Virginia Natural Gas Wins Prestigious LDC of the Year Award

Honored for leadership in sustainability, infrastructure development and community engagement

Virginia Beach, VA. – October 16, 2024 - Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is honored to receive the Virginia Department of Energy Award for Local Distribution Company (LDC) of the Year for the sixth time. This prestigious recognition from the Virginia Oil and Gas Association (VOGA) recognizes the company's outstanding achievements in sustainability, infrastructure investments and corporate philanthropy.

“This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of our customers and communities across Coastal Virginia,” said Shannon O. Pierce, president of VNG. “It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the VNG team who ensure the safe, reliable delivery of natural gas energy every day. As members of this community for 175 years, we are committed to more than just providing gas; we are dedicated to supporting and growing this community by creating new opportunities and empowering our neighbors.”

VNG's commitment to environmental sustainability was a key factor in earning the LDC of the Year award. Through the Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy (SAVE) program, VNG has modernized over 575 miles of pipelines since 2012, reducing methane emissions by 35%. The company aims to achieve a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, demonstrating its dedication to environmental conservation and regulatory compliance.

Infrastructure investments were another crucial element of VNG's recognition. In 2023, the company supplied residential and small business customers with up to 50% certified Next Generation Natural Gas, achieving 100% by April 2024. The sustainable gas program, approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, promotes Renewable Natural Gas production, benefiting the distribution system and supporting local economies.

VNG's focus on customer satisfaction was also recognized. In 2023, the company expanded its operations by launching a Customer Care Center in Virginia Beach, bringing those capabilities locally and creating nearly a dozen new jobs. This expansion has significantly improved VNG's ability to support customer needs and streamline the customer experience. Additionally, VNG eliminated the convenience fee for bill payments and intentionally focused on expanding the availability of two-hour appointment windows from the standard four-hour window.

The Virginia Department of Energy’s Division of Gas and Oil and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association created the annual award program to recognize outstanding achievements by members of the gas and oil industry in Virginia. For more information about the Industry Excellence awards, visit the Virginia Oil and Gas Association.

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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, consistently ranking in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power. 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