Customers in Lawrence won’t be able to exchange gift cards for natural gas this year, but company officials aren’t ruling out the option for the future.

“We think, especially during the holiday season, it would be a great way for consumers or customers to help other customers who have energy-assistance needs,” said Larissa Long, a spokeswoman for Aquila’s natural gas business in Kansas, which is based in Lawrence. “We weren’t able to get it in place in time for this holiday season, but it is something we will be looking at for 2006.”

Aquila provides natural gas service for 33,000 customers in Lawrence.