Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is a regulated natural gas distribution utility serving 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across northern Illinois through a 34,000-mile pipeline network and eight underground storage facilities, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company Gas.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1954
- HeadquartersNaperville, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Nicor Gas does
Nicor Gas is a regulated natural gas distribution utility headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, serving approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across more than 650 communities in northern Illinois, excluding the City of Chicago. The company operates a 34,000-mile distribution pipeline network connected to eight interstate pipelines and maintains eight underground natural gas storage facilities with roughly 150 billion cubic feet of annual capacity, including the Troy Grove facility that accounts for approximately one-third of that capacity. These storage assets allow the company to procure gas during lower-priced summer months and deliver it during winter peak demand, providing both supply reliability and rate smoothing for customers.
Nicor Gas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nicor Gas
- Legal name
- Nicor Gas
- Website
- https://nicorgas.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1954
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Nicor Gas is a regulated natural gas distribution utility serving 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across northern Illinois through a 34,000-mile pipeline network and eight underground storage facilities, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company Gas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nicor Gas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Natural Gas Distribution Utilities
- NAICS
- Natural Gas Distribution (221210), Natural Gas Distribution (2212), Natural Gas Distribution (22121)
- SIC
- Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Natural Gas Transmisison & Distribution (4923)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gas Mains (Distribution Pipelines) (EUAJABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- CNG/LNG Refueling for Industrial Fleets (Private Stations, Yard Fueling) (EUALALAK)
Keywords
Where Nicor Gas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Naperville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Nicor Gas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Natural Gas Distribution Services: Regulated utility providing natural gas distribution to 2.3 million customers in northern Illinois. Revenue generated through regulated rates approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Includes residential, commercial, and industrial customer segments.
- Customer Select Program: Customer choice program allowing customers to select their natural gas supplier. The company maintains the distribution infrastructure while certified marketers provide the gas commodity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Customer Select Program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Nicor Gas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nicor Gas operates and maintains a 34,000-mile natural gas distribution pipeline network across northern Illinois, distributing natural gas to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in more than 650 communities. Core services include regulated natural gas delivery, the Customer Select supplier-choice program, transportation and Gas Exchange services for commercial entities, natural gas vehicle fueling for fleets, energy efficiency rebates and programs, and bill payment assistance for income-eligible households. The company is backed by eight underground storage facilities totaling approximately 150 billion cubic feet of annual capacity, enabling seasonal procurement strategies that stabilize winter pricing for customers.
Product overview
Nicor Gas operates as a natural gas distribution utility serving 2.3 million customers across northern Illinois. The company provides a unified portfolio of core gas distribution services supplemented by customer-facing digital tools (account management, billing, payments) and energy efficiency programs. Key product components include: Natural Gas Distribution (core service via 34,000-mile pipeline network and 8 underground storage facilities), Customer Select (supplier choice program), Energy Efficiency Programs (residential and business rebates/loans), Natural Gas Vehicles (fleet fueling), MobileX Connect (mobile customer outreach), Gas Exchange (commercial transportation services), Technical Training Center and Career Academy (workforce development), and various bill payment assistance programs including Shield of Caring, SARP, LIHEAP, and PIPP.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MobileX Connect: A mobile unit outreach channel that brings energy assistance and resources directly to customers where they live.
Products and services
- Natural Gas Distribution Core regulated service that operates and maintains natural gas pipes, reads meters, and distributes natural gas to certified marketers across northern Illinois. Delivered to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in more than 650 communities via a 34,000-mile pipeline network supported by eight underground storage facilities.
- Customer Select Program Program that allows residential and business customers to choose their natural gas supplier from a list of certified marketers while Nicor Gas continues to provide the regulated distribution service and billing infrastructure.
- Gas Exchange / Transportation Services Online platform and services for transportation customers including the Gas Exchange Bulletin Board, Nomination System, Chicago Hub services, Open Access information, and TCIDB/DBS Gas Exchange for commercial and industrial shippers to manage gas flows and pipeline capacity.
- Natural Gas Vehicle Fueling Fueling services and infrastructure for natural gas-powered vehicles serving both individual customers and commercial fleet operators in northern Illinois.
- Energy Efficiency Programs Rebates, loans, and free products for residential and business customers to improve energy efficiency and reduce natural gas consumption, offered across customer segments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Troy Grove facility has enough natural gas to manage heating needs of Mendota customers for approximately 148 years
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Nicor Gas
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Nicor Gas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Nicor Gas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)corePartnership on Utility Scam Awareness Day promoting 'Slow Down, Verify, Stop the Scam' approach to help consumers recognize and avoid fraudulent tactics by scammers impersonating utility employees.
- ComEdcoreJoint partnership with ComEd, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas on Utility Scam Awareness Day and consumer protection initiatives.
- Peoples GascoreJoint partnership with ComEd, Nicor Gas, and North Shore Gas on Utility Scam Awareness Day.
- North Shore GascoreJoint partnership with ComEd, Nicor Gas, and Peoples Gas on Utility Scam Awareness Day.
- Southland Development Authority (SDA)minor$100,000 Impact Grant to support Monarch Fund for small business development and 260 acres of land development in Southland region of Illinois.
- Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox ValleycoreExpanded partnership to create second Smart Neighborhood community with 13 single-family homes. Homes designed with high-efficiency building envelopes, solar panels, energy storage, and energy-efficient appliances.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Elgincore$40,000 investment to support workforce development programming. Students visit Nicor Gas Technical Training Center for hands-on experience in welding, meter reading, pipe fitting, and utility industry careers.
- ShiptminorPartnership to deliver food and essential goods care packages to Nicor Gas customers during pandemic.
