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Virginia Natural Gas files 2024 rate request with the Virginia State Corporation Commission

Virginia Natural Gas, VNG, Utility, Gas, Dig, Digging, Excavator, Diversity, African American, Hispanic, Latin, Field Technician, Right of Way Virginia Natural Gas, VNG, Utility, Gas, Dig, Digging, Excavator, Diversity, African American, Hispanic, Latin, Field Technician, Right of Way

Company seeks to recover investments made to modernize and improve gas infrastructure, ensuring delivery of clean, safe and reliable natural gas

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – August 1, 2024 – Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) has filed a rate request with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) to recover costs associated with significant investments made to enhance infrastructure and technology. These investments are crucial to maintaining the safety, reliability and efficiency of natural gas delivery to more than 310,000 customers in southeast Virginia.

“At Virginia Natural Gas, we are committed to making strategic infrastructure investments that address the evolving needs of our customers and foster the growth and prosperity of Virginia,” said Robert Duvall, president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas. “As a government-regulated public utility, VNG is dedicated to ensuring our customers have access to the lowest cost natural gas available. Our commitment to our customers remains at the heart of everything we do.”

Since the last rate request in 2022, VNG has made substantial investments to ensure the long-term benefit of its customers and fulfill its obligation to provide safe and reliable service. Key driving factors for this rate request include:

  • Strengthening Pipeline Infrastructure: Implementing critical enhancements to ensure the ongoing safety, reliability and resiliency of Virginia Natural Gas's delivery system.
  • Modernizing Technology Assets: Upgrading technology infrastructure to more efficiently capture and utilize data, thereby improving overall operational effectiveness.
  • Enhancing Locating Services: Transitioning to a new locate contractor and expanding in-house locating teams to significantly boost safety, performance and reliability.
  • Advancing Metering Technology: Initiating the transition to an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system for more accurate and detailed natural gas usage data.
  • Promoting Environmental Justice and Community Engagement: Further developing and implementing initiatives to support environmental justice and strengthen community engagement through additional dedicated resources.

The filing seeks to recover $63 million in capital expenditures. The estimated monthly increase would be approximately $12 for a typical residential customer (based on their usage) and will be implemented January 1, 2025. These rates will be effective on an interim basis and are subject to a refund based on approval by the VSCC in fall 2025.

Virginia Natural Gas is committed to helping customers save money on their energy bills and has programs and services that can help make homes more energy efficient. Find energy efficiency tips and programs at https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/residential/ways-to-save/energy-saving-tips.html.

In addition, the company offers energy assistance resources for qualified customers, such as the Budget Plan, which allows customers to manage their energy costs more effectively by spreading payments evenly throughout the year. Learn more at https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/residential/billing-and-payment-options/energy-assistance-programs.html.

For more information about this rate request, visit virginianaturalgas.com/raterequest.

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About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Virginia Natural Gas provides natural gas service to more than 310,000 customers in southeast Virginia. Named a Top Workplace in 2023, Virginia Natural Gas also has been recognized as one of the safest, most reliable and customer-focused natural gas service providers and is consistently ranked in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.


Media Contact:
Morgan Chase
Office: 757-616-7510 | Cell: 757-725-6916
mchase@southernco.com | www.virginianaturalgas.com/company/press-room