportunities, and access to housing, restaurants and other nearby entertainment venues.

Drawing from these data points and my personal experience, here’s why Cobb County is a great place for millennials to work, live and play.

Work: Business is booming, and opportunities are endless for the millennial workforce. According to the Cobb Chamber’s 2016 Economic Development Guide, the county created and retained nearly 5,225 jobs with an estimated $313 million in new investments in 2015. Comcast, The Home Depot, RaceTrac, The Weather Channel and now the Atlanta Braves all call Cobb home, and so does Gas South. In 2006, we selected Cobb’s Cumberland area for our headquarters, and we continue to grow where we’re planted. In 2014, we extended our lease through 2025 and doubled our office space to accommodate our growth as we insourced our customer care team. Within the walls of our organization, 40 percent of our workforce falls in the millennial cohort.

Live: With a cost of living below the national average, there’s no shortage of affordable housing options in Cobb. With its recreational amenities, rich arts community, top-notch educational institutions and transportation options, the Cobb County lifestyle is luring millennials, including many of our team members. Since 2013, 6,800 new residential units are either under construction or awaiting zoning approval. Many of these new projects involve mixed-use developments, such as The Battery Atlanta and Jamestown’s Riverview Landing, which make it easier than ever for millennial residents to have it all in a close proximity to where they live and work.

Play: For millennials that work hard and play hard, Cobb boasts more than 100 parks, the Cobb Energy Centre and plenty of local spots to meet up with friends. Not to mention, SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta, which are arguably the most notable projects in Cobb’s history. The new developments are already attracting quality investment. Improvements are underway to address traffic concerns and increase walkability, in addition to the benefits of increasing the tax base and creating new jobs.  From The Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre and King’s Bowling alley, to chef-driven restaurant concepts by Ford Fry and Linton Hopkins, it’s not news breaking to say that this will be a go-to destination.

Gas South is fortunate to have made Cobb County our home for our first 10 years business, and we are even more bullish as we enter our second decade as a corporate citizen.

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There are certain moments as a business leader when you can pause and feel really proud about the work your company is doing. For me, yesterday was one of those days as we announced Gas South’s commitment to providing a living wage for all employees.

Beginning September 1, all hourly Gas South employees will earn a minimum wage of $15 per hour, which is more than double the federal rate. The Atlanta Business Chronicle first reported on the story, and the positive news has echoed throughout the local media landscape. We appreciate the support and how this announcement has spread through our community.

The decision to increase the minimum wage for hourly employees at Gas South was a simple one. It’s our goal to always provide an exceptional customer experience. To do that, we must be a top place to work with a motivating environment for our employees.

Our leadership team understands that exceptional service is made possible only by the hard work and commitment of our employees – the people who live out our commitment to customer service with the utmost efficiency and integrity. They deserve fair, competitive compensation for their work, and excellent pay along with benefits like health care, paid time off, and retirement contributions are all part of what makes Gas South a great place to work.

To sum, our wage increase boils down neatly to this:

  • Approximately 25 percent of the company’s overall workforce will see an increase in pay, specifically employees working in our customer care department.
  • The average wage increase among those affected is four percent with a maximum increase of 8.3 percent.

I’d also like to note to customers that this change will benefit them as well. Our rates will be just as competitive as they have always been, and we’ll continue to provide unparalleled value to our customers. In fact, we believe that even as we raise our hourly pay, our costs of doing business will go down. That’s because a $15 minimum wage will allow us to attract and retain the very best customer care employees, providing them with greater financial security and ultimately enhancing productivity. Therefore, we see a $15 minimum wage for our team members as a win for the company, our employees and our customers.

At the end of the day, each business has to make decisions based on what is right and what is possible within its own scope. Our decision to commit to a $15 minimum wage for our employees is not a political statement; it’s a Gas South statement. At Gas South, ensuring that each member of our team earns a living wage is a priority and it’s something that makes good business sense for our company.

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It Pays to Schedule Your Reconnection Date Early!

These days, you’re probably wearing shades and shorts, lathered in sunscreen, grilling out, and trying to stay cool during Georgia’s unforgiving summer heat. So, let’s assume that you haven’t been thinking about your natural gas service much lately. That’s understandable – you’re focused on today’s realities.

But, with football and the next season of the Walking Dead around the corner, aren’t you thinking ahead to the fall anyway? Then let’s get you thinking about natural gas again because we want to save you time, money and potential hassle.

 

natural gas meter

So here are a couple of tips to ensuring a stress-free, money-smart way to reconnect with your old flame (meaning Gas South, of course):

1. Schedule your reconnection date at your earliest convenience. You’ve heard the one about the early bird and the worm. And the same applies to your natural gas service. A lot of customers wait until it gets cold to schedule their service, by which time you may find yourself duking it out with others for a reconnection date that works for you. Worse, you could also miss out on saving instant money! That’s because Gas South is waiving the $105 reconnection fee for all customers who schedule their reconnection date by September 15th. So do the smart thing: contact us now, save the money, and feel good knowing that your home will be nice and cozy come October.

2. Choose a fixed rate plan. If you know us, then you know we’ll almost always tell you to select a fixed rate over a variable rate, unless you’re moving soon. Fixed rates stay the same, are better value, and ours are some of the most competitive available.

3. Do whatever you like -- hike Stone Mountain, go to the opera, catch a Braves game. Your to-do list got a little lighter, and we’d be happy to treat you to free tickets for some great Atlanta-area entertainment through our Pick Your Perk program – another cool thing about being a Gas South customer.

So don’t wait another day to schedule your reconnection date. Call or visit before September 15th. That way, when it gets cold, you won’t have to think about your natural gas.

Call: 1-888-290-4727 and mention SEASONAL.
Visit: gas-south.com/seasonal

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gas flame

The Gas South Guide

Getting utilities up and running can be a hassle. We get it — we’ve been there! There’s research to be done, calls to be made and sometimes, a lot of time sitting on hold.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. At Gas South, we’re here to make it easier.

Whether you’ve just moved or you simply need to turn your service back on, you’re going to need natural gas service at some point. Fortunately, the process of getting your gas turned on can be a cinch! Just use this simple, four-step guide and you’ll be ready to go in no time.

  1. Check for service availability in your area

Not every natural gas provider serves all areas of the state, so it’s important to check for service availability before you are set on one provider. Most providers post this information directly on their website. You can learn more about natural gas rate plans available to you if you're moving to Georgia.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re signing with Gas South, you could qualify for an additional discount if your home or apartment falls within a territory covered by our county, city and EMC programs.

  1. Do your research on natural gas providers

Georgia is unique in that it’s a deregulated gas industry. This means that you can choose a provider for your natural gas, instead of having only one option and I being chosen for you.

The good news is that there are a lot of options out there to choose from, and Gas South stands out among the providers…if we do say so ourselves.

We won’t go on and on about our own services — you can learn all about those on our rates and plans page. But we will tell you that whichever provider you choose, they shouldn’t charge you a deposit to establish service. With Gas South, this can save you up to $150. Pretty cool, huh?

  1. Determine how long you need your natural gas service turned on at your residence

Once you’ve found a provider you like, you’ll want to think about how long you need service. When you think about utilities, you may not be thinking about the timeframe during which you’ll be using them, but this can have a big impact on the type of rate plan you choose, and the price you pay!

By nailing down a specific timeline, you’ll know which type of rate plan to choose right off the bat – variable or fixed (keep in mind not all providers feature both).

If you’re going to be a resident for longer than six months, a fixed rate can save you money because currently, fixed rates are lower than variable rates. Variable rates fluctuate with the natural gas markets, while fixed rates stay the same throughout your entire service period. Fixed rates can offer significant savings over a long period of time, especially during the high consumption months of winter.

  1. Pick a turn-on date that fits your schedule

Once you have your provider picked out, it’s time to schedule your natural gas turn on date and time. If your natural gas is completely turned off, a technician needs to come to your house to turn it on. If the gas is already on, all the tech needs to do is check the meter and make sure everything is up and running correctly, and safely.

With Gas South, you can schedule your turn on date 90 days in advance, which means you can lock in a great rate today, all while having ample time to prepare for winter weather. All you have to do is schedule your turn on date and leave the rest to us!

There you have it! Now that you have the steps down, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Gas South Customer Care Representative if you have any additional questions, or if you want more information on our rates and plans!

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As an HR professional in the natural gas industry, drawing the connection between a career pipeline and a gas pipeline was an ‘aha’ moment – and a teachable lesson that really resonated with me. Here’s an excerpt from my recent presentation at the Women's Energy Network, Greater Atlanta Chapter meeting on four professional development lessons from a natural gas pipeline.

