NYSEARCH manages one of the premier natural gas research, development & demonstration (RD & D) programs in North America. NYSEARCH is a collaborative RD & D organization dedicated to serving its gas utility member companies and project funding partners. NYSEARCH members voluntarily participate in projects and programs to target RD & D areas that address their unique challenges and opportunities. For more than 20 years, NYSEARCH has worked as a consortium of natural gas Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) who have common interests and needs, such as continually improving the operation, safety, efficiency, maintenance & upgrade of gas delivery systems. Today, as part of the Northeast Gas Association, NYSEARCH manages more than 30 projects in various stages of development. NYSEARCH has grown steadily in recent years because of its success in delivering high-value RD & D projects. The organization is unique in its ability to help member companies & partners leverage RD & D investments, while targeting their participation to projects that best meet their individual needs. The core of the NYSEARCH model is joint collaboration and guidance from participating members. These members participate in a wide variety of RD & D projects, organized under the following categories: * Improved Installation, Maintenance & Repair * Pipeline Integrity/Direct & Remote Assessment * Pipe Location & Damage Prevention * Leak Detection, Real-time Sensing & Inspection for Distribution * Environment/Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions * Gas Quality * Evaluation of New Materials * Advanced Polyethylene Piping and Joining * Oracle (emerging technologies from other industries) NYSEARCH primarily serves LDCs, but also has members focused on gas transmission, while others operate transmission and distribution pipelines. A significant program within the NYSEARCH portfolio focuses on developing innovative technologies for transmission pipelines owned by LDCs.