For more than 80 years, Texas Gas Service has been a steady and reliable energy partner in the Rio Grande Valley. From serving family homes to fueling growing industries, the company’s legacy in the region is built on safety, innovation, and a deep commitment to community.
“Texas Gas Service has a long-standing history in the Rio Grande Valley, with its roots tracing back over 80 years,” said Paul Vela, director of operations for Texas Gas Service. “Over the years, the company has steadily expanded its system across Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties, now serving dozens of communities in the region.”
That continued expansion has come with substantial investment. “Infrastructure investments have been a priority, with $48 million invested over the past two years to enhance the safety and reliability of the system,” Vela said. “This growth and investment reflect our broader mission to deliver natural gas for a better tomorrow.”
A Culture of Safety and Reliability
Safety is at the core of Texas Gas Service’s operations. “Safety is our primary core value and drives every decision we make,” Vela said. The company’s safety culture goes beyond compliance — it’s personal. “Our employees look out for one another and take pride in protecting their coworkers, customers, and communities,” he said. “This culture of vigilance and mutual support is what makes our safety record — and our service — strong.”
That commitment has earned Texas Gas Service recognition for the eighth consecutive year for having one of the lowest incident and accident rates in the industry.
Affordable, Efficient Energy
In a region that experiences both soaring summer temperatures and unpredictable storms, reliability and affordability are essential. “Natural gas remains one of the most affordable power sources for homes,” Vela said. He explained that direct natural gas use avoids inefficiencies tied to electricity generation and transmission. “Using electricity instead of direct natural gas for these applications can waste up to three times more energy,” he said.
The company’s infrastructure is designed to provide consistent energy, even during extreme weather. “We’ve completed numerous interconnections and reinforcement projects in the region and increased our storage capacity by 20%,” Vela said. “These investments have paid off — we have experienced no significant customer outages during winter storms or severe weather over the past several years, despite frigid temperatures and ice.”
Supporting Families, Businesses, and Growth
Natural gas touches nearly every part of daily life in the Valley. “For families and businesses, natural gas offers dependable energy for everyday needs — from cooking meals and heating water to supporting food production and medical services,” Vela said. “Many local households value natural gas for preparing large family meals and making tortillas on the stovetop, where consistent heat makes all the difference.”
The company’s services are also vital to economic growth. “We’re proud to support the rapid growth and transformation happening across the Rio Grande Valley,” Vela said. “Industrial expansion at the Port of Brownsville and the development of Starbase are driving demand for scalable energy, especially as manufacturing shifts back to the U.S. side of the border.”
Investing in a Clean Energy Future
While reliability remains central, sustainability is shaping the company’s future. “At Texas Gas Service, we’re committed to building a clean energy future,” Vela said. “We’ve reduced emissions directly from company-owned sources by 51% since 2005 and are on track to reach a 55% reduction by 2035.”
The company is also looking beyond traditional energy sources. “We’re investing in renewable natural gas and hydrogen technologies to further reduce emissions and enhance energy resiliency,” he said. “These initiatives reflect our long-term commitment to sustainability and the communities we serve.”
Giving Back to the Community
Texas Gas Service’s impact goes well beyond energy. In 2024 alone, employees and retirees volunteered more than 270 hours across South Texas. “We helped feed nearly 800 families monthly through the Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry, supported 38 classrooms via DonorsChoose, and responded to the March floods with aid to the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank,” Vela said.
He added that giving back is part of the company’s culture. “Our efforts supported nonprofits like the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties , while our teams joined community efforts like Feast of Sharing and Adopt-a-Beach cleanups,” he said.
Empowering Customers Through Education
Customer safety is another cornerstone of the company’s mission. “We prioritize customer safety by promoting year-round education, including our Safe Digging campaigns and Public Awareness Programs,” Vela said. All safety communications are bilingual to reach as many customers as possible. “These initiatives help customers use natural gas safely and make informed choices,” he said.
A Future Fueled by Partnership
As the Rio Grande Valley continues to grow, Texas Gas Service is poised to grow with it — safely, sustainably, and in step with the community. “We’re investing in infrastructure to support future development in fast-growing cities like Edinburg,” Vela said. “These initiatives reflect our commitment to helping the RGV thrive — economically and sustainably.”
