Natural Gas: A Steady Force in an Evolving Energy Landscape

The Southern Gas Association (SGA) recently hosted a powerful keynote panel, “Natural Gas Energy During an Evolving Time,” featuring Joe Hampton (Spire), Keller Kissam (Dominion), Jeremy Koster (Duke Energy), Megan Vetula (Berkshire Hathaway), and Brian Weisker (Duke Energy). Their discussion painted a hopeful and optimistic picture of the future of natural gas as the foundation of a reliable and sustainable energy future.

Before diving into the discussion, panelists acknowledged the dedicated emergency responders currently battling hundreds of wildfires across North Carolina and South Carolina, a sobering reminder of the importance of resilient and dependable energy infrastructure.

Optimism and the Future of Natural Gas

One clear theme emerged throughout the conversation: Natural gas will continue to play a critical role in the evolving energy landscape. Panelists emphasized that natural gas is not just a bridge fuel—it is a foundation for energy reliability, economic stability, and future growth.

Balancing Energy Diversification with Reliability

The industry recognizes the importance of diversification, including investments in renewable energy. However, panelists discussed the cost justification of renewable projects and the challenge of balancing investment across operating territories while maintaining the reliability that natural gas has consistently delivered.

Natural gas remains the backbone of energy reliability, providing critical infrastructure to support and expand energy systems. Companies are working to ensure balanced investments that consider both emerging technologies and the proven dependability of natural gas.

Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Human Expertise

The energy industry is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve efficiency, safety, and response times—but panelists stressed the importance of not losing sight of the human element.

• Duke Energy is leveraging AI-driven satellite imagery to detect and prioritize pipeline leaks, allowing field technicians to respond more effectively and immediately.
• Dominion Energy emphasized that AI should empower employees, not replace them. By gathering and delivering better data to frontline workers, AI is enhancing decision-making while ensuring that people remain at the heart of the industry.
• Spire and Berkshire Hathaway echoed the sentiment, focusing on using technology to enhance operations, training, and overall efficiency while remaining cautious and secure in emerging tech adoption.

The Importance of Regulatory Adaptability

With federal and industry regulations evolving, panelists addressed the challenges and opportunities in navigating these changes. The natural gas sector remains committed to safety, environmental responsibility, and compliance, ensuring that the industry continues to adapt to new policies while maintaining reliable service.

Leadership and Customer Commitment

When asked about what has the most significant impact on their daily routines, panelists consistently highlighted leadership, safety, and customer focus.

• Duke Energy leaders emphasized the importance of staying connected with their teams to ensure strong communication and collaboration.
• Dominion Energy reinforced the industry’s core values of safety, reliability, communication, and leadership.
• All panelists agreed that natural gas companies are, first and foremost, customer-focused businesses, dedicated to providing reliable and affordable energy.

Conclusion: A Resilient Future for Natural Gas

The natural gas industry is not only optimistic about the future—it is actively shaping it through innovation, strategic investments, and a steadfast commitment to reliability. As energy systems evolve, natural gas will remain a critical pillar of the nation’s energy infrastructure, delivering dependable, efficient, and customer-centric solutions.

As companies embrace new technologies, emerging regulations, and shifting energy demands, AUTOSOL provides the critical tools needed to modernize SCADA systems, integrate AI-driven insights, and optimize data collection. With IIoT-ready solutions, AUTOSOL enables seamless and secure data communication across multi-vendor environments, empowering companies to monitor and manage operations with greater efficiency and precision.

As AI and machine learning enhance pipeline monitoring, leak detection, and operational efficiency, AUTOSOL bridges the gap between legacy infrastructure and cutting-edge innovation.  With evolving federal and industry regulations, AUTOSOL ensures that companies can adapt without compromising performance, security, or compliance.

From edge computing to secure data transport via MQTT, AUTOSOL delivers scalable, flexible solutions that drive the natural gas industry forward. As a trusted partner, AUTOSOL provides the intelligent technology needed to ensure reliability, efficiency, and long-term success.

Ready to modernize your operations with cutting-edge SCADA and IIoT solutions? Contact AUTOSOL today to discover how we can help you leverage technology while maintaining the reliability the natural gas industry depends on.