Virginia Natural Gas encourages customers to reconnect gas service before cold weather arrives

August 28, 2001

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) today issued an alert to customers who have had their natural gas shut off for non-payment to settle their bill and schedule restoration of gas service before winter weather sets in.

VNG also encourages customers who have discontinued gas service for the summer to reconnect service early, while it is still warm.

“We’re concerned that if people don’t act now, they may be caught with no heat when cold weather sets in,” said Ralph Cleveland, vice president of operations. More than 5,000 customers have been shut off for non-payment, and an additional 2,400 customers have voluntarily canceled service for the summer.

Overwhelming demand for service restoration once cold weather arrives may prevent reconnections from being processed in a timely fashion. This concern has prompted VNG to encourage customers to take action now.

Reconnection of natural gas service takes time. Once VNG has received payment, a VNG qualified technician is dispatched to the customer’s home to conduct a safety inspection, restore service and re-light all natural gas appliances in the home. Because the visit requires entering a residence, an appointment must be scheduled in advance and the on-site process can take up to 45 minutes to complete.

To settle past due bills, and to schedule the restoration of natural gas service with Virginia Natural Gas, call toll-free 1-866-229-3578.