Group of women in Women's Energy Network
  1. Maintenance: Over time, gas pipelines require regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure they continue to safely and properly deliver natural gas to homes and businesses. Most industries are ever-changing, which requires you to continually fine-tune your skills and hone your craft to stay on top of your game. Every day is an opportunity to continue learning and finding ways to add more value.
  1. Growth: Maintenance alone isn’t enough – gas pipelines need to be primed for long-term sustainability so they continue to serve the growing needs. Similarly, your career needs to be targeted for growth opportunities. As you move up the corporate ladder from refining skills to refining behaviors, you’ll polish more nuanced competencies such as interpersonal skills, organization habits and critical thinking.
  1. Supply and Demand: As supply and demand have leveled out recently, so has the pricing of natural gas. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for today’s job market – especially in the metro Atlanta area where the supply of job candidates far outweighs the demand for available positions. If you find yourself hitting a road block in your career path, take a risk and find a new area where the demand is high but the supply is low. I’ve done this with my career, and it’s taken me in new, exciting directions from lobbying to PR.
  1. High Quality Service: Natural gas is a commodity, which makes it a very competitive environment for the 13 natural gas marketers in Georgia. At Gas South, we differentiate ourselves by providing an exceptional customer experience and always going above and beyond for our customers. Consistently producing a top quality work product and lightening the load for others around you will help you standout in your career and get a leg up on the competition.
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During the summer, many children go without a nutritious lunch that’s normally provided at school. Can you imagine? Feeling the excitement of summer, but not knowing if you’re going to eat that day? Or, if you’re a parent, you may have to leave your kids at home to go to work and you don’t know if they will eat that day. It’s something that no child or parent should have to worry about.

On July 20th, employees took a break from their normal routine to pack 1,215 lunches for Atlanta students who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year. The Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program is powered by Action Ministries and it ensures that these children are fed during the summer and school breaks. Unlike other similar programs, the organization delivers the lunches to the children in their neighborhoods which removes the possible issue of lack of access to transportation.

For the past five years, Gas South has packed lunches for this standout program and it’s always a great time!

The lunches were delivered to children who live in apartments in the Cascade Corridor, as well as apartments near Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The lunches included a PB&J sandwich, chips, water, fruit snacks and fruit cups.

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It's mid-summer and everyone is working hard to get in shape and make healthy decisions to look and feel their best! Gas South’s Wellness Committee works year-round to provide employees with educational tools and resources so they are able to become the best version of themselves. For this month’s Employee Spotlight, we spoke with Harli Gawronski, human resources coordinator, to learn more about the committee, their initiatives and why it’s important to provide employees with tools to succeed. Harli leads the Wellness Committee which is a team of six employees from different departments at Gas South.

Gas South Wellness Committee

When did the Wellness Committee start?

The committee started about three years ago in order to provide Gas South employees with more awareness about healthy lifestyle choices.

Why was the Wellness Committee created?

It was originally created to help employees get up and move, considering the majority of our employee sit at a desk all day. Since the start three years ago, we now have more concrete goals, leadership buy-in, employee engagement, participation and focus. We are currently working through a three-year implementation plan that aims to encourage employees to take more responsibility in managing their health and wellness. In 2015, we raised awareness about being healthy and the costs when employees make poor lifestyle choices. In 2016, we are requiring employees to take responsibility for themselves – employees will pay less for coverage by knowing their health numbers, and engaging in activities to get their numbers in the healthy range. In 2017, employees will receive financial rewards towards their medical coverage premiums tied to the results of the biometric screening, rather than just participating in the screening.

What are the focus areas and goals of the committee this year?

Since we want employees to take the initiative to be responsible for their healthy or unhealthy lifestyle decisions, we are focusing on nutrition in order to address, and then impact, the risk categories from our biometric screens – which take into consideration BMI and waist circumference.

What are the specific initiatives that will be implemented to reach those goals?

Every other month, we bring a local vegetable farmer into the office to encourage employees to investigate healthy eating options.  We also provide employees with a voucher so they do not need to spend any of their own money to make a purchase, unless they choose to purchase additional produce. We also continue to have fruit delivered every other month to create a culture of healthy eating.

Another initiative, the Wellness in Action Run/Walk Program, promotes movement and physical activity. We’re encouraging Gas South employees to walk or run in local road races throughout the year. Gas South sponsors a walk/run each month for up to ten Gas South employees and we have already had a few successful walks/runs to date!

Gas South also recently gave all employees portion plates to correspond with our initiative to improve and educate employees about nutrition’s role in a healthy lifestyle. The plate stresses healthy portion sizes and is split up into three sections – fruits and vegetables, grains, and proteins.

Do you have any employee challenges planned?

We are implementing a nutrition challenge in July and a weight loss challenge at the beginning of the year.

Why does wellness play such an important role at corporations?

Wellness can impact so many different areas of a corporation from retention to engagement to work/life balance. Wellness is also a major driver or healthcare costs.

Why is it important to you, personally, to be involved with the Wellness Committee?

To me, wellness is a lifestyle and I feel very passionate about it. Wellness is not only physical, but also mental and spiritual. It’s a holistic experience that bleeds into every part of one’s life. Secondly, being part of the Wellness Committee enables me to impact other people’s lives and for that, I’m very grateful.

Wellness committee members include:

Harli Gawronski
Julie Moffitt
Jonna Tiitinen
Denise Johnson
Tamika Smith
Brian Dugas
Tonya Long (Millennium Benefits)

Gas South employee photo with check

Thirteen metro Atlanta nonprofits participated in our fifth annual Charity Cornhole Challenge at SweetWater 420 Fest on Saturday, April 23 at Centennial Olympic Park. The Atlanta Community Food Bank won in the championship showdown against Georgia Jack Russell Rescue, Adoption & Sanctuary.

Gas South awarded the $10,000 prize to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the Southeast. Each year, the nonprofit connects more than 750,000 people with over 60 million pounds of food – equating to more than 50 million meals. The $10,000 will provide 40,000 meals to families in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

In addition to the $10,000 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Gas South also donated $4,000 to Georgia Jack Russell Rescue for second place and $2,000 to both United Way and The Giving Kitchen for third and fourth place. The money for the donation was raised at our Charity Shindig event that was held at SweetWater Brewery last month, as well as proceeds raised during 420 Fest through T-shirt and hat donations.

 

Cornhole bracket

“The Charity Cornhole Challenge is one of my favorite events because it’s a fun way to rally the community together for a good cause,” said Chris Coan, Gas South vice president and general manager of business and government markets. “Gas South is an environmentally conscious company, and we’re committed to making a local impact. Because of that, we look for opportunities to align our brand with like-minded organizations, which is why we continue to partner with SweetWater year over year.”

Through our annual cornhole sponsorship, Gas South has raised more than $55,000 for local nonprofits.

"We are so grateful to be the recipients of the Cornhole Challenge," said Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "The generous contribution will help us feed our neighbors in need. Each year, we are able to distribute enough food to provide more than 50 million meals for the hungry. We couldn't do it without strong support from our community, including our partners at Gas South. We are already practicing to defend our title next year!"

Thank you to everyone that helped support the tournament – we had a great turnout! We’re already looking forward to next year’s competition!

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question mark on chalk board

Have You Ever Wondered What The Different Charges On Your Natural Gas Bill Are For, And Why You Have Them? We’re Here To Explain.

Gas Charge:

This is the cost of the natural gas you and your family used during the billing period.

AGLC Base Charges:

These charges are assessed by the Atlanta Gas Light Company for the costs of delivering the natural gas to your home, reading your meter and responding to emergencies. They are approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission and passed through to you without any markup from us.

These charges aren’t totally based on your usage, so they may be higher in some months and lower than others.

Customer Service Fee:

This is an administrative fee for maintaining your account, plus the hard work that all of our departments and employees put in each day to make this experience the best that they can for you! 

Taxes:

We know you know what these are, but to finish off our explanation, we pass along any taxes that apply in your area.

There Are Two More Possible (But Avoidable) Fees That You May See On Your Bill.

Late Fee:

If your balance isn’t paid by the due date, a $10 late fee (or 1.5% of the unpaid balance, whichever is greater) will be applied to your account.

Returned Payment Fee:

A $30 fee will be charged to your account for all returned payments.

We all encounter financial challenges from time to time, so remember we offer payment arrangements and can put you in touch with energy assistance programs if you ever need assistance paying your bill.

For more information, see how to read your natural gas bill.

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Gas South employees and the top work place award

Last month, Gas South was named one of Atlanta’s best places to work by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). The award was a deserving recognition of our unique culture that values the contributions of all employees. According to the survey, Gas South’s practices of encouraging new ideas and open communication of company decisions received the highest survey scores − earning more than 20 percent above the telecommunication and utility industry category average.

Gas South was the only natural gas provider to make the AJC’s list and one of only two utility companies to receive the recognition - the other being Carroll EMC. So, what makes us different from the rest?

The answer has to do with instilling a clear vision of the company’s values and the role employees play in harnessing its development and growth. Kevin Greiner, president and CEO, refers to this as Vision 2020. Employees described Vision 2020 in the survey responses as a reason the company is a top workplace, with one employee saying, “knowing leadership can get everyone on board to move in the right direction motivates me to want to be part of making it happen.”

 

 

Gas South employees gather in the break room celebrating with cake and balloons.

The AJC and Workplace Dynamics nominated or asked more than 2,500 companies to participate in the contest. Workplace Dynamics, which conducted the survey on behalf of the AJC, then surveyed employees from 275 metro Atlanta companies. Almost 60,000 total workers participated in the survey and in order to be considered, each company was required to have a response rate of at least 35 percent. The survey asked numerous questions about employees’ workplaces including the company has strong values and ethics, new ideas are encouraged, we do things efficiently and well, I feel appreciated, etc. Here are a few of examples of how Gas South employees responded:

“The company has increased my personal growth.”
“I've been given the opportunity to grow and express my opinions.”
“We are one big family and everyone works together!”
“Management is very involved with the company and employees.”
“I admire the strong presence that Gas South has in the community.”

The award is a fitting recognition for the company, especially for employees, as we celebrate our 10 year anniversary! We have quickly gone from a small company of 50 employees, to a market leader with more than 200 employees.

