When you turn on your gas stove or enjoy a hot shower, chances are you’re not thinking about the technology working behind the scenes. But at Southwest Gas, delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable energy service to homes and businesses isn’t just about keeping the gas flowing—it’s about delivering it smarter and more efficiently than ever before.
From advanced leak detection tools to robot-guided pipeline inspections, Southwest Gas is investing in cutting-edge technology to enhance energy delivery for a balanced energy mix, now and into the future.
Safety first
Safety is a core value at Southwest Gas, and recent technological advances are enhancing the ability to find and repair leaks. The Company recently rolled out new mobile leak detection units that are significantly more sensitive than traditional equipment. These advanced methane sensors, mounted on vehicles, sample the air as they move through neighborhoods, providing leak indications early and efficiently.
Portable handheld devices used by field technicians are also getting an upgrade. The latest infrared gas detectors enhance leak detection and are also future-ready. They are designed to detect new energy sources like hydrogen and can distinguish the difference between pipeline gas and other sources.
The utility is also turning to the skies. In 2024, the Company began testing drone technology for pipeline inspections. These high-tech helpers can access areas that are hard to reach by foot, improving safety for employees and the communities they serve.
Beneath the surface
In a field where infrastructure is largely underground, Southwest Gas is bringing innovation to the surface. The Company has partnered with leading research institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University and NYSEARCH to test robotic tools that travel inside pipelines, identifying corrosion or defects from the inside out. These technologies enhance safety, reduce downtime, and minimize service disruptions.
Innovation also extends to how Southwest Gas supports communities in transition. When customers in Mesquite, Nevada, moved from propane to natural gas, the Company deployed compressed natural gas (CNG) trailers to ensure uninterrupted service through a virtual pipeline before permanent infrastructure was in place. These trailers transport CNG in high-pressure cylinders, offering a flexible, cost-effective solution when pipelines are under construction, service, or conversion.
What makes these advancements especially impactful is Southwest Gas’ collaborative approach. Through its Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) team, the Company partners with universities, industry experts, and nonprofits like GTI Energy to test and deploy technologies that address real-world needs—including tools that will enable the responsible integration of future fuels such as hydrogen.
Reducing environmental impact
Southwest Gas cares about sustainability, and the Company is committed to using technology and innovation to reduce environmental impact while continuing to provide safe, reliable service.
For large energy users such as hospitals and manufacturing facilities, Southwest Gas supports Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems that generate heat and electricity from a single source, cutting emissions and lowering energy costs simultaneously.
The Company is also supporting RNG market growth through gas purchases from interconnected RNG projects in Arizona and California, which capture methane from dairy farms and wastewater treatment facilities and convert it into energy. By turning organic waste into fuel, these efforts can reduce emissions while bringing new meaning to “farm-to-fuel.”
Looking to the future, Southwest Gas is currently piloting hydrogen-blended natural gas in partnership with GTI Energy, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and appliance manufacturers to explore lower-carbon fuel options for everyday appliances. And through investments in tools like GIS mapping, ground-penetrating radar, and next-generation pipeline materials, the Company is modernizing its infrastructure to further enhance efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance.
Customer choice
In today’s energy landscape, there is no one-size-fits-all. Southwest Gas partners with customers, empowering them to choose how they manage their environmental impact.
One way the Company does this is through the Move2ZeroSM Offset Program. This voluntary initiative allows Nevada customers to offset combustion-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with natural gas usage by supporting certified carbon reduction projects. Since its launch, Move2Zero SM participants have offset emissions from the equivalent of 102 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year—a small step with a big impact.
Southwest Gas offers various energy efficiency programs across its service territory to support customers in achieving their energy efficiency goals and reducing utility costs. These state-approved programs provide rebates to incentivize the purchase, installation, and use of energy-saving residential and commercial appliances.
The Company also supports commercial and public fleets using CNG, which can power vehicles and runs cleaner than diesel fuel. In Southern Nevada, Southwest Gas provides RNG through CNG to fuel the Regional Transportation Commission’s buses, making commutes more eco-friendly for thousands of residents.
Shaping a resilient future
As the energy landscape evolves, Southwest Gas remains a committed partner toward a balanced and sustainable energy future. Through strategic investments in advanced detection technologies, drone-assisted infrastructure inspections, hydrogen blending research, and strategic relationships supporting renewable energy initiatives such as dairy-farm and wastewater-sourced RNG, the Company is helping shape a more resilient future. These efforts are not just about delivering energy today—they’re about building the foundation for tomorrow’s energy system.