Virginia Natural Gas announces new renewable natural gas project in partnership with HRSD
Innovative project to capture biogas and convert it into pipeline-ready natural gas, reducing HRSD plant emissions
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – May 12, 2025 – Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is launching a groundbreaking renewable natural gas (RNG) initiative in collaboration with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD). Once the project is approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and construction is completed, the new facility will transform biogas produced from organic waste at HRSD’s Atlantic Treatment Plant into RNG.
The partnership aligns with the Virginia Energy Innovation Act, which promotes investment in biogas facilities by natural gas utilities. Though located within an existing HRSD facility, VNG will own, operate and maintain the biogas conditioning system that ensures the RNG meets pipeline-quality standards. VNG will have exclusive rights to all gas produced by this project, including all associated environmental attributes, which VNG may sell, either bundled with physical gas or separately, to customers or third parties interested in lowering emissions associated with their gas consumption. The project will be directly interconnected into VNG’s pipeline system.
"We are delighted to collaborate with HRSD on this pioneering project," said Shannon O. Pierce, president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas. "This effort underscores our commitment to sustainability, helping reduce HRSD’s emissions and making RNG products available for those with sustainability goals, while bringing substantial economic benefits to the communities we serve."
Jay Bernas, General Manager and CEO of HRSD, added, "This project aligns perfectly with our priority of environmental responsibility and the promise we’ve made to the region we serve. By capturing our biogas and converting it into renewable energy, we are taking a significant step toward recovering natural resources for a sustainable future as well as reducing our plant’s emissions. Revenues generated from this innovative partnership will be used to further enhance our operational efficiencies and advance more innovative projects such as this one.”
Once completed, the new facility will significantly reduce emissions and create a beneficial use for a common byproduct of the wastewater treatment process. Currently, HRSD flares most of the biogas it produces. Once the RNG facility is operational, the biogas will be refined and injected into the natural gas pipeline system.
Individuals and businesses will be able to purchase the environmental attributes associated with this renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint. This project will also minimize the need for on-site flaring at HRSD’s Atlantic Treatment Plant, reducing HRSD’s plant emissions.
###
About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies under Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Serving over 310,000 customers in southeast Virginia, Virginia Natural Gas was again named a Top Workplace in 2024. The company has earned recognition for its safety, reliability and customer focus among natural gas service providers, and was named 2024 LDC of the Year by the VA Dept of Energy and VA Oil & Gas Association. 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