Gas South continues to work toward the company-wide vision of being the #1 natural gas provider in the Southeast, offering the #1 customer experience and being the #1 place to work. With this award, we’re inspired to work harder and make the best even better!

To read more about AJC’s Top Workplaces and to see the entire list, click here.

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On January 4th, we began the 10 Days of Gas South – celebrating the company’s 10 year anniversary! Each day had a theme where employees could share pictures on their personal Twitter accounts using the hashtag #10YearsofGasSouth. Employees who participated in the activities were entered into prize drawings and winners were randomly selected throughout the 10 days. Check out the list below to find out how employees took part in the 10 Days of Gas South!

employee group photo

Day One: 10 Years Ago…
Gas South's first day as a company!

Day Two: Good Deed Day

Employees did good deeds for coworkers today!

Day Three: Health and Wellness Day
Employees showed us how they stay healthy and enjoyed chair massages at the office.

Day Four: #TBT Day Employees wore their favorite 2006 fashion trends!

Day Five: Employees shared pictures in their new 10th anniversary polos!

Day Six: Gas South 10th Anniversary Party

Day Seven: Family and Friends Day – Employees shared pictures of what they do in their free time.

Day Eight: A History of Gas South Day - Check out our old Gas South slogans.

Day Nine: Lunch Buddy Day – Employees enjoyed a catered lunch to keep the celebration rolling!

Day Ten: “10 Things we Love about Gas South” Day

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natural gas pipe

Perhaps you don’t heat your home with natural gas. You use another energy source, and you wonder, “Why should I switch?” A fair question, and we’ll answer it three times.

First, we’ll compare natural gas to heating oil. You may experience problems with oil, including: frequent oil deliveries, unpredictable oil prices, the high cost of maintaining old oil heating equipment, sooty walls, carpeting, furniture and draperies requiring constant cleaning, and a leaky oil tank and the high cost of clean-up.

Natural gas heating offers advantages including: cleaner burning than oil, reliable supply, stable rates through government regulation, higher efficiency, and it’s simple and affordable to switch to natural gas.

Now we’ll offer reasons to choose natural gas instead of electric. A gas furnace delivers air as much as 25 degrees warmer than an electric heat pump, a gas furnace lasts twice as long, 90 percent of natural gas is useful energy in your home compared to 33 percent or less for electric, and a gas water heater reduces carbon dioxide emissions (equivalent to recycling 1.7 tons of waste).

What about natural gas compared to propane? Since propane prices are not regulated, they can rise quickly when supplies get tight in winter. Heating with propane also requires you to have a storage tank on your property, and you have to pay your supplier every time it’s filled. With natural gas, you don’t need a storage tank; we send it to your home through underground pipes, as you need it. And you pay for natural gas only after you use it.

If you’re interested in making the switch to natural gas, you can get more information from contractors in your area.

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On November 11, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the first commemoration of Armistice Day, also known as Veterans Day, to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. According to History.com, there are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States, 7.8 million of those veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), including Gas South’s own Sandra Hamilton, which represents 33% of all living veterans.

To honor the veterans who work at Gas South, we spoke with four employees about their service and what Veterans Day means to them. Don’t miss the opportunity to thank a veteran in your life for the sacrifices they have made for our safety.

 

Gas South employees being appreciated for Veterans day.

Juawana Glass, Navy 

Rank: E-5
Location of service: Mayport, Fla.; Diego Garcis, Chagos Island; Agana, Guam; Atlanta, Ga.
Length of service: 8 years
Wars: Global War on Terrorism
Job/Assignment: Religious Program Specialist (RP), also known as a Chaplain’s assistant
Medals/Citations: Junior Sailor of the Quarter, runner up for Junior Sailor of the Year, President of the Junior Sailor Association, Navy Good Conduct Service Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (for serving during a war time), Overseas Deployment Service Medal (for serving overseas), Humanitarian Service Medal (for continued volunteer work), 9MM Pistol and Sharpshooter Ribbon, 14MM Rifle Sharpshooter, Letter of Commendations (5)

  • What does it mean to you to be a veteran? It means sacrifice! Sacrifice of your family for the dedication to your Country. I am proud to have served the time that I did – I often contemplate returning to duty. The comradery that you get in the military is irreplaceable!

LaTitia “Tish” Winbush, Army

  • Rank: Specialist, E-4
  • Location of service: Charlotte, N.C.
  • Length of service: 6 years
  • Job/Assignment: Unit Supply Specialist
  • What does it mean to you to be a veteran? A veteran to me means that you have separated yourself from the rest of your peers and have done something the normal person wouldn't do for their country. It means that you are willing to give up your life for someone else's and be proud of who you have and will become.

Sandra Hamilton, Air Force

  • Rank: Airman 1st Class
  • Location of service: San Antonio, Texas (Kelly and Lackland Air Force Bases); Fort Collins, Colo.
  • Length of service: 2.4 years
  • Wars: End of Vietnam
  • Job/Assignment: Intelligence Operations Specialist
  • What does it mean to you to be a veteran? Pride and honor to be able to serve our country and protect our freedom.

Stephon White, Army

Rank: Specialist (SPC)
Location of service: Fort Polk, La.
Length of service: 4 years
Wars: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Job/Assignment: Administrative Specialist
Medals/Citations: National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal

  • What does it mean to you to be a veteran? Simply put, it means I had the opportunity to serve and protect the greatest country on earth.

Tiara Allen, Army
Rhonda Garrett, Army
Sandra Clark, Army

Gas South will also be attending the Cobb Chamber 63rd ARMAC Military Appreciation Luncheon on November 16th. The event honors men and women in uniform, and attendees will hear from Congressman Mac Thornberry, Chairman of the House of Armed Services Committee.

Gas South offers a 2-cent per therm discount on Variable and Fixed Rate plans to military veterans and active military personnel.  No deposit is required to establish service. View more information on our natural gas rates and plans page.

Thank you to veterans across the U.S. for their sacrifice and service!

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ribbon cutting

On Thursday, July 30th, Gas South, GAIN® Clean Fuel and Core-Mark opened Cobb County’s first compressed natural gas (CNG) station, located in Smyrna, Georgia. This new addition to the Smyrna community, will fuel a fleet of alternative energy trucks.

CNG is a readily available alternative fuel made by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. Natural gas stations provide fuel for 135,000 vehicles in the U.S., with 20 CNG fuel stations in Georgia alone. Natural gas generates up to 90 percent fewer emissions and costs about 50 percent less than traditional gasoline and diesel.

Gas South’s team has been working hard for the last six years to see CNG become a reality throughout Georgia and in particular, the metro Atlanta area. By opening another CNG fuel station, GAIN Clean Fuel, with support from Gas South, is providing carriers with better access to a domestic energy supply that is both cleaner and cheaper than traditional fuels.

 

truck fueling up

Gas South helps to connect the dots between customers interested in using CNG and station owners, so it’s very important that we do everything we can to make these facilities successful.  Gas South is the largest volume supplier of natural gas for CNG stations in Georgia and we are proud to have a number of facilities across the metro Atlanta area. Another plus to seeing more CNG stations open is that natural gas is abundant, domestic, inexpensive and clean – all huge benefits for our society and our economy.

“Projects like these show how great partnerships can succeed when working toward a common outcome that benefits so many,” said Clean Cities Georgia Board Chair William Cook. “In addition to the many benefits of CNG, fewer emissions will be produced which is good for the environment and for all of us. Plus, utilizing CNG helps create energy independence for America.”

Core-Mark’s commitment to a CNG program began with an initial conversion of its fleet. Today, there are 179 Core-Mark CNG tractors on the road with more planned in the future.

The other three stations in operation through this partnership are located in Aurora, Colorado; Sanford, North Carolina and Forrest City, Arkansas. A fifth station is under construction in Tampa, Florida and is scheduled to be in operation later this summer.

Click here to learn more about Gas South's Compressed Natural Gas Solution.

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Many Atlanta residents are not familiar with The Wren’s Nest, but many people are familiar with the Brer Rabbit stories. The Wren’s Nest was home to the author of the Brer Rabbit stories, Joel Chandler Harris, and it’s now the oldest house museum in Atlanta. Along with tours and special events, The Wren’s Nest also offers a summer publishing program for high school students – the final project for the students is to publish a literary journal. Gas South has teamed up with the nonprofit to help raise awareness about the program and to help fund the journal. We recently spoke with Sue Gilman, executive director of The Wren’s Nest, about the 2015 Optimist Review high school publishing program.

What is your organization’s mission?

The Wren’s Nest serves as an educational resource for the community, the greater Atlanta area and visitors from around the globe by preserving the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris and the heritage of African American folklore through storytelling, tours and student publishing.

 

The Wren's nest group photo

Is there an upcoming initiative you would like to highlight?

Our Optimist Review high school publishing program has produced a literary journal for the past eight summers. This summer we have eight editors in the program who come to the Wren’s Nest twice a week to learn about the publishing industry from professional writers, designers and editors. The students are also exposed to businesses, careers and behind-the-scene tours at local organizations such as CNN, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Creative Loafing.

This summer students are from Woodward Academy, Wesleyan School, DeKalb School of the Arts, Decatur High School, Dunwoody High School, Carver Early College, Georgia Cyber Academy and Riverwood International Charter School. The editors have already determined the title of the journal, Even After This Brief Eternity, which will focus on human rights and social justice issues. In order to be published in the journal, high school students from around Metro Atlanta submit fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual art pieces. The final product is edited and curated by our student editors and then released at the Decatur Book Festival on Labor Day weekend. Participation in the program is free, but very competitive, for editors and contributors.

