Inflation is up. Costs across the board are high. Affordability is an issue that’s likely affecting the lives of many Virginians — in every aspect, including the cost of energy, whether it’s electric or natural gas.
We hear that sentiment in the voices of some of our Columbia Gas of Virginia customers who echo those same concerns. We are listening and continue to work on providing our customers with solutions to help them manage their energy consumption, bills and more. This includes options for expanded payment plans, crisis assistance, the HeatShare program and age and income qualifying programs. We encourage our customers to visit our website at www.columbiagasva.com or call us at 1-800-543-8911. We are here to help.
As a reminder. Columbia Gas, like many utilities in Virginia, is regulated. When we seek a rate increase, we undergo a thorough review process with the State Corporation Commission and other interested parties to work toward a balanced outcome, which keeps customer costs front of mind, while also ensuring the company is able to make the investments needed to maintain the safety and reliability customers expect.
That being said, in an effort to be transparent about your dollar at work, we’re sharing how Columbia Gas of Virginia energizes the communities we serve. By way of illustration, a breakdown of one dollar’s worth of natural gas for a typical residential customer as of Aug. 1, 2025, is as follows:
- 43 cents: This amount goes directly to purchasing the natural gas you use. We don’t profit from this cost. What we pay is what you pay.
- Six cents: This amount goes to taxes, supporting public services in our communities such as schools, roads and emergency services.
- 23 cents: This amount covers day-to-day operations such as the cost of maintaining natural gas infrastructure, responding to service calls and keeping your natural gas service flowing safely and reliably.
- 28 cents: This amount goes to infrastructure improvements and financing, meaning investments in system upgrades to improve safety, reliability and long-term service, along with the cost of financing those improvements.
Why is it important for us to tell you this? It’s simple: accountability and community impact. By investing in infrastructure and operations, Columbia Gas ensures long-term reliability, safety and community support.
In short, natural gas and Columbia Gas of Virginia, with more than 175 years of service to the Commonwealth, are cornerstones of the energy infrastructure in Virginia.
Finding affordable, reliable and safe energy solutions will require all of us working together in a thoughtful and meaningful way, as we strive to serve our customers and bring value to our communities now and in the years to come.
Jennifer Montague President and COO of Columbia Gas of Virginia
