O&G Tells Incoming Va. Gov. to Keep Pledge to Embrace NatGas (LOL)
Those who support natural gas and who live (and work) in Virginia apparently labor under a serious delusion: That far-left Democrat Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will support expanding (or even the continued use of) natural gas in the state. On the campaign trail in August, Spanberger said that natural gas is going to “be part of the energy mix into the future.” And people actually believed her. Suckers. Those who support natgas are reminding Spanberger of her promise regarding natgas. And now that she’s been elected? “Spanberger’s campaign did not return a request for comment on the future of natural gas in Virginia.” She’s ghosting natgas supporters. Suprised? We aren’t. Read More “O&G Tells Incoming Va. Gov. to Keep Pledge to Embrace NatGas (LOL)”


Finally, some movement on approving a new gas-fired power plant project in Chesterfield County, VA. Dominion Energy plans to build four small “peaker” electric generating plants in Chesterfield County near Richmond (see 

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Despite a “public outcry” (of 13 people), the Chesapeake City (Virginia) Council voted 6-3 in July to approve a compressor station for Virginia Natural Gas (see
We spotted an interesting court ruling in Virginia with the potential to impact midstream (pipeline) companies in the state. The case is Zinner v. Washington Gas Light Co. On July 1, the Court of Appeals of Virginia ruled that a proposed Washington Gas Light (WGL) natural gas pipeline project is a “distribution” and not a “transmission” pipeline project. In Virginia, distribution pipelines are exempt from needing to conform to local municipal ordinances, while transmission lines are subject to such ordinances. 
Two pipeline kingpins are engaged in a scuffle with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to get their competing pipeline projects approved. One is Williams’ Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, the other is EQT’s MVP Southgate project. Both projects would be built in the same general area, starting at the same point near Chatham, Virginia, and ending near Eden, North Carolina. Both claim they have customers ready to take their gas. In a recent FERC filing, Williams said that its project could easily handle Southgate MVP’s capacity by adding meter tubes and regulation at an existing station. EQT is not pleased with the attempt to undercut Southgate. The question is: Will FERC approve both, or just one?
Despite a “public outcry” (of 13 people), the Chesapeake City (Virginia) Council voted 6-3 on Tuesday night to approve a compressor station for Virginia Natural Gas (VNG). The City Council previously voted, on June 17, to deny permission. This was a reconsideration vote. The proposed site is already zoned industrial and has other VNG operations already in place. It’s not like it’s being constructed in the middle of a neighborhood.
A pipeline court case to celebrate (we take our victories where we can find them). Washington Gas Light Company (WGL) seeks to install a 24-inch-diameter high-pressure natural gas pipeline through the Pimmit Hills neighborhood in Fairfax County, Virginia. Fairfax County is a suburb of Washington, D.C. The County Zoning Board of Appeals claimed the project needs a “special exemption” issued by the County Board of Supervisors (nine of the Supervisors are Democrats, one is a Republican). The Court of Appeals for Virginia knocked that bogus claim down.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and its Regional Entities recently issued a report reviewing how the country’s Bulk-Power System performed well during successive cold weather events in January 2025. The report found that the system was a stellar performer, with no significant issues in either the natural gas or electric systems. The 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) was called out for its “crucial role” in helping to keep the lights on throughout the Atlantic Coast region during the coldest parts of winter.
During last week’s first quarter update from Williams, management announced a new project called the Transco Power Express expansion. The project will expand Transco capacity by a whopping 950 MMcf/d (nearly a full Bcf) to flow more Marcellus/Utica molecules to the power-hungry Virginia market. The Virginia market is power hungry because of the data centers already built there, and the many more planned for the state. The Power Express project, if built, is expected to go online in the third quarter of 2030 (five years from now).