Why is your mission important?

Students who have been editors in this program have gone on to pursue English, journalism and creative writing degrees at Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Brown, Harvard, Kenyon and Wake Forest. A handful of our first year editors recently graduated from Emory and the University of Georgia and now work in the Atlanta area.

Kalin Thomas, program director added, "It’s a joy to work with such intelligent and creative young students. They all have excellent writing and leadership experience, from editing their school journal to writing for the yearbook. When I sit and listen to them brainstorm and debate the issues of today, it gives me confidence that our future is in good hands.”

How has Gas South’s partnership benefitted your organization?

Gas South’s financial support allowed the Wren’s Nest to extend the program for another summer. The sponsorship covered the cost of printing the journal and helped us to recruit and secure a great team of student editors, from a variety of high schools, to run the project.

 

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Gas South and The Silverton Foundation have recently partnered to help families in need due to large, unexpected costs. We spoke with Josh Moffitt, president and founder of The Silverton Foundation, to learn more about The Foundation and how the partnership is making a difference in the community.

 

The Silverton Foundation logo

What is your organization’s mission?  

When your child has a severe medical condition or illness, priorities shift in order to do whatever it takes to care for your child. Whether it’s hospital visits, long-term hospitalization or ongoing medical life-saving treatment, those costs can add up quickly and many people struggle to handle them. The Silverton Foundation was established to lessen the things families have to worry about during difficult times. The Foundation provides mortgage, rent or short-term housing payments to families with chronically ill children. We help families maintain their homes and reduce financial and emotional burdens, allowing parents to focus on getting their child better so they can return home.

Why is your organization’s mission important?   

Families lose their homes for many reasons, but the two biggest reasons are because of a loss of job or health issues. In our families’ cases, the situation is even more compounded because it involves the health of their child, and in many cases, we see at least one parent lose their job to care for the child.

Is there an upcoming initiative you would like to highlight? 

We have recently issued a challenge for people to moonwalk across their next finish line! At the end of any road race, graduation, you name it, we want you to take a photo or video of the moonwalk and post it to social media using the #MoonwalkYourFinish hashtag. For every post, our sponsors will make a donation to The Foundation. This is just another fun way for us to raise awareness for our cause!

Our partnership with Gas South has also raised awareness about our program. When you sign up with Gas South, you receive a 2 cent per therm discount and Gas South will also donate $50 a year to our foundation – simple and easy! Click here to watch the video on Facebook to learn more.

How has Gas South’s partnership benefited your organization?

Gas South has been a great partner in getting this initiative off the ground. It’s not only an amazing opportunity to raise awareness, but it has also provided a sustainable funding avenue for our organization – and in turn, our clients save money!

What have Gas South employees done to help? 

Everyone has been very helpful with their time, energy and ideas. Even though we are a new (only three years old) and small organization, Gas South has jumped in and treated us as if we are a national brand.

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Did you know the first Father’s Day was celebrated in 1914? However, it wasn’t until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day an official holiday, that day became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

To honor fathers who work at Gas South, we spoke with a few to find out more about how they celebrate the holiday and what it means to be a dad.

 

Father's of Gas South
  • Kamden Robb, Senior Account Manager, BAGM – Christian (4)
  • Greg Dunavant, Director of Customer Care – James and Woods (1.5)
  • Gary Jensen, Director of IT & PMO – Smith (6) and Collier (4)
  • Derek Outlaw, Customer Care Coach – Diquinne (20), Alexis (19), Dorian (15) and Danika (10)
  • Dion Jones, Customer Service Representative – Azaleya Yvette (8 months)


How has your own dad helped shape how you raise your child/children?

“My dad had a blue collar job and worked long hours for many years to support our family. Because he never got a college degree, he instilled in us the need to push beyond social and financial boundaries to achieve our goals. We may not have had everything when we were growing up but I always felt loved.” – Kamden Robb

“My dad has always been supportive and is an excellent role model for my family.” – Greg Dunavant

“My dad always made an effort to be at all my sporting events and school activities which is something I’ll really try to do with my kids. It’s not always easy so it makes me appreciate his engagement in my life.” – Gary Jensen

“My father was in the Air Force so I received a lot of structure and, as a child, I was also taught responsibility very young. When my father was deployed, it was my job to maintain the lawn and make sure it passed inspection. On military housing if you fail three inspections in one year, the entire family has to move out. From this experience, I’ve placed similar responsibilities on my children. None of those would result in the family having to move if not completed but giving a child responsibilities that involve the well-being of the entire family teaches them that they need to look out for their family. It allows them to feel that they have influence or a position in the family. That’s important.” – Derek Outlaw

“My father deserves credit for everything. From the small handyman jobs around the house to changing the brakes on a car, my dad instilled in me all of the morals and values I live by today. He showed me the importance of quality time and how important a father’s presence is in children’s lives and I will do the same for my daughter.” – Dion Jones

What is one of your favorite things about being a dad?

“I love watching the pure joy in my son’s eyes when he gets to experience something new for the first time. I love having a ‘mini-me’ to do things with and pass on life lessons to.” – Kamden Robb

“I love how excited my kids are to see me when I get home from work.” – Gary Jensen

“Being a dad has made me focus on something other than myself. It’s a lot of responsibility but it also comes with great reward. To see one of my children be successful in a task or to see one of them make a long term goal and follow through with it is a moment of pride that can’t be replaced. Being a dad encourages me to be a better person because I know my kids are looking up to me as an example.” – Derek Outlaw

“My favorite part is the unconditional love your child shows you, and knowing that their life and well-being is determined by your success or failure. It keeps me focused and fuels my fire to become the greatest man I can be.” – Dion Jones

Does your family do anything special for you or for your dad on Father’s Day?

“Typically we spend Father’s Day doing something outside as a family. We like to ride our bikes on the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail. I have a tandem bike that allows my son to sit behind me while I do all the work!” – Kamden Robb

“My family usually gives me the day off. I get to sleep late and they’ll give me a few presents. Since we have a new grill, my oldest daughter will flex her grilling skills! I spend a lot of time on the grill in the spring and summer, and the kids are used to me grilling so it’s great to watch them take what they’ve seen and put it into practice.” – Derek Outlaw

“We take the day to enjoy our time together, talk about funny stories from the past, barbeque and maybe watch Rambo! I always have to watch a manly movie that day!” – Dion Jones

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To honor Gas South moms, we spoke with a few mothers on our staff to learn more about their Mother’s Day plans and what it means to be a mom.

 

Four different women posing with their children for a Mother's day blog post from Gas South.
  • Tiara Allen, Customer Care Representative – daughter Cayla Surai
  • Sheirra Granville, Customer Care Representative – son Alijah Sherrod (13)
  • LaNise Jones, Operations Specialist – son Jordan (6 months)
  • Stephanie Perrone, Senior Marketing Coordinator – daughters Karina (3) and Milania (1)
  • Kimberly Rollins, Customer Care Coach – daughter Jessica (17), and sons Justus (14) and Jacobi (10)

Does your family do anything special for you or for your mom on Mother’s Day?

“Every mother in my family gets together and we cook all the favorite dishes of all the moms in the family.” – Tiara Allen

“Normally I plan Mother’s Day for my mother and mother-in-law and the whole family goes along with what I plan. Since this will be my first Mother’s Day, I have no clue how it will be spent – I have been told it’s all a surprise!” – LaNise Jones

“We have a tradition of having family dinner and spending the day together. My mother lives with me, so my kids and I make sure she is treated special by showering her with gifts and taking her to brunch or dinner. Mother’s Day is a special day for my family because I’m a single mother and my mother has been my backbone! She runs the house and I make sure the needs of the family are met. She is truly a jewel and I’m thankful for all she is in my family’s life.” – Kimberly Rollins

What is one of your favorite things about being a mom?

“The warm hugs, sloppy kisses and bright smiles.” – LaNise Jones

“Watching my daughters’ personalities grow and change on a daily basis. It’s especially fun to witness mine and my husband’s characteristics and quirks emerge in their personalities – both girls love shoes as much as I do!” – Stephanie Perrone

“I love the laughter of my children. They bring me joy daily. Just to see them engaged, healthy and productive means the world to me. They’re truly my gifts and they make me proud in their studies, behaviors and character.” – Kimberly Rollins

How has your own mom helped shape how you raise your child/children?

“My mom has always been very supportive of everything I’ve been involved in. She tells me often how proud she is of the woman and mother I have become.” – Sheirra Granville

What does it mean to be a mom?

“Being a mother is my greatest accomplishment. I never knew how one small person could give me so much motivation and the unnerving desire to be the best that I can be. I appreciate life and family so much more! I respect my mom and dad for all of the sacrifices that they made for me and it reassures me that I can do the same for my child. Being a mom is awesome and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” – Tiara Allen

“Being a mom is the best feeling in the world. I strive to be the best mom I can be for my son every day. I enjoy the time we spend together and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be a mom. I don’t take the time we spend together for granted and I’ve learned over the years to cherish every moment. Everything I do is to help ensure a better lifestyle for my son and I. He’s my pride and joy and I love him with everything inside of me. It gives me so much joy to hear my son say. ‘My mom is my role model.’ It reassures me that I’m doing something right.” – Sheirra Granville

“Mother’s Day is very special to mothers and my hope is that every mother is appreciated every day, but especially on Mother’s Day. I’m thankful for having an employer that embraces mothers and all the activities we have to do in our roles. It’s truly a blessing to be called ‘mother.’” – Kimberly Rollins

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For the fifth straight year, Gas South’s Bring the Heat™ campaign will donate $25 to a local nonprofit organization each time a Braves pitcher records a strikeout! This year in recognition of the 125th anniversary of the Salvation Army’s “Doing the most good,” we’re donating the money to The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta. By partnering with the Braves for Bring the Heat™, we’re able to fulfill our commitment to giving back to the communities we serve.

