Name
Natural Gas Analytics Community: Energy demand from AI and data centers: The role of natural gas and local distribution companies
Date & Time
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Zach Weller Ansh Nasta Rich Erpelo Duffy Mooney
Description

Data center development driven by AI and cloud computing is creating significant increases in energy demand. The impact of this increased demand frequently focuses on electric utilities and the grid, yet local distribution companies (LDCs) for natural gas are also facing significant potential impacts from data center growth. Increased demand is beginning to surface new planning questions for LDCs. Data center load requests often arrive quickly, with limited definition, and outside traditional load growth assumptions. In this panel-style webinar, GTI Energy will lead a discussion with representatives from two natural gas distribution companies to discuss what LDCs are seeing on the ground today. The conversation will explore how data center-related requests are reaching gas utilities, where uncertainty and risk are emerging, and how utilities are beginning to adapt planning approaches. The session is designed as a practical exchange of observations, lessons learned, and open questions relevant to utilities navigating data center-driven demand.