Interstate Municipal Gas Agency SEPT-OCT 2016 Issue 89 Public Natural Gas Week (PNGW) is a nationwide observance that offers the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your public natural gas system and generate enthusiasm about the benefits of public natu- ral gas. This year, PNGW will be celebrated October 2-8, 2016. Hopefully Municipal natural gas utilities will join in this nationwide observance to honor this work and importance of locally-owned pub- lic natural gas systems. The American Public Gas Association will help you plan and promote your system’s PNGW celebrations. Many municipal gas systems prepare promotional events and cam- paigns each year, however for those of you who could use some addi- tional ideas, we encourage you to download sample materials that include a stock press release, op-ed, design templates and suggestions for events to celebrate the week in your community. These materials may be found at apga.org/apgamainsite/resources/pngw. We hope you find these materials helpful and make 2016 Public Natu- ral Gas Week one of the best yet! OQ Training Sessions to Resume IMGA is pleased to announce that the OQ training program will be starting up again in December. This training season courses will be offered on Meter Sets/Pressure Testing; Pipeline Installa- tion; Pipeline Repair. All courses will be offered in two locations, one in Auburn, Illi- nois: Meter Sets/Pressure Testing, December , 2016; Pipeline Installation, January , 2017 and Pipeline Repair, March , 2017 and one in Pinckneyville, Illinois: Meter Sets/Pressure Testing, December , 2016; Pipeline Installation, February , 2017 and Pipe- line Repair, March , 2017. Thus, making a day trip convenient for all. All sessions will continue to have a classroom component as well as hands on experience. Mid-Season Hurricane Update The Weather Channel The statistical peak of the hurricane season in the Atlantic basin came on September 10th, which means we are now more than past the half way point through the season that provides some of the world’s big- gest beasts. So far, it has been a busy season. There have been four hurricanes, eight tropical storms, and one addi- tional tropical depression before Sept. 10. All but two of these sys- tems impacted land: Tropical Storm Fiona and Tropical Depression Eight. Tropical Depression Eight indirectly impacted the Carolina coast by bringing breezy weather and adding to the waves that then Hurricane Gaston created and pushed west. We are ahead of pace so far this hurricane season. All of the named storms in 2016 have formed before their historical average formation dates. Seasonal Highlights So Far Tropical Storm Colin and Hurricane Hermine made landfall within 50 miles of each other. Colin made landfall in June near Dekle Beach, Florida, in rural Taylor County. Hermine made landfall just east of St. Marks, Florida. Gaston currently holds the record for lowest pressure so far this season with a minimum pressure of 956 millibars. Gaston also holds the record for the highest wind speeds so far this season with a maximum sustained wind of 120 mph. Colin and Danielle became the earliest third and fourth named storms in recorded history. As always, we remind you that hurricane season continues through the end of November (even though storms can happen at any time of year). Always be prepared.