Gas South is the Official Natural Gas Provider and Proud Sponsor of the Atlanta Braves and since 2010, the company has contributed more than $235,500 to Georgia nonprofits through Bring the Heat™ − another great reason to cheer when the Braves strikeout the competition.

 

Photo of LED Gas South sign

As you enjoy your hot dog and Cracker Jack’s at Turner Field this season, don’t miss the fireworks from Gas South’s sign in right field signifying another strikeout and another $25 donated to help support the great work the Salvation Army is doing in our community.

Go Braves!

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Gas South is committed to supporting the communities we serve through our Gas South Cares program. Through this program, we partner with some of the most effective nonprofit organizations in the state. Gas South would like to feature one of our most enriching partnerships, one that we are proud to work with all year long.

MUST Ministries is a volunteer-driven organization providing a range of services to needy people, from food and clothing to job training. We recently spoke with Don Crampton of MUST Ministries to learn more about the organization.

 

MUST ministries logo

What is your organization’s mission?   

Serving our neighbors in need; transforming lives and communities in response to the call of Christ.

Why is your organization’s mission important?   

MUST Ministries serves close to 34,000 people in eight north Georgia counties. We’re the largest safety net for the poorest, most desperate residents in this region. MUST helps them meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, and clothing, while also providing longer-term resources, like counseling and training needed for employment.

Is there an upcoming initiative you would like to highlight? 

The MUST’s Summer Lunch program serves approximately 5,000 children per day in eight counties. In 2014, 254,000 sack lunches reached hungry children in our 19th year of meeting this tremendous need. Thousands of volunteers made sandwiches, packed lunches, checked sacks, drove lunches to sites, contributed supplies, donated money and partnered in a host of ways to be sure children would not go hungry. [If you’re interested in donating your time to the Summer Lunch program, check out this site.]

How has Gas South’s partnership benefitted your organization?

We are extremely honored to have the support of Gas South for the past five years. Their desire to serve is demonstrated by their actions. Gas South has helped MUST Ministries in all areas, through volunteerism as well as corporate contributions. In particular, Gas South is a sponsor of our two largest fundraising events, the Safe Refuge Gala and the Annual Thanksgiving Day Gobble Jog. Gas South is also a major supporter of our Summer Lunch program and is the lead sponsor for our Step Up Your Game: Getting People Back to Work seminar.

What have Gas South employees done to help MUST Ministries?

Several Gas South employees have volunteered over the years to serve at MUST Ministries. More specifically, Gas South has been one of the lead participants in our employment education area, offering assistance in helping our clients to enhance resume writing skills and prepare for job interviews.

Gas South has worked with MUST Ministries for over five years, and we’d like to encourage you to get involved with the organization. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, click here.

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Mary Crane Orne

Mary Crane Orne, senior account manager, has been working for Gas South for more than two years. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Orne is looking forward to the biggest celebration of the year in her hometown on St. Patrick’s Day. With the holiday quickly approaching, we spoke with Orne to learn more about her family traditions surrounding the holiday and the town that hosts the celebration every year.

What are some of the things you and your family do in Savannah to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Growing up, I was in the choir at an all-girls Catholic school, St. Vincent’s Academy, and we would sing a few times each week during the month leading up to St. Patrick’s Day throughout different locations in the city. We sang at various events and for numerous groups – including nursing homes, the airport, restaurants and festivals for the grand marshal. Attending some of the events continues to be a tradition for my family during the weeks leading up to the big day.

The "Greening of the Fountain" ceremony is held the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day in Forsyth Park and the Saturday before the 17th, we attend both the Tybee Island Parade and the Tara Feis Irish Celebration. The celebration is a festival located downtown with Irish dancing, food, crafts and live music.

On the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, my family and I attend mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist for the feast day of Saint Patrick. After mass, everyone in Savannah quickly finds a place on the street to get the best view of the parade. We set up our spot inside Chippewa Square, which is known for the famous park bench scenes from “Forrest Gump.” Once our spot is claimed, we set up tents, tables, chairs and plenty of food and drink for all, and wait patiently for the parade to start!

What do you enjoy most about St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah?

The St. Patrick’s Day parade is a “coming home” for many Savannahians, so I’m looking forward to seeing old friends. I’m also looking forward to seeing the grand marshal, the families of past grand marshals, school groups, bands and other groups in the parade. Once the parade is over, I’ll find a pub – all of which are Irish on March 17th – listen to bagpipers and try my luck at Irish dancing!

What would you tell someone considering a trip to Savannah during St. Patrick’s Day?

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and come ready to have a great time! The city closes down for the celebration and towards River Street it’s a wild party, but away from the river, a lot of families enjoy the festivities together.

One last tip – on St. Patrick’s Day, when someone greets you with the phrase, “Top of the mornin’ to ya’ ” you must respond back saying, “And the rest of the day to you.”

Erin go bragh!

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Action Ministries is a non-profit organization providing a wide range of services to Georgians who have fallen on hard times. By meeting basic needs of hunger relief, housing and education, Action Ministries removes barriers that prevent thousands of Georgians from breaking the cycle of poverty and realizing their potential. We recently spoke with Rebecca Whicker of Action Ministries to learn a bit more about the organization:

 What is your organization’s mission?  

Action Ministries mobilizes communities to address the challenges of poverty by focusing on hunger relief, housing and education.

 Why is your organization’s mission important?   

Georgia has the second largest number of homeless children in the nation, it ranks second highest in the nation in the number of homeless veterans, and it has more than one million children who are food insecure. Last year, Action Ministries was able to serve over 140,000 people with the help of partners and volunteers. We want to break the cycle of poverty and ensure that everyone has the tools they need to reach their full potential.

 Is there an upcoming initiative you would like to highlight? 

Our Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program is an initiative we prepare for year round. We also have our Feed the Hungry Food Box initiative, and we’ve made it easier to get involved. If any of your readers would like to help feed a hungry family they can text FOODBOX to 41444 and donate from their mobile phone. If your readers would like to keep up with the action and receive periodic updates from Action Ministries, they can text ACTIONHERO to 51555.

 How has Gas South’s partnership benefitted your organization?

Gas South has given its time to support our hunger relief efforts through Smart Lunch, Smart Kid and Feed the Hungry. In the summer of 2014, with the financial and volunteer support, we were able to provide over 219,000 lunches to children in need. Gas South’s financial and volunteer support of our Food Box initiative will help us provide more than 400,000 meals to hungry families over the next few years

What have Gas South employees done to help Action Ministries?

Gas South employees participate in lunch-making events throughout the summer, providing meals to children who receive free and reduced-price lunches during the school year but are at risk of going hungry during the summer break. Gas South employees have also helped pack food boxes at our Feed the Hungry warehouse. We love our Gas South volunteers!

Gas South has worked with Action Ministries since 2012, and we’d like to encourage you to get involved with the organization. For more information on how to volunteer, click here or if you would like to donate, click here.

This month, Gas South is spotlighting several employees who previously served in the military. We’re proud that these employees, who sacrificed so much to serve our country, have chosen to work at Gas South.

Juawana (Croswell) Glass, Executive Assistant and Human Resources Coordinator, began working for Gas South after serving eight years in the U.S. Navy. Juawana says her military experience helped shape who she is today – as a person, community member and Gas South employee. We sat down with Juawana to learn a bit more about her past.

What was your occupation while in the military? What did that role entail?  

I was a Religious Program Specialist in the Navy. I was responsible for preparing personnel for deployment overseas. Serving our country during times of war can be emotionally taxing, so I helped to prepare soldiers by providing them with counseling and spiritual enrichment services. My job also included administrative duties like accounting and coordinating deployment logistics.

Did you perform any tours of duty during times of war? If so, when and in what capacity?

I served during Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan). My main duty was to protect the Chaplain when we went into the field and on the base during what’s called “complete base lockdown.” Chaplains are non-combatants for religious purposes, so it was up to people like me to provide security.

What was the most memorable moment of your military career?

Enlisting. After I enlisted, every moment while serving my country was an amazing experience. It was a journey that I was destined to take. From the places I traveled to the people I met, every second was memorable.

Do you currently volunteer with any community organizations? If so, what is the organization and what is your role with them?

I volunteer with the Genesis Shelter, which is a homeless shelter for babies under six months of age and their families. I’ve assisted the organization in various roles including serving food, job training and holiday drives.

Has your military past had an influence on your role in the community? If so how? 

Yes, the military broadened my horizons on life and I realized my calling to give back to my community.

Why was serving your country and community important to you?

Serving my country was so important to me because it gave me a sense of pride. I’m proud to say I made a contribution to this country. I honestly miss getting up every day, putting on my uniform, and preparing to protect and serve my community.

 How has your military past affected your role at Gas South?

Serving in the military has benefitted me in my role at Gas South. I’m able to utilize most of the skills I developed in the Navy here at the Gas South office.

