Gas Department Achieves T.R.U.S.T. Gold Level from CPGA

Dillon Wade and Eric Phillips

For the first time, the Gas Department was awarded the Carolinas Public Gas Association’s (CPGA) T.R.U.S.T. (Training, Responsibility, Understanding Safety, and Transparency) Award at the Gold Level. This came after winning the award at the Silver level last year. 

The T.R.U.S.T. Award recognizes organizations in the public gas sector who demonstrate excellence in safety, training, community outreach, and environmental responsibility. Just like last year, GUC had the highest overall score of the systems that applied. That’s quite an accomplishment! 

“This process allows us to benchmark our operations against all public gas systems in North and South Carolina and ensures that we are implementing best practices. It is a department achievement,” Director of Gas Systems Durk Tyson said. 

The score is based in part on GUC’s data on the number of severe injuries during the year, number of damages per 1,000 locates, number of department-wide safety meetings per year, and supplemental safety committees that are operational within the system. 

Also scored is GUC’s support of professional skills development linking those training needs to operational needs within the gas department. 

The award measured the department’s work in raising awareness about important issues, addressing local needs, and cultivating positive relationships with customers. It factored in GUC’s contributions to protecting the environment, promoting sustainable practices, and taking action to address environmental issues, as well.  

“It’s a great way to recognize the staff’s achievement and the Gas Department as a whole, in providing safe, reliable gas services,” Assistant Director of Gas Systems Carl Smith said. “All of the work was done by a lot of different people doing a lot of great things.”  

This is the second year the CPGA has presented these awards.