Chesapeake Utilities Wins Bid to Explore Virginia Eastern Shore Gas Pipeline
Chesapeake Utilities has been selected to explore a natural gas pipeline expansion to Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a project aimed at improving energy reliability and supporting economic development in a region without existing gas service.
(P&GJ) — Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has been selected by the Accomack County Board of Supervisors to begin engineering a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion aimed at improving energy reliability on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Under the award, Chesapeake Utilities will evaluate a new natural gas system that the company would construct, own and operate to extend pipeline infrastructure from outside Princess Anne, Maryland, to Temperanceville, Virginia. Accomack County will contribute $6.5 million through a state grant to support the project’s initial phase.
The proposed pipeline would serve residential customers as well as major employers, including NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island operations and regional poultry producers. The system is intended to provide a lower-cost and more reliable alternative to electricity and heating oil in a region that currently lacks access to piped natural gas.
“Access to natural gas is an essential catalyst for economic growth,” said Jeff Householder, president, CEO and chair of the board. “We're proud to partner with Accomack County and the Commonwealth of Virginia to explore infrastructure that will support employers, attract new industry and lower energy costs for the community.”
A state-commissioned study completed in 2022 identified natural gas access as a key driver of future economic development on the Eastern Shore. According to Chesapeake Utilities, the project would support long-term energy reliability while helping attract new investment to the region.
Funding from the county will be used to advance early project development, including engineering, permitting, land acquisition and preparation of a capital investment estimate. Any future construction would be subject to additional approvals.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company with operations spanning natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane services and mobile compressed natural gas solutions.