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Each November, we honor the men and women who serve our country in the armed forces. We are honored to have a number of veterans working here at Gas South.

As a salute to these former soldiers, we’re turning the Gas South blog over to them this month. We’ll be profiling employees who have served in the military, in places as far-flung as Singapore, Iraq and Japan. We’re thankful that these talented, dedicated individuals have decided to plant roots here at Gas South. We appreciate all that they do!

Employees who have served our country are:

Army

LaTitia "Tish" Winbush, Customer Service Representative

Rhonda Garrett, Customer Service Representative

Tiara Allen, Customer Service Representative

Stephon White, Accountant

Air Force

Sandra K. (Mills) Hamilton, Customer Service Representative

Navy

Juawana (Croswell) Glass, Executive Assistant and Human Resources Coordinator

Michael Clark Guice, Customer Service Representative

In our continued efforts to celebrate and support our veterans, Gas South also began offering a discount to our customers who are actively serving or have served in the U.S. military. Eligible users can visit our rates page and enter the promo code MILITARY to save 2 cents per therm on their Gas South bill.

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Rony Sanon, Operations Coordinator, has worked for Gas South since 2008, when he transitioned from his role as a contractor to a full-time employee. Originally from Haiti, Sanon now resides in Marietta and says he appreciates the importance of using personal experiences to contribute to the community.

As an operations coordinator at Gas South, Sanon manages processes and reports, as well as a plethora of other duties that help the business operation run smoothly and efficiently. He also acts as liaison between Gas South and its third-party vendors, ensuring that relationships are maintained and everyone communicates their needs and goals clearly.

Sanon took some time out of his day to explain why he makes it a priority to volunteer in his community – and how doing so impacts his work at Gas South.

What projects and community organizations do you work closely with? And how long have you been working with these organizations?

I spend my weekends volunteering as a coach with Diamonds and Pearls Football Club (DPFC). DPFC is a girls’ soccer club. We use soccer as a tool to teach character building, academic excellence, and sportsmanship. I’ve worked with the soccer club since 2008, and it has been totally fulfilling. Although DPFC is located in East Point, I love being able to contribute to the community at large.

Why is community involvement important to you?

Community involvement has been an eye-opening experience for me. Volunteering with the girls at DPFC benefits the children I serve, but it is equally beneficial to me. Knowing that soccer teaches these girls lifelong skills makes it all worthwhile. I spent many days of my childhood playing soccer in Haiti, and the sport improved my character—now I can help others have that same experience.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering in the community?

Volunteering allows me to escape my day-to-day life and allows me to focus on others. I enjoy using my own experiences and skills to teach others. Since I already have soccer expertise, it’s easy for me to teach and make a big difference in the lives of the young girls at DPFC. Working with the girls quickly reminds me of how lucky I am. I have been given much in life, so I believe it’s important to give back as well. And I learn a lot from these girls.

How has community engagement affected your role at Gas South?

Gas South strives to create a culture of caring, while contributing to the social fabric of our community. I follow the same principle at DPFC: using soccer as a vehicle to do good things and improve character. The goal of teaching character building, the importance of academic excellence, and using your own personal excellence to improve the workplace are all important to Gas South. The volunteer work that I do outside of the workplace only helps to improve my performance in the workplace.

What would you tell other Gas South employees who are considering becoming more involved in their communities?

Go for it. Community involvement is worthwhile, and the personal rewards are truly priceless. The small act of giving your time is priceless. You live in the community, so don’t just take from it. You should also give back to the community in which you live. It’s all a circle: you take from it, give to it, and you will receive something in return.

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Roshonda Coleman

Roshonda Coleman, Senior Strategic Partnership Manager, has worked for Gas South since 2006, making an impact not only on the company but the Atlanta community. Coleman, a Louisiana native who now lives in DeKalb County, has fully embraced Atlanta as her home.

While at Gas South, Coleman helped launch the Alliance program, in which Gas South partners with local cities, counties and utilities to offer discounted rates on natural gas service to residents and businesses, while raising money for the partner organizations.

Coleman also helped Gas South bring its call center in-house, giving customers the opportunity to speak with a company representative who can best handle their needs. With the opportunity of the recent housing market rebound, Coleman introduced an emerging markets strategy for Gas South that included leveraging relationships with the Real Estate Partner Program (REPP), single family home rental companies, and building companies.

Coleman is an active member in the community and is passionate about working with young professionals in her volunteer roles with American Marketing Association (AMA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). She took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions on community involvement and its importance in her professional life.

What projects and community organizations do you work closely with? How long have you been working with these organizations?

I've been a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) for five years and was recently appointed to the organization’s board. I have a professional background in marketing, which has led to my involvement with other volunteer organizations around the city. I definitely have a passion for working with young people, and I currently volunteer for Junior Achievement, Waller Scholars, Leadership DeKalb, and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. I am also helping to launch a Young Professionals blog series for the DeKalb Chamber.

What type of volunteerism do you do for these organizations?

I wanted to match my marketing background with educating young adults and helping them gain practical and applicable knowledge. Recently an opportunity with AMA allowed me to combine both of those passions by serving as the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chair for AMA. I’m really excited about this opportunity, as I am charged with helping to educate the next generation of marketing leaders.

What inspired you to become involved with these organizations?

We do on-site certifications with DECA, where we go to schools and they present school-based enterprise and new marketing platforms. I love it— that’s how I became involved with the program originally. I went on an industry certification and judged DECA competitions for 9th through 12th grade and immediately knew this was a program I wanted to continue to work with. This past May the organization held its International DECA conference in Atlanta, and I served as a judge for that competition. It is amazing to see what young minds today are coming up with.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering in the community?

When you’re able to see firsthand the impact you have on someone’s life, that’s payback enough. I get that with DECA when I see these students show their work and am able to give them feedback. I’m from a small town in Louisiana so I know first-hand the impact volunteers can have on someone’s life.

What would you tell other Gas South employees who are considering becoming more involved in their communities?

Community volunteerism is very important to me and is something I believe everyone should set time aside for. One of my favorite quotes about giving back is from Truett Cathy: “Nearly every moment of every day we have the opportunity to give something to someone else – our time, our love, our resources. I have always found more joy in giving when I did not expect anything in return.”

I think it’s an impactful statement and it helps to guide the decisions that I make. If people keep that philosophy in mind daily they will truly be able to bring themselves and others joy.

Cornhole Champs! Bobby Mumper, from Jasper and Mike Bailey, from Perry.

For the third year in a row, we sponsored our annual Charity Cornhole Challenge at SweetWater Brewing’s 420 Festival. Even though the conditions were pretty gloomy on Saturday, our competitors didn’t let the weather stop them from helping out a great cause and we had an excellent turn out!

Several months ago, we partnered with Cornhole Atlanta to set up preliminary tournaments around the metro area. The winners of the preliminary tournaments faced off on Saturday with a VIP party at SweetWater up for grabs. Mike Bailey, from Perry, and his cornhole partner Bobby Mumper, from Jasper, came out on top and brought home the championship title.

 

Our Charity Cornhole winners!

Thanks to the success of Saturday's challenge, we were able to raise quite a bit of money from team registrations. Hundreds of festival goers also donated cash in exchange for some fun Gas South swag (sunglasses, ponchos, coozies, etc.). By Sunday, we had raised $7,000 which was matched by SweetWater and Gas South bringing the overall jackpot for our Charity Cornhole Tournamanent to $21,000. 16 area nonprofits competed in Sunday’s tournament for a chance to win the grand prize which was won by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. We awarded them a big check for $15,000 and divided the remaining $6,000 among the other finalists, The Giving Kitchen, Atlanta Humane Society and Georgia Jack Russell Rescue.

Overall, it was a great weekend and we really appreciate everyone coming out. See you next year!

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cornhole challenge graphic

The SweetWater 420 Fest is THIS WEEKEND, which means it's time for Gas South's Annual Charity Cornhole Tournament. This year, we partnered with Cornhole Atlanta to host mini tournaments all around town and the ultimate showdown between the winners begins tomorrow at the festival. The champions will receive a VIP Party at SweetWater Brewery. Then, our Charity Cornhole Tournament begins on Sunday and over twenty nonprofits will be competing for $15,000! The money will be raised through the open cornhole tournaments and these funds will be matched by donations from Gas South and SweetWater.

To get everyone ready for this year's showdown, we've compiled the ultimate list of rules and regulations of cornhole.

We’ll start with the game setup:

  • Make sure you’re playing on a nice flat surface with two league-approved boards. Bonus points for homemade sets!
  • Boards should be two feet wide and four feet long, with a six-inch hole centered nine inches from the top. Each board should be angled with the top edge of the playing surface 12 inches above the ground, and the bottom edge propped three to four inches above the ground.
  • Place the boards directly facing each other, 27 to 33 feet apart.
  • Each game requires eight bean bags that weigh 15 to 16 ounces and measure roughly six inches wide.
  • Cornhole can be played with two or four players. In a four-player game, your partner’s pitching box will be directly across from you. In a two-player game, if you start throwing from the left side of the board, you’ll walk directly across to the other board, and throw back from the right side.

Now that you’ve got your game set up, it’s time for some action!

  • Decide who goes first. Use a coin flip to decide who tosses the first bag.
  • Next, you let your opponent toss his bag. After he successfully tosses his bag, you toss yours, and well, y’all get the point.
  • Your feet should never pass the front edge of your cornhole board. If you step in front of the board, you get a foul. Foul punishments vary from game to game, so don’t cross that line!
  • Make sure a tossed bag never touches the ground. If it hits the ground and bounces up on the board, remove it before any other bags are thrown. If it’s hanging off the board and touching the ground, remove that as well. When all eight bags have been tossed to the other side, add up the score.
  • Once all the bags are tossed, tally up the score and do your victory dance!

