Virginia Natural Gas named among nation’s most trusted utilities by business customers
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – July 12, 2021 – For a third year in a row, Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) has been recognized as one of the most trusted utilities in the nation in a leading study of utility industry brands and business customer engagement released by Escalent, a top human behavior and analytics advisory firm.
Virginia Natural Gas was named among the top 24 companies on Escalent's 2021 Trusted Business Partner list of utilities that scored highest nationally in brand trust on the Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™: Business study. VNG also ranked fourth nationally for natural gas providers in business customer brand trust benchmark scoring by more than 15,600 business customers surveyed from the 79 largest utilities across the U.S.
“At Virginia Natural Gas, we work tirelessly at keeping our customers at the center of everything we do, from our energy assistance programs to our investments in safe and reliable infrastructure,” said Robert Duval, president of Virginia Natural Gas. “We are honored by this award, and this ranking reflects the dedication of our entire team and commitment to our customers, especially during these trying times.”
Escalent noted in the study that business customers trust their utility companies significantly more after energy companies, like VNG, stepped in to support local economies and communities during the pandemic. Their utility, businesses said, is also a trusted adviser and partner in their success.
“We have recognized the challenges faced by our customers and community during this pandemic,” said Duvall. “Along with providing financial assistance to customers through approximately $4.4 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund grants, we have also invested in the community through multiple relief efforts and community partnerships by donating more than $1.2 million to over 45 local nonprofits throughout Coastal Virginia. Virginia Natural Gas is committed to supporting customers as we all move forward and recover together from this pandemic and its impact on our economy.”
Escalent's study explores utility relationships with business customers through a customer experience "Balanced Scorecard" approach. The study evaluates utilities on customer focus, community support, communications effectiveness, reliable quality, company reputation, customer advocacy and environmental dedication.
For more information about Virginia Natural Gas, visit www.virginianaturalgas.com.
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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 clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service to more than 300,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in southeast Virginia. Consistently ranked in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the company also has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association for its safety, innovation, environmental stewardship, community outreach and educational programs, and has been named Local Distribution Company of the year four times since 2015. The company has been ranked by its business customers as one of the most Trusted Business Partners in the utility industry according to Cogent Reports, and as one of the Top Workplaces in Hampton Roads by Inside Business. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Southern Company Gas
Media Contact:
Rick DelaHaya
o: 757.616.7510 | c: 757.323.7366 | rdelahay@southernco.com
