Who supplies gas, town by town
| Area | Gas supplier | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | Delta Utilities | Took over Entergy's system on July 1, 2025 (about 96,000 customers) |
| Denham Springs | City Gas Department | Serves in and beyond city limits |
| Zachary | City of Zachary | City-owned system; the pipe from meter to house is yours |
| Parts of Ascension Parish | Atmos Energy | Check your bill for Prairieville and Gonzales |
| Rural lots anywhere | Propane dealer | Tank owned or leased |
The gas meter
A whole-home generator can draw more gas than an old meter was sized for. Delta Utilities' CEO said the company can send a technician to help with whole-house generator installs (WAFB). Ask whether your dealer's quote covers the meter request; one Baton Rouge buyer said the dealer he picked handled it while others wanted him to pay extra (Tiger Droppings). The City-Parish checklist typically wants about 5 ft between the generator and the gas regulator.
Propane tanks
| Tank | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 250 gal, above ground | $800–1,200 | Common for smaller generators |
| 500 gal, buried | $1,500–2,500 | Longer run time; needs digging |
| Lease instead | $150–180 a year | You buy propane from the tank owner |
Ranges from This Old House, 2026. Your dealer and the propane company size the tank to the generator and how many days you want to run.
Running cost in a long outage
One Baton Rouge-area owner reported a $500 natural gas bill for an 8-day outage (Tiger Droppings). Propane usually costs more per hour of running, and a tank has to be refilled; after a hurricane, trucks can be slow to reach you.
Sources & further reading
- Entergy: gas sale to Delta Utilities (Jul 2025)
- WAFB: Delta Utilities CEO (Jul 2025)
- City of Denham Springs gas department
- City of Zachary utilities FAQ
- This Old House: propane tank cost (2026). Tanks
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.