Your prices could be set by a competitive market
This program is available to our commercial and industrial customers. In order to participate, an electronic measurement or automatic meter reading device with associated telemetering equipment must be installed at the service location. You can choose to purchase your natural gas from a certified supplier instead of us. If you choose to purchase your natural gas from a supplier, we will continue to deliver the same reliable service, read your meter, perform safety checks, and respond to emergencies.The price of natural gas charged by a supplier is set by a competitive market, meaning there is no guarantee you’ll save money, but they may offer pricing and special incentives. You will still receive an invoice from Columbia Gas for the delivery of the natural gas to your location, along with various meter charges, banking and balancing fees and applicable tax. Separately, your supplier will bill you for your natural gas supply.
How to enroll
- Review our list of current suppliers below.
- Evaluate the offer and compare prices. The Virginia State Corporation Commission lists full current approved suppliers and eligibility.
- Suppliers offer different risks and rewards, such as fixed and variable rates, flat discounts and up-front incentives.
- Consider the contract terms. Since many suppliers require you to agree to contract terms, you’ll want to know contract length and if you can cancel.
- Choose a supplier and complete the Columbia Gas Transportation Service Agreement, which your supplier is responsible for submitting to us for your enrollment
- Once enrolled in the Transportation Service program, your bill will be sent on a one month delay (example: your January bill will be mailed to you in February)
- Transportation Service customers can view and pay their bills online through our Aviator website
Current suppliers
BP Energy |
Colonial Energy |
Constellation New Energy www.constellation.com |
Enspire Energy, LLC |
Gas South |
Koch Energy Services |
Mansfield Power and Gas |
Novec Energy Solutions www.novec.com |
NRG Business Marketing, LLC www.directenergy.com |
NUS Consulting Group |
Scana Energy |
Shell Energy 757-228-3930 |
Stand Energy Corporation www.standenergy.com |
Summit Energy Services |
Total Utility Management www.tumsllc.com |
UGI Energy Services, LLC. |
VA Power |
WGL Energy Services www.wglenergy.com |
Common questions
Why can another supplier offer natural gas at a lower price than Columbia Gas?
Columbia Gas is a regulated utility required to price gas on an average basis to all customers. We also must include certain fixed charges relative to reliability of delivery. By purchasing gas from another supplier, you can tailor the level of service reliability and your supplier can target particular gas supplies to satisfy your needs.
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Will I get two bills – one from the supplier and one from Columbia Gas?
Yes. You will receive one bill from Columbia Gas and one from your supplier. Your Columbia GTS bill will reflect your transportation charges or the cost of delivering the gas to your facility. This could also include a commodity charge from Columbia Gas, which occurs when your supplier falls short in delivering enough gas to your facility. The bill from your supplier will reflect the cost of the gas commodity delivered to Columbia Gas on your behalf.
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What is Gas Transportation Service (GTS)?
Under the GTS program, customers have the option of purchasing their gas from a supplier. Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc. (Columbia Gas) will continue to deliver the natural gas to your facility, but the purchase function will be handled by the company of your choice. This method of natural gas purchasing is similar to the telecommunications industry where you choose a long distance provider.
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What is included in the cost of your natural gas service?
First, there's the cost of the natural gas itself. We refer to this as the "commodity cost." Next comes the "transportation cost." This is the cost of delivering the natural gas from the supplier or producer to the Columbia Gas distribution system. It includes fixed or demand charges to reserve the pipeline capacity needed to transport and store your gas for when you need it. And lastly, we have the "distribution cost." This is the cost of delivering gas to your facility. It includes not only the actual delivery costs, but also such items as pipeline maintenance, system upgrading, meter reading, and billing.
When you enter the GTS program, you are essentially purchasing the gas or commodity from a supplier of your choice, rather than Columbia Gas. Transportation costs remain the same, as do the costs associated with the distribution service.
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Changing suppliers is a big decision. What advice can you offer?
Be sure you fully understand any arrangement that you agree to and understand the terms of the agreement you sign.
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If I do decide to choose another supplier, what is my next step?
Once you have chosen a supplier, that supplier will provide you with the necessary paperwork to participate and enroll in GTS. Columbia Gas will process the contract once we receive the agreement and all of the necessary information from you and/or your supplier.
In addition, the GTS program with Columbia Gas of Virginia requires all GTS customers to have an Electronic Flow Corrector (EFC) and a working phone source to obtain daily meter readings. To learn more, talk to your local Columbia Gas representative.
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How do I sign up for Gas Transportation?
Choose a supplier. You may contact Columbia Gas for a list of qualified suppliers and they are listed on our website. Your chosen supplier will forward the necessary paperwork to you for your approval. This will include a Gas Transportation Service Agreement between you and Columbia Gas, detailing your service options, volume requirements, service address, account contact information, and the name of your supplier. You may also be required to execute an agreement with your supplier. Your supplier is responsible for returning the Gas Transportation Service Agreement to Columbia Gas for further processing.
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Would I save money if I purchase gas from a different supplier?
Costs vary from supplier to supplier. This is something you would need to discuss with potential suppliers.
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Why would I buy my gas from someone other than Columbia Gas?
There might be an opportunity to save money on your gas cost. Suppliers are not subject to state utility commission pricing regulations and can price their gas differently than Columbia Gas. Under federal and state regulations, gas costs are passed through to all sales customers on an average basis, dollar-for-dollar. Columbia Gas is not permitted to "mark-up" gas costs. Columbia Gas derives its income from the delivery of gas through its distribution system to both sales and transportation customers. You are our customer whether you purchase traditional sales service from Columbia Gas, or choose to purchase it from a third-party supplier.
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Columbia Gas has always been able to supply the natural gas that I wanted and needed. Is there any chance that another supplier might not be as reliable if we have an exceptionally cold winter or other emergency?
The possibility does exist. However, there are safeguards and if you feel you would like to take advantage of them, you may contract with Columbia Gas to purchase Backup Service or you may install an alternate fuel source. We suggest you talk to your local Columbia Gas Representative as well as any potential suppliers about these options.
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If I decide to buy my gas from another supplier and it does not work out, will Columbia Gas still provide my gas service?
Columbia Gas may provide you gas under our normal system supply rate schedules provided that:
- Your return to system supply does not negatively impact the rate non-transportation customers pay
- You are willing to absorb any increased costs caused by your return to sales service
- You give proper notice per the Gas Transportation service agreement and tariff
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