This article was originally published in the 25Q3 LINK newsletter.
The winds of energy policy are shifting once again—and this time, they’re blowing in our direction. The natural gas sector is catching that momentum, reclaiming its rightful place as the cornerstone of reliability, innovation, and growth across power generation, manufacturing, and global trade.
At SGA Natural Gas Association, we’re not waiting for calmer waters— we’re steering forward with purpose. Together, we’re helping the industry operationalize policy, prepare its workforce, and strengthen safety and performance. It’s clarity, courage, and capability that carry us forward—and at SGA, we’re building all three.
Across our nation, a new energy story is unfolding. Artificial intelligence, onshoring, and global trade are fueling a surge in electricity demand unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. Some have called it a “gas stampede” — a race to keep pace with growth that’s reshaping the power landscape.
According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, electricity demand from data centers alone could triple by 2028, requiring an astounding 130 gigawatts of new generation capacity, much of it powered by natural gas and advanced turbine technology.
At SGA, we see this moment not as a challenge to brace for, but as a responsibility to lead through. Our work – training the workforce, advancing safety, and operationalizing policy into practice – ensures our industry is ready to meet this moment with skill, integrity, and innovation.
Meanwhile, we have emerged as the world’s largest supplier of gas, with LNG exports projected to climb from 11.9 to 16 billion cubic feet per day by 2026. From the bayous of Louisiana to the plains of Texas, SGA members are working tirelessly to add modular, next-generation liquefaction capacity that can adapt to the shifts of market demand.
For our distribution members, the narrative is one of leadership. Once defined by stability, this sector now leads the way in modernization: integrating renewable natural gas, hardening infrastructure, and advancing resilience across systems and communities.
At SGA, we’re proud to stand alongside these innovators, equipping them with the tools and training to deploy advanced leak detection, data analytics, and operational best practices that define effective, forward-looking compliance with classes like Machine Learning for Pipeline Integrity Management.
In our transmission network, the demand has never been more pressing. With grid congestion and new power plants on the rise, the call for interconnectivity has never been clearer. Our operators are now at the helm of America’s “energy reliability renaissance.” Through SGA’s Pipeline Safety Management System committee, storage and Operations & Engineering committees, we’re fostering a spirit of collaboration and sharing best practices that will drive this vital investment wave.
Our midstream operators are not just sitting on the sidelines; they’re redefining their roles. They are evolving from mere transporters of commodities to strategic partners, blending new pipelines with carbon capture and hydrogen initiatives. This positions the midstream sector as the crucial bridge between our current energy market and the promising low-carbon future that awaits.
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