About our rate case
On Monday, April 29, 2024, Columbia Gas of Virginia filed a request with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) seeking approval to adjust base rates for distribution service to allow for the Company’s continued improvements to its natural gas distribution system and to accommodate sustained demand for natural gas. These filed rates seek an increase in annual revenues of approximately $52.6 million.
As part of this process, we requested interim rate changes to be effective with the first billing unit of October 2024, which begins September 27, 2024, subject to refund. Customers will begin seeing these interim rates in their October statements. If the SCC ultimately approves a rate change that is less than what Columbia Gas has proposed, then we will refund the difference to customers, with interest.
Current tariff
The SCC approves rules and regulations that govern the operations and rates of Columbia Gas of Virginia. See our tariff for our rules and regulations.
2024 CVA Rate Case Interim Rates Frequently Asked Questions
What are base rates?
Base rates generate the revenue needed to recover the costs to repair, upgrade, and operate Columbia Gas of Virginia’s natural gas delivery system. This system includes more than 5,530 miles of pipelines, regulator stations, meters, and other facilities. Base rates represent about 60 percent of a typical customer’s total bill. The remaining 40 percent of the bill consists of natural gas commodity costs. As a regulated utility, Columbia Gas purchases gas on the wholesale market and, under Virginia law, passes those natural gas costs on to the customer without mark-up or profit.
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What is a rate case?
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Why are you asking to raise rates?
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What is an interim rate?
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At what rate will Columbia Gas bill their customers during this interim period?
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What are the customer benefits in this rate request?
Infrastructure Upgrades. We are enhancing the safety of our system through our SAVE pipeline replacement program by investing millions of dollars each year to replace aging distribution pipelines. We remain committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient natural gas distribution service.
System Reliability. Upgrades to the system with plastic and cathodically protected steel pipe not only maintain safety, but also provide an upgraded system design ensuring more reliable service during extreme cold temperatures.
Pipeline Maintenance Enhancements. Sustained and enhanced system maintenance practices will further improve the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas. Columbia Gas is also proposing improvements to reduce the amount of damage done to our distribution facilities by external parties, a high risk to the safety of our system.
Safety Enhancements. In addition to infrastructure replacement projects through the SAVE Plan, Columbia Gas is proposing expanded data verification and collection processes for its pipelines, and improvements for locating and marking gas facilities. These are a few of the many safety initiatives Columbia Gas is proposing that will enhance the safety and reliability of its system.
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When was the last time Columbia Gas asked to adjust its rates?
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Why is Columbia Gas requesting this increase at this time?
Safety is Columbia Gas’s number one priority, and we are committed to our continued investment in the safest possible natural gas delivery system for our customers and communities. From 2023 through 2025, Columbia Gas expects to make over $442 million in capital investments for the benefits of customers. This filing seeks a reasonable return for our investment in replacing and upgrading our natural gas distribution system.
Additionally, Columbia Gas is focused on safely operating and maintaining our pipeline system, meeting or exceeding all federal and state requirements. This base rate request incorporates expenses associated with safety initiatives and improved processes for locating company facilities that will reduce third-party damages to the distribution system, which is a high risk to our system.
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What about customers who have trouble paying their bills?
At all times, Columbia Gas is committed to providing our low-income customers with the tools, resources, and programs to stay safe and warm in their homes. These programs help customers mitigate the impact of a rate adjustment or financial changes due to economic conditions.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Columbia Gas serves as a link to federal energy assistance funds which provide help with residential heating costs. These energy grants do not have to be repaid by the customer. Enrollment guidelines, which are revised each new heating season, are based on household size and income. LIHEAP is administered by the Virginia Energy Assistance Program through the Department of Social Services. Learn more by visiting commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/.
Crisis – Emergency Energy Assistance: A component of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Crisis Emergency Energy Assistance provides funds for customers in emergency situations and who are in danger of losing their heat.
HeatShare: A special heating assistance program funded by our contributions and donations from our caring customers, HeatShare provides grants to low-income residential customers to pay off past-due bills or restore service. Administered by the Dollar Energy Fund, the Columbia Gas HeatShare program is available to eligible customers who have exhausted all other available energy assistance programs.
Age and Income Qualifying Program: Eligible customers could receive supplies to help you save energy on water and home heating. Please contact our contract partner Community Housing Partners at 1-888-229-3714.
Expanded Payment Plans: Columbia Gas offers an expanded number of flexible payment plans to help spread the balance due on natural gas bills across multiple months. We’ve made it easy to enroll in our 3-, 6-, 9- or 12-Month Basic Extended Payment Plans by visiting www.columbiagasva.com/paymentplans or by calling us at 1-800-543-8911.
Budget Payment Plan: Available to all Columbia Gas customers, the Budget Payment Plan allows customers to spread annual bills evenly across the year instead of paying account balances each month, helping to eliminate high winter bills.
More information can be found on our website at www.columbiagasva.com/assistance.
For more information on the filing or specific programs detailed in the filing, visit www.columbiagasva.com/rate-case.
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