Virginia Natural Gas energizes future leaders with innovative sustainability workshop
2025 Virginia Energy Workshop engages students to learn about fundamentals of energy and living sustainably
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – March 27, 2025 – Virginia Natural Gas (VNG), in partnership with The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, hosted the 2025 Virginia Energy Workshop for Students at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Norfolk, Va. Thanks to a grant from the Virginia Natural Gas Foundation, the workshop was free for all participating students.
More than 80 fifth-grade students from White Oaks Elementary in Virginia Beach attended the workshop, engaging in activities that highlighted the importance of clean, reliable and affordable natural gas. They explored various energy-related stations, built energy-efficient homes and learned about the complexities of energy movement and its role in strengthening communities. The workshop also featured VNG experts demonstrating the latest in drone usage, locating technology and natural gas meters.
Shannon O. Pierce, president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas, emphasized the importance of engaging young minds in the energy sector’s evolving landscape: “At Virginia Natural Gas, we understand that achieving our goals to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 requires support from our next generation of energy leaders! It’s critical that we start the education process now, exposing students to the work we do and the opportunities available to them; while also helping them understand the great things we’re doing in our industry to achieve a cleaner energy future.”
The event spotlighted the critical roles of renewable natural gas, natural gas vehicles and other clean energy options, with VNG employees dedicating their time and expertise. This aligns with VNG’s mission to support community initiatives that deliver comprehensive energy education and build a skilled future workforce.
This event was the fourth in an ongoing series of no-cost energy awareness initiatives supported by a grant to NEED from Virginia Natural Gas. These programs benefit students and teachers by providing valuable resources for understanding clean energy, efficiency and conservation, further enhancing educational curriculums to meet state requirements.
For more information on the 2025 Virginia Energy Workshop for Students and future initiatives, please visit Community.
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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 | www.virginianaturalgas.com/company/press-room