Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has earned two Safety Achievement Awards from the American Gas Association (AGA). The Awards for 2015 were presented at the AGA's Operations Conference in Phoenix.

"Chesapeake is committed to promoting a positive safety culture," said Michael P. McMasters, president and CEO of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. "I'm extremely proud to see our team recognized for maintaining the very highest standards of safety for our workplace, our customers and our communities."

Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (ESNG), Chesapeake's natural gas transmission subsidiary, owns and operates a 442-mile interstate pipeline originating from various locations in Pennsylvania to service customers in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. ESNG earned a 2015 AGA Safety Achievement Award for excellence in fleet safety. The AGA's Safety Achievement Award for excellence in fleet safety performance is given to member companies that experienced the fewest preventable motor vehicle incidents. ESNG performed in the top quartile of AGA membership in 2015 when compared to the most recent industry data.

Florida Public Utilities Company, Chesapeake's subsidiary that distributes natural gas to approximately 74,000 residential and commercial customers and propane to 16,000 customers across Florida, earned a 2015 AGA Safety Achievement Award for excellence in employee safety. The AGA's Safety Achievement Award for excellence in employee safety is given to member companies that experienced the lowest DART (Days Away, Restricted and Transferred) incident rate — a mathematical calculation that describes the number of recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees that resulted in days away from work or restricted work activity. Measured against the most recent industry data, Florida Public Utilities performed in the top quartile of its peer group in 2015.

"This recognition by AGA is a great testament to the work done by our employees every day," said Bill Gradie, Director of Corporate Safety and Compliance. "We will continue to implement the best practices known to the industry in order to maintain safe environments for our employees and customers."

The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents more than 200 local energy companies that deliver clean natural gas throughout the United States. There are more than 72 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the U.S., of which 95 percent — just under 69 million customers — receive their gas from AGA members. Today, natural gas meets more than one-fourth of the United States' energy needs.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission, gathering and processing, and marketing; electricity distribution; propane gas distribution and wholesale marketing; and other businesses.