- Quad County Urban Leaguecore$500,000 commitment over five years to support Nicor Gas Career Academy - a free six-week job-readiness program.
- The Morton Arboretum / Chicago Region Trees Initiativecore$10,000 grant as part of 10,000-acre conservation initiative. Supports increasing Chicago region's tree canopy and environmental stewardship.
- The Get Growing FoundationminorGrant partner for environmental initiative. Partnering with Joliet Park District to provide native starter plants at community event.
- Northern Illinois Food BankcoreStrategic partner for basic needs initiative to help 250,000 families. Partnership addresses food insecurity in northern Illinois service territory.
- Greater Chicago Food DepositorycoreStrategic partner for basic needs initiative addressing food insecurity in Chicago metro area service territory.
- Southern Company GascoreParent company - Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas.
- Operation WarmcorePartner providing winter coats to children in need. Partnership part of basic needs support initiative.
- People's Resource CenterminorPartner for basic needs programs including food pantry and clothing assistance.
- PADS OrganizationsminorPartner for housing and shelter programs addressing homelessness.
- Salvation Army (Shield of Caring)core$10M commitment to Salvation Army's Shield of Caring program providing energy and emergency assistance to residential customers facing financial hardship.
- American Red Cross of Greater Chicagocore$225,000 commitment over five years to support Illinois Home Fire Campaign and mobilization of resources for disaster response.
- Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardensminor$30,000 commitment over two years for woodland restoration and programming for seniors and underserved students.
- Brookfield Zoo (Chicago Zoological Society)minorEnvironmental stewardship partner. energySMART sponsors Motor Safari ride and energy-saving educational initiatives.
- Illinois Fire Services InstituteminorHost for Troy Grove Fire School providing free natural gas fire training to firefighters throughout northern Illinois service territory.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Nicor Gas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Peoples Gas: Sister natural gas distribution utility under Southern Company Gas, serving Chicago and surrounding areas. Direct peer sharing the same parent, regulatory jurisdiction (ICC), and recently filed joint rate cases totaling over $420M with Nicor.
- North Shore Gas: Sister natural gas distribution utility under Southern Company Gas, serving northeastern Illinois suburbs. Direct peer sharing parent, regulator, and joint Utility Scam Awareness partnership with Nicor; one of the four Southern Company Gas LDCs alongside Nicor.
- ONE Gas Inc. Pure-play natural gas distribution utility serving Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. Closest public-market comparable to Nicor in business model: regulated LDC with multi-state footprint, focused exclusively on gas distribution with no commodity exposure.
- Spire Inc. Natural gas distribution utility serving Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi with approximately 1.7M customers. Direct peer in business model, customer mix (residential/commercial/industrial), and exposure to weather-driven demand volatility.
- Atmos Energy: Largest pure-play natural gas distributor in the U.S., serving over 3M customers across the South and Midwest. Direct peer with comparable customer scale to Nicor and similar regulated rate-base growth strategy.
- Northwest Natural Gas Company: Natural gas LDC serving Oregon and southwest Washington with approximately 2.5M population in service area. Direct peer with similar regulated gas distribution business model and exposure to state-level energy transition policy debates.
- Southwest Gas Holdings: Natural gas distribution utility serving Arizona, Nevada, and California with approximately 2M customers. Direct peer in regulated LDC business model, weather-driven demand, and exposure to state-level decarbonization mandates.
- New Jersey Resources: Natural gas distribution utility serving New Jersey through subsidiary New Jersey Natural Gas. Direct peer in regulated distribution model with comparable mid-Atlantic/Midwest customer mix and storage infrastructure strategy.
Broad incumbents
- NiSource Inc. Diversified natural gas and electric utility holding company with Columbia Gas distribution subsidiaries across multiple states. Broad incumbent serving similar end-use customers with overlapping gas distribution operations; broader portfolio than Nicor's pure-distribution focus.
- Consumers Energy: Michigan-based combined gas and electric utility serving approximately 1.8M natural gas customers. Broad incumbent with overlapping Midwest regulated gas distribution operations and customer programs comparable to Nicor's energy efficiency offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nicor Gas social profiles
Digital presenceNicor Gas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nicor Gas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Nicor Gas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nicor Gas M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nicor Gas
What does Nicor Gas do?
Nicor Gas operates and maintains a 34,000-mile natural gas distribution pipeline network across northern Illinois, distributing natural gas to approximately 2.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in more than 650 communities. Core services include regulated natural gas delivery, the Customer Select supplier-choice program, transportation and Gas Exchange services for commercial entities, natural gas vehicle fueling for fleets, energy efficiency rebates and programs, and bill payment assistance for income-eligible households. The company is backed by eight underground storage facilities totaling approximately 150 billion cubic feet of annual capacity, enabling seasonal procurement strategies that stabilize winter pricing for customers.
Is Nicor Gas a public or private company?
Nicor Gas is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Nicor Gas founded?
Nicor Gas was founded in 1954. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Nicor Gas based?
Nicor Gas is headquartered in Naperville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Nicor Gas make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Natural Gas Distribution Services are the primary driver. The others are customer Select Program.
Who are Nicor Gas's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, ONE Gas Inc., Spire Inc., Atmos Energy, Northwest Natural Gas Company, Southwest Gas Holdings and New Jersey Resources. Broad incumbents are NiSource Inc. and Consumers Energy.
Does Nicor Gas have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nicor Gas.
What industry is Nicor Gas in?
Nicor Gas's product category is Natural Gas Distribution Utilities. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAJABAA, Gas Mains (Distribution Pipelines), with a secondary code of EUALALAK, CNG/LNG Refueling for Industrial Fleets (Private Stations, Yard Fueling). Its NAICS code is 221210 and its SIC code is 4924.