Bill Pay
Blacksburg Renewal Project: 2024 Update
York County Natural Gas Authority (YCNGA) begins upgrades to natural gas pipelines in Blacksburg.
In 2018, YCNGA announced a multi-year renewal project to upgrade the distribution system to enhance safety, reliability and integrity of the natural gas pipelines in Blacksburg. Since then, several sections of the Blacksburg system have been replaced and upgraded; however, there were a variety of project delays after lengthy permitting reviews, lack of records which slowed installations, limited timeframes throughout the year in order to perform construction, and of course, the 2020 COVID pandemic. With the creation of the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grants (NGDISM), the Authority pursued an opportunity to address the remainder of the Blacksburg Renewal project with the assistance of federal oversight and grant funding.
Working closely with the Catawba Regional Council of Governments (COG), grant approval was obtained after a rigorous application and due-diligence process, including a Tier II Environmental Assessment of the project limits and the issuance of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) provided by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). In 2023, YCNGA was awarded a $5.5 million infrastructure grant from PHMSA to support the Blacksburg Renewal Project, and the final permit was secured in September 2024.
Work on this project is anticipated to begin in early 2025. With an accomplished team of engineers, surveyors, inspectors, safety personnel, and talented pipeliners working together, there is an aggressive—but realistic—completion goal of Winter 2025.
Work will be performed between 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday with minimal impact to traffic in work areas.
We are committed to providing timely and relevant information to our customers and the general public to minimize inconvenience or disruption due to construction activities.
Q U I C K F A C T S
-
Approximately 13 miles of pipeline will be replaced or upgraded throughout this project.
-
Project will begin in early 2025, with a completion goal of Winter 2025.
-
Work will be performed between 8am and 5pm, Monday – Friday with minimal impact to traffic.
-
Gas service will only be impacted when it is time to connect customers to the new gas system at their meter.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We are upgrading the system as part of our obligation to provide safe and reliable natural gas service for our customers. This project will replace existing distribution mains and services with polyethylene plastic pipe, new meters for our customers, and state of the art technology for pipeline maintenance. These upgrades will allow YCNGA to deliver the Town of Blacksburg with affordable and clean natural gas for years to come.
As stewards of the environment, we take great care in implementing the best construction practices to protect trees and plants in your neighborhood. Any surface that must be disturbed will be repaired by YCNGA, including sidewalks, driveways, roadways, and landscaping. We will complete yard cleanup as the project progresses, and perform final cleanup at completion of the project to restore the area to its pre-construction condition.
To minimize traffic disruptions, YCNGA will be using a technique called directional boring, when feasible, under roadways. Underground directional boring avoids the need for open trenches across roads and other surfaces. However, some streets may be closed during construction. If that is the case, we will work with the local officials to reroute traffic and/or notify residents.
No, existing natural gas service to homes and businesses will not be interrupted during construction. However, your service will be interrupted for a short period near the completion of the project when the new service line is connected to your meter.
If you have questions or need assistance, call customer service at 866-578-4427, option 1. Representatives are available to answer your questions between 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday.
To report a gas emergency call 866-201-1001, at any time day or night.
Please stay in touch
If you see a door tag or receive a call from York County Natural Gas please respond ASAP by calling 866-578-4427, option 1. It is important that we hear from you, as we are likely trying to set an appointment to test house-piping and safely restore natural gas service.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN SERVICE IS RECONNECTED
SAFETY CHECKS
Technicians will conduct safety checks when service is reconnected. In accordance with appropriate codes, we are prohibited from installing a meter without evidence that the piping has been tested, inspected and approved.
House-piping or appliances that do not pass a safety check and are out of code must be repaired by a qualified professional of your choice to ensure proper functioning and safe operation. House piping costs are not reimbursed by YCNGA. Once repairs are made to the piping or appliances and they pass safety checks, YCNGA can safely restore service.
YCNGA owns all piping from the gas main up to your meter. Any piping from the meter to your household appliances is owned by you. For more information on house-piping click here.
Now’s a GREAT time to convert
to Natural Gas Appliances!
Get REBATES up to $925
Natural gas appliances are efficient and reliable, saving you money on your monthly utility bills. We offer REBATES when you switch to natural gas from another energy source. For a limited time, YCNGA is also offering REBATES to Blacksburg residents when they replace or upgrade their existing natural gas appliances.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Natural gas furnace/central heating – $400
Natural gas water heater (tank or tankless) – $400
Natural gas stove top/range – $50
Natural gas clothes dryer – $75
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Become a Customer
