Nicor Gas: providing natural gas to northern Illinois since 1954.

How it began
Northern Illinois Gas was formed in 1954 from several companies in and around Ottawa, Ill. In 1955, we bought Union Gas and Electric, and a few years later, we laid the groundwork for the world's largest underground gas storage system. In the 1960's, we expanded our service area and began drilling for natural gas. During this time, we also increased our natural gas storage capacity by developing underground storage.

Nicor Inc. was formed in 1976 as a holding company. And in 1997, Northern Illinois Gas began operating its natural gas business as Nicor Gas. Today, Nicor Gas is the largest natural gas distributor in northern Illinois, serving more than 2 million customers.

Nicor Gas facts and figures:

• We serve more than 2 million customers in 641 communities.
• 96 percent of homes in our service territory use natural gas.
• We transport and store gas for 129,000 commercial and industrial customers.
• We are the largest natural gas distributor in northern Illinois.
• We have 29,000 miles of gas mains and service pipes.

Keeping gas prices down
Nicor customers are connected to a 29,000-mile distribution system that is part of a network of eight interstate pipelines. We purchase gas during the summer months when it is normally less expensive and store it for use throughout the year. This helps keep winter costs down and our year-round supply up. Our gas purchasing strategies, coupled with our underground storage facilities, ensure that Nicor Gas customers receive reliable, competitively-priced service. There are a number of factors that affect the price of natural gas. To learn more, go to Gas Cost.

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