Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is increasing the amount of natural gas it procures, transports, or delivers through companies that are committed to reducing methane emissions.

This move reinforces VNG's ongoing dedication to curbing greenhouse gas emissions. VNG's Sustainable Gas Program has received approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC).

As a responsible user of natural gas, VNG has entered into fresh agreements with various suppliers, enabling up to 50% of its clients' current energy needs to be fulfilled with "Next Generation Natural Gas" as of March 2023.

Supports Economy-Wide Decarbonization Efforts

According to Ken Yagelski, Director of Gas Supply for Virginia Natural Gas, the additional procurement of Next Generation Natural Gas supports economy-wide decarbonization efforts across the natural gas supply chain and is complementary to VNG's path to achieving net-zero greenhouse emissions from its operations by 2050.

"At VNG, we are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our value chain, both upstream through the gas production and transmission systems that supply our gas and downstream to our customers," said Yagelski.

"Our Next Generation Natural Gas supply is certified to be produced with lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional natural gas supply. Our customers can feel good knowing we have strong relationships with environmentally conscious producers focused on reducing methane emissions efficiently and effectively during the production cycle."

The additional procurement is also a result of the recently approved Sustainable Gas Program (SGP) by the VSCC.

The program supports the procurement of both Next Generation Natural Gas and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), while allowing for the integration of RNG sources into VNG's pipeline system. 

"Natural gas and the infrastructure that supports it is foundational to a low carbon future and critical as more clean energy solutions are developed," added Yagelski.

"With the approval of the SGP, we are able to leverage the program to procure additional amounts of Next Generation Natural Gas and increase the amount of lower-emission natural gas available to our customers as we pursue our climate and environmental goals."

Since October 2019, VNG has procured natural gas that has been certified to have been produced with lower greenhouse gas emissions as part of its broader commitment to seek gas supply that has been sourced, transported, or distributed by companies that have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to less than 1% across the natural gas value chain.