Virginia State Corporation Commission Issues Order on Virginia Natural Gas, Inc.'s Petition

Strategic Insights -

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) has issued a final order in Case No. PUR-2025-00072 regarding a petition filed by Virginia Natural Gas, Inc. (VNG). The petition sought a limited waiver of emergency call center restrictions to allow in-person VNG call center employees to field emergency calls originating from the service territories of VNG, Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGL), and Chattanooga Gas Company (CGC) in limited circumstances related to staffing contingencies at the Georgia call center.

Key Takeaways:

  • The VSCC dismissed VNG's Motion for Interim Authority and Expedited Consideration as moot, finding that VNG's request is consistent with the Commission's prior requirement that VNG use a traditional in-person call center to field emergency calls from the public.
  • The Commission directed VNG to inform the Division of Utility and Railroad Safety within 24 hours if it permits in-person VNG call center employees to field emergency calls originating from VNG, AGL, or CGC's service territories in limited circumstances related to staffing contingencies at the Georgia call center.
  • The Commission instructed VNG to work with Staff to ensure that the Commission's Pipeline Safety Standards are not impaired.
  • VNG's Petition and Motion were dismissed, but the Company is required to inform the Commission within 24 hours of any changes to its emergency call process.
  • This order affects VNG's ability to implement an alternative to its current emergency call process in the event of staffing contingencies at the Georgia call center.
  • The Commission's decision does not affect VNG's current business continuity and operational processes.
  • The order emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the Commission's Pipeline Safety Standards are not impaired.

Statistics:

  • Case No. PUR-2025-00072
  • Staffing contingencies at the Georgia call center
  • Limited waiver of emergency call center restrictions
  • No limited waiver is necessary
  • 24 hours: the timeframe for VNG to inform the Commission of any changes to its emergency call process

Sources:

  • Commonwealth of Virginia, 250720026, STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION AT RICHMOND, JULY 11, 2025, CASE NO. PUR-2025-00072 FINAL ORDER
  • Application of Virginia Natural Gas, Inc., For a general rate increase and for authority to revise the terms and conditions applicable to natural gas service. Case No. PUR-2022-00052
  • Application of Virginia Natural Gas, Inc., For a general increase in rates and for authority to revise the terms and conditions applicable to natural gas service, Case No. PUR-2020-00095
  • 5 VAC 5-20-80 and 5 VAC 5-20-110
  • 5 VAC 5-20-10, et seq. ("Rules of Practice")