Chester, VA – Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc., a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is offering reminders to customers for October related to a change in their upcoming natural gas bills, and upcoming opportunities for support through energy assistance programs.
In May, Columbia Gas filed a request with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to approve revised rates to recover investments and other costs associated with the company’s ongoing proactive initiatives to improve the overall safety and reliability of its natural gas distribution system for its customers throughout its service territory in Virginia.
It is important to note that after filing for a rate adjustment, the thorough review process by the SCC could take up to a year. Columbia Gas expects to implement the new rates on an interim basis, subject to refund, beginning in early October 2026.
During this interim period, the total average monthly natural gas bill for a typical Columbia Gas residential customer would increase by $10.81 per month or by approximately 11.11 percent over current rates. The actual bill impact is dependent on each customer's actual monthly usage. If the SCC approves a rate change that is less than what Columbia Gas has proposed, then the difference will be refunded to affected customers, with interest.
“We recognize that any bill change continues to be a real concern, but we want customers to know that assistance is available,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “Columbia Gas is committed to providing our customers with tools, resources and programs to help them stay safe and warm in their homes."
Available energy assistance programs include the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The LIHEAP enrollment period in Virginia opens on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and closes on Friday, Nov. 13.
LIHEAP is a federally-funded program administered through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) as the Fuel Assistance program. In addition to one-time cash grants, which are available yearly, crisis grants are also available to assist income-eligible households without heat or in danger of being without heat. Customers can apply online via the Commonwealth of Virginia CommonHelp portal at commonhelp.virginia.gov.
The income eligibility for the program is 150 percent of the 2026 federal income guidelines, meaning that an individual with an annual income of up to $23,940 is eligible to apply and a family of four with an annual income of up to $49,500 can apply.
In addition to LIHEAP Fuel Assistance, Columbia Gas offers other assistance programs that feature flexible payment options, budget plans and income-eligible financial support.
Any Columbia Gas customer who may have fallen behind on their energy bills is encouraged to call the Customer Care Center at 1-800-543-8911 or visit www.columbiagasva.com/assistance for more information.
About Columbia Gas of Virginia
Columbia Gas of Virginia delivers clean, affordable and efficient natural gas to approximately 293,000 customers in 98 communities across the Commonwealth. With headquarters in Chesterfield County, it is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers. More information about Columbia Gas of Virginia and NiSource, Inc., including our record of leadership in sustainability, investments in the communities we serve, and how we live our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner, is available at www.ColumbiaGasVA.com and www.NiSource.com.
About NiSource
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.3 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across six states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. The mission of our approximately 7,400 employees is to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers. NiSource is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability - North America Index and is on Forbes lists of America’s Best Employers for Women and Diversity. Learn more about NiSource’s record of leadership in sustainability, investments in the communities it serves and how we live our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner at www.NiSource.com. NI-F