How you get to the victory dance:

  • After all bags have been thrown, a bag remaining on the board is worth one point.
  • A bag that went in the hole is worth three points.
  • Add up how many points you earned and compare them to your opponents. Equal points cancel each other out so that only one team can score per round. For example, if you scored five points and your opponent scored three, you will add two points to your overall score and your team will throw first in the next round.
  • If you and your opponent both scored six points, there will be no points awarded.
  • A game is won when a team reaches 21 points with a lead of at least two points. The first team to win two games wins the match.

Cornhole Vocabulary:

  • Woody, Boarder: A bag that ends up on the board.
  • Cornhole, Holer, Corn in the Hole: A bag that ends up in the hole.
  • Dos Cornholes: Throwing two bags in the hole.
  • Holy Moly Triple Cornholy: Throwing three bags in the hole.
  • The Great Cornholio: A person that throws 4 bags in the hole. All present are required to bow down in reverence to this cornholer.
  • Get that corn outta my face!: A term used whenever you successfully counteract your opponent’s attempt to score. For example, when you put a bag in the hole immediately after your opponent does or when you successfully knock your opponent’s bag off the board.
  • Corn on The Cob: When a player puts every bag on the board.
  • Nothin’ but Corn: When a bag is tossed right through the hole without touching the board.

Now that you’ve brushed up on your cornhole lingo, grab a six pack of SweetWater and join us for a great time!

Georgia has experienced an unusually cold winter this year. Thousands of families throughout the state are struggling with higher-than-usual heating costs — and Gas South feels it important to let you know there are local resources to help.

Several non-profits are offering financial assistance or have extended programs helping those who are most in need. As a company committed to advancing the communities in which we live, work and serve, Gas South works with these organizations — such as the Salvation Army’s Project SHARE— and urges those who need help to reach out to them.

Here are some organizations and programs that may be able to help. Additional information is also available on Gas South's pay bill page.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)          

Community Service Section
Two Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 19-228
Atlanta, GA 30303-3180
404-657-3426 or 1-800-869-1150 (Toll Free)
http://www.dhr.georgia.gov/

United Way of Greater Atlanta
100 Edgewood Avenue, N.E
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-614-1000
http://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/

The Salvation Army - Georgia Division
1000 Center Place
Norcross, GA 30093
770-441-6200 or 1-800-257-4273 (Toll Free)
http://www.salvationarmy-georgia.org/

Each organization establishes its own criteria for assistance eligibility, which can be based on income or available funds, so we advise you to call or visit the web pages listed above for more details.

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A recent study found that Atlanta had the worst income mobility in the U.S. and young Atlantans from low-income households have just a 13 percent chance of moving into the top 40 percent of earners.

Fortunately, there is an organization in Atlanta working to improve these odds. Year Up provides young adults with the skills, support and real-world experience they need to close the opportunity divide through internships at local businesses.

This year, two young women interned at Gas South, where they developed the critical job skills they need to join the workforce.

Jomicka Green and Liliana Tapia are Gas South’s first Year Up interns, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.

I believe Year Up training can make candidates a better fit for our company and it helps mitigate the normal hiring risk we see day to day. I wish every young person we hire could go through this class.

While programs like Year Up help companies avoid hiring mistakes, it also gives young adults, who may have a difficult time moving up the economic ladder, the opportunity of a brighter future.

Liliana told me that she had to prioritize and either stay with Year Up and be something or stay with the hostess job and be nothing. She decided she had nothing to lose. I commend Liliana and Jomicka for their determination and tenacity. And we thank Year Up for creating this incredibly successful program!

For more information on Year Up, visit the organization’s website.

For most metro Atlanta residents, staying warm this winter is as easy as turning up the thermostat. But for low-income families struggling to make ends meet, it’s not so simple. For them, even the smallest financial crisis is enough to make bill payment impossible.

Fortunately, Project SHARE offers another option to help keep families warm this winter. Salvation Army’s Project SHARE provides emergency bill-payment assistance to families facing a temporary crisis.

For the second year, Gas South will partner with the Salvation Army to offer our customers a chance to donate to Project SHARE. Gas South will match customer contributions up to $10 per month. Contributions will be used to help families in need keep their heat on this winter as well as acquire necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical supplies. Donations assist residents in all counties in Georgia, and the money collected through the program stays in the county from which it originates. Your donation will help your own neighbors in need.

Gas South Cares is our year-round commitment to giving back to the communities we serve. We strive to make a difference in our communities through hands-on volunteer work and corporate giving that focuses on community, culture, education, and service. Project SHARE is a continuation of our commitment.  

Meredith Hodges

Gas South is thrilled to announce that Meredith Hodges, our vice president of external affairs and human resources, was honored by the Georgia Diversity Council as one of the most powerful and influential women in Georgia. Meredith received the prestigious award on Sept. 27 at the 4th Annual Georgia Leadership Conference.

The awards are intended for businesswomen who have made a difference through their achievements and exemplify the ability to excel in their fields, and Meredith certainly fits the bill. Her 20 years of experience in the utility industry make her a vital resource at Gas South and a true leader.

At Gas South, Meredith is really a Jill of all trades – she oversees human resources, legislative and regulatory affairs, public relations, and community involvement. I commonly and affectionately call Meredith our “Chief People Officer”, because she makes Gas South a great place to work and a great company to do business with. She has spearheaded many community service initiatives over the years, and stays involved in the community through her volunteer efforts with local organizations such as the Woodruff Arts Center, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, United Way, Junior Achievement, and others.

We’re extremely proud, go Meredith!

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The Braves and Gas South present UWGA with $31,000

Velvet Washington with Gas South and Carley Jacobs with the United Way of Greater Atlanta.

Few people are called to take to the turf at Turner Field, and those lucky enough are typically Major League Baseball players and officials. There was, however, one notable exception to the rule prior the last regular-season finale between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, Velvet Washington, a Gas South employee. Velvet was the toast of ‘The Ted’ for a few memorable moments as she presented the United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) with a hefty $31,000 check from Gas South as part of our Bring the Heat campaign with the Braves.

What’s Bring the Heat? Every time a Braves pitcher records a regular season strikeout, Gas South donates $25 to the UWGA. For the record, the Braves’ regular season strikeout total for 2013 was 1232 (note to all you mathematicians, we rounded our donation up by $200 to make an even $31,000).

Since 2008, Bring the Heat has contributed more than $200,000 to local nonprofits as part of Gas South’s promise to advance the communities in which we live, work and serve. While the campaign is officially over for 2013, Gas South is already looking forward to continuing Bring the Heat next year. Go Braves!

This month, Gas South employees packed nearly 1,000 lunches for Action Ministries’ Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program, which provides summer lunches to children who typically receive free lunch during the school year.  Everyone contributed by bringing peanut butter and jelly, while Gas South donated lunch bags and other supplies. Many employees even invited their own kids to help out!

The break room at our company’s headquarters turned into an assembly line of bread, peanut butter, jelly and a stack of potato chips so high our employees had to stand on their toes to reach the top. Kevin Greiner, our CEO, had a spot in the assembly line and proved to be a whiz with the peanut butter and jelly!

This past week, team members at our call center held a similar event to pack more lunches for the program to help reach our goal of feeding 1,000 children in July.

For the second year in a row, Gas South pledged to help Action Ministries’ Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program meet its goal of providing 200,000 lunches to Georgia children who typically receive free or reduced-price lunches during the school year. With school out for the summer, many of these kids are at risk of going hungry. Action Ministries and Gas South are working to address this problem and provide kids with the nutrition they need.

Gas South is dedicated to helping the communities we serve through our Gas South Cares program.

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At Gas South, we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve. That means taking part in social service projects, partnering with local schools, and sponsoring community events. It’s a part of an initiative we call Gas South Cares.

I’m thrilled to report that our efforts have been recognized. Gas South was recently named Corporation of the Year by the Council of Volunteer Administrators (COVA) of Metropolitan Atlanta.

Gas South was nominated for the award by the Georgia chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, one of the oldest and largest charitable organizations in Georgia.

COVA, a nonprofit membership organization of volunteer administrators founded in 1972, awards the Corporation of the Year award to businesses that have expressed a commitment to promoting volunteerism within the workforce.

The award recognizes Gas South employees’ dedication to reinvesting in the hometown community of our company.

Gas South received the award at COVA’s annual meeting, which took place in June. John Berry, president and CEO of Saint Vincent de Paul Georgia, gave the keynote address.

Guests also participated in a silent auction, with all proceeds providing funding for grants to help COVA members attend conferences and professional development workshops.

 

Two weeks ago I found myself standing at the Cobb Galleria alongside 14 women at the Northwest Georgia YWCA's Tribute to Women. This annual event honors women who have made extraordinary contributions to family, community, charity and their professions. I felt incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized among Georgia’s most outstanding female leaders. But it also got me thinking: How did I get here?

The role of women as leaders in the workplace has become a hot topic recently. Just look at all the attention being paid to Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s new book, “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead." I admire Sandberg and the incredibly successful career she’s built. But I know how difficult it can be for women to navigate a business world that is still dominated – for the most part – by men.

