Natural Gas Coalition of Virginia Formally Launches to Support theGrowing Need for Reliable Natural Gas in the Commonwealth
A growing group of stakeholders in the natural gas industry, the Coalition forms to demonstrate the overwhelming benefits of natural gas.
Richmond, VA (September 16, 2025) – Today, the Natural Gas Coalition of Virginia (Coalition) formally announces its launch as the voice of the natural gas industry in the Commonwealth, including distributors, pipelines, utilities, and trade associations. As Virginia faces increasing energy demands and the growing need for more safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas, the Coalition will demonstrate to decision makers the role natural gas plays, and will continue to play, in Virginia's energy landscape and in Virginians' everyday lives.
Our mission is to help meet the Commonwealth's growing energy demands through the use of safe, reliable, affordable, and efficient natural gas. The Coalition will provide trusted resources and insight to decision makers across Virginia resulting in a vibrant and healthy economy, environment, and community.
Bruce McKay of BHE GT&S and Chair of the Coalition stated, "The establishment of the Natural Gas Coalition of Virginia is exciting and will provide much needed and unabashed support for the continued and growing use of natural gas to reliably and affordably meet Virginia's energy needs. As the Commonwealth experiences increasing energy demands, we know natural gas already is critical to stabilizing our grid and ensures certainty for consumers, so the awareness the Coalition plans to provide will guarantee a secure energy future for Virginia."
Shannon Pierce, President and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas, a Coalition member company, said, "Virginia Natural Gas is thrilled to be a founding member of the Natural Gas Coalition of Virginia as our mission is rooted in service and furthered by collaboration. As we celebrate our 175th anniversary, we are focused on meeting the energy needs of customers and communities in Southeastern Virginia with energy that is safe, reliable and affordable. The Coalition will help serve as an important and cohesive voice of the natural gas industry in Virginia and help decision makers understand the critical role of natural gas in supporting families and jobs in our communities."
Tommy Oliver of Roanoke Gas Company added, "In Southwest Virginia, every day we see the need for natural gas to satisfy our growing customer base and as a critical tool for recruiting much-needed economic development to our region. Roanoke Gas was eager to be a founding member of the Natural Gas Coalition of Virginia and to partner in ensuring a reliable energy future for the Commonwealth as a whole."
The world has changed, but natural gas in Virginia is still safe, reliable, affordable, and driving economic growth. This is a key message the Coalition will deliver and reiterate. Natural gas impacts the lives of Virginians every day, delivering more than half of the generation consumed in Virginia each year. Whether it's the meal cooked at a favorite restaurant, the electricity powering an operating room, the fuel for public transit, or the heating at a child's school, natural gas continues to be a safe, reliable, and affordable source of energy for all Virginians.
September marks National Preparedness Month, which is a timely reminder that now more than ever there is a need for grid security and stability to keep the lights on, especially during times of extreme weather.
Additionally, Virginia recognizes the week of September 15 as Reliable, Affordable, and Clean Energy Week, acknowledging "natural gas, which contributed to a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions over the last 20 years as part of Virginia's clean energy transition, accounts for 55 percent of Virginia's total in-state electricity generation[.]"
Along with its reliability and affordability, natural gas is also a low-impact energy source that supports most of the energy generation in Virginia. As more natural gas has come online since 2010, Virginia has also seen a robust reduction in carbon emissions due to natural gas's low-carbon intensity. As Virginia adds more renewables—something the Coalition supports—natural gas will still be needed when those intermittent sources are offline.
The Natural Gas Coalition of Virginia looks forward to the work ahead and to proudly underscoring natural gas's invaluable place in the Commonwealth.
Founding members of the Coalition include:
• BHE GT&S
• American Petroleum Institute
• Virginia Natural Gas
• Dominion Energy
• Appalachian Power
• Washington Gas
• RGC Resources
• Atmos Energy
• CNX Resources
• Williams Companies
• Mountain Valley Pipeline
• TC Energy
• Southwestern Virginia Gas
• Enbridge
• Virginia Oil & Gas Association