I would never have been recognized as an honoree that night without the professional (and sometimes personal) guidance and support provided by female mentors throughout my career. These incredible women helped guide me during critical periods of my career. Ellen Lindeman, a past YWCA honoree and retired head of HR at the Southern Company, helped me hone my strategic thinking and goal setting.  Vera Arthur, Senior Vice President of HR for SWM International, mentored me as part of a Pathbuilders program (great resource for developing women), providing direction during my transition from manager to executive at Gas South. Sometimes their advice addressed issues particular to women. At other times, gender was irrelevant. Looking back, it was all invaluable.

I’m fortunate now to work at Gas South, where women are well-represented at all levels – even in the executive suite three of the company’s six senior leaders are women (including me!). We foster a progressive, results-focused work place, leaving no room for any cultural baggage surrounding gender.

At this point in my career, I have transitioned from mentee to mentor, offering my counsel to young professional women as they seek to climb the ranks. Here are some of the tips that I often pass on:

Tip #1: Always dress at least one notch more formal than is required, whether in the office, at a business lunch or charity gala in order to be taken seriously.

Tip #2: Be conscious about apologizing too often. Women tend to say “sorry” too often for things that don’t really warrant an apology.

Tip #3:  If you don't make an issue that you are a woman, it reduces the chance others will.

Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to ask someone to be your mentor. Most people are flattered and will eagerly accept. Make sure to identify a skill set you need to work on and approach a person who is influential in your line of work.

At this stage of the game, I am passionate about the importance of giving back to other women.  I encourage all, both men and women, to seek out opportunities to mentor others who are earlier on in their careers.

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Gas South's Blog

For this month's employee spotlight, we interviewed Greg Dunavant about his experiences at Gas South and his plans for his new position. Greg was recently promoted and is now our Senior Manager of Customer Care.

A white man wearing a suit and tie posing for a professional headshot.

Greg, congratulations on your promotion! So, what are the responsibilities of your new position?

Thanks Meredith. As the Senior Manager of Customer Care, my goal is to provide our customers a best-in-class customer care experience. To do this, I am working with our team to identify processes and policies which can be improved, and once these processes are identified, we can implement solutions. I am also focused on empowering our team to help customers, developing our leadership team and associates, keeping the customer care team involved with the communities we serve and ensuring that Gas South is a great place to work.

Wow! That is great, Greg! Now, how long have you been working for Gas South?

I have been with Gas South since its inception in 2006.  I started with Gas South on the Supply and Risk Management Team as an analyst, and have been part of the Mass Markets team since 2007, working in both operations and marketing.

In terms of your new position, what are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to partnering with our customer care associates to continue to improve how we serve our customers. Since “in-sourcing” our customer care center in May 2012, we have empowered our team to make sound business decisions for the good of our customers and we’ve also implemented several system-wide changes which have improved the quality of service we are providing.  I am excited to build on this momentum. I am also looking forward to learning from the team and helping our employees develop professionally.

What is your favorite part about working at Gas South?

Our culture of empowerment is my favorite part of working at Gas South. This culture encourages employees to identify opportunities, recommend changes and implement solutions. I also love our commitment to the communities we serve.  All of our 150+ employees live in Georgia and are encouraged to give back through volunteering time and resources.

Those are a few of my favorite parts too! So Greg, how do you spend your free time?

Well, I am graduating from the Georgia Tech MBA program in May so much of my free time is dedicated to preparing for class, going to school and studying. When I am not focusing on school, my wife and I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring Atlanta and pulling for the Auburn Tigers.

Thanks Greg. We are all looking forward to working together with you to continue to grow and improve. 2013 is already shaping up to be a great year!

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Gas South's Blog

Have you heard the news? Gas South is partnering with the Salvation Army to bring Project SHARE to our customers. Last week, we collected donations of new and used blankets to bring to the Salvation Army's shelter in Atlanta. Our President and CEO, Kevin Greiner, joined several of our employees at the shelter, as we worked with the residents to make the beds. It was a great way to kick off the program and give back to those who need it most.

Project SHARE is an initiative through the Salvation Army that collects money to assist those who are less fortunate with acquiring food, shelter, clothing, medical supplies and paying utility bills. Donations through the program help citizens in all 159 counties of Georgia and the money collected stays in the county from which it originates. You can sign up with Project SHARE by pledging to contribute any whole dollar amount you choose each month. The amount will be automatically added to your Gas South bill. Gas South will also be matching your donation up to $5 per month in 2013.

We are looking forward to participating in Project SHARE and we hope you are too. 

 

Kevin Greiner and Major Todd Hawks

Our President & CEO, Kevin Greiner teams up with Major Todd Hawks, the Metro Atlanta Area Commander for the Salvation Army to make beds in the bunk room at the shelter.

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Gas South's Blog
Stephon White

In honor of Veteran’s Day, we want to spotlight one of our employees, Stephon White.

Stephon R. White is a husband, father, U.S. Army Veteran and a part of the Gas South Family.  Stephon was born on June 14, 1981 in Tifton, GA to Leo and Debra White.  He proved to be an excellent student throughout his educational endeavors and enjoyed growing up in Georgia.  After his high school graduation, Stephon enlisted in the United States Army.  He served active duty while stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana for many years.

Shortly after the tragic terrorist attack on 9/11 and the declaration of a “War on Terror” by President Bush, U.S. troops were sent overseas to fight in the Iraq War.  Stephon White was one of the many brave soldiers sent to fight for our country in 2003.  With a lot of prayer, bravery, and faith, he was able to survive the hard times and return home after serving overseas for almost a year and a half.

Stephon has been married to a lovely woman named Starr for 7 years and they have 3 beautiful daughters; Chyanne, Cierra and Camille. Stephon has been working for Gas South since August of 2011 as our accountant and has said that his favorite part of working here is the people. “Gas South has a great office environment and friendly employees, I have enjoyed getting to know my coworkers and look forward to a great career with this company!”

 

Stephon White and family

We are proud to have Stephon as a member of the Gas South family and we thank and honor him and his fellow troops on this Veteran’s Day for their invaluable service to our country.

We would also like to show appreciation for two more veterans at Gas South; Kimberly Middleton and Sandra Hamilton.

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Gas South's Blog

As we’ve all heard, Hurricane Sandy had a devastating impact on the Northeast last week. The wake of destruction has left people without power, heat, water, food and gas. Many are homeless and many more are still without transportation. This disastrous storm hit home with our employees, as many of us have friends and family who were impacted by Sandy, from Haiti all the way up the US coast to New England. We are worried about our loved ones and we wanted to find a way to help!

 

employees volunteering

We were able to find a church in one of the hardest hit boroughs of New York City, Staten Island. St. Christopher’s Church on Midland Ave. was happy to have our support and gave us a list of needed supplies. Gas South got the word out to our employees and the other companies who share our office building to bring in donations of food, clothing and other necessary items to send to NY. On November 7, we packed 12 large boxes of supplies for those in need and sent them up the coast to help the relief effort. We are proud that we were able to come together in this time of need even from thousands of miles away.

If you’re looking for a way to help, you can send monetary donations to the American Red Cross, the United Way or the Salvation Army. Every little bit helps!

 

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Gas South's Blog

This week, Gas South had the opportunity to attend the opening of two new compressed natural gas (CNG) facilities right here in Georgia; the DeKalb County Station at Seminole Landfill and American Fueling Systems (AFS) station off of Buford Highway. These stations, along with other public and private locations in Georgia are the reasons why our state is continuing to lead the southeast in the field of alternative fuels. The development of CNG stations around the state have been facilitated by initiatives like Atlanta Gas Light’s (AGL) CNG Infrastructure program and public/private partnerships such as AFS's fueling station in DeKalb will be on the leading edge of the CNG revolution. This revolution has huge local and global implications that could impact the fueling, automotive and the political landscape of our state and country. Learn more about alternative fuels in Georgia at Clean Cities Atlanta and CNG Now.

 

CNG ribbon cutting

CNG or compressed natural gas is a readily available alternative fuel that is made by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. CNG can then be used to fuel automobiles ranging from your personal car to dump trucks. At the moment large companies such as UPS and municipalities like DeKalb County are benefitting from savings of almost a $1.50 a gallon and switching their fleets, buses, and vehicles to CNG. Currently, Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) has a leasing program that allows residents to rent a device that refuels your CNG vehicles in the convenience of your garage. To get more information regarding CNG in Georgia, feel free to comment below or email me at CNG@Gas-South.com.

So what would it take for you to buy a CNG car and be part of the CNG revolution? Find out if CNG is the right solution.

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Gas South's Blog

Have you heard about our City, County & EMC Partner Program yet?  As part of our commitment to the communities we serve, we have teamed up with 10 cities, 6 electric membership corporations (EMCs) and one county to bring our customers even more savings.  New and existing customers in these areas can save an extra 2 cents per therm off any of our standard rate plans, for as long as they remain our customer!  These reduced rates have saved our customers over $4 million since the inception of this program in 2007.

 

 

playground in the community

Additionally, these partnerships are a great opportunity for us to give back to the community.  Gas South gives a contribution to our partners for each customer that signs up.  To date, we have given our partners about $4.8 million!  Some communities designate the money for a particular project and the EMCs usually use their portion to lower their electricity rates for their customers. For example, the City of Kennesaw put their $100,000 from the program towards renovations at Swift-Cantrell Park.

We are very proud of our Alliance program and hope that you will take advantage of the savings! Please visit our partner page to see if your community has partnered with us.

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