City rebrands natural gas division as Richmond Gas Works in effort to remain competitive

As part of an effort to broaden its customer base, the City of Richmond’s Natural Gas division announced earlier this week it has changed its name to Richmond Gas Works–a name it hopes will appeal to more customers as the city aims to sell more natural gas.

The new branding is a result of multi-year strategic effort to align the utility with its customers’ needs and to build a framework for growth in the marketplace. The gas utility goes beyond the bounds of the city limits. In fact, it serves Henrico County and northern Chesterfield County. The new name, officials say, is an attempt to speak more to that broader geographic base.

The department also sought to create a distinction between the gas division and its Department of Public Utility counterparts, allowing the organization to be more competitive within the energy sector and responsive to the needs of the customer and the market.

“Richmond Gas Works is more than a utility; the people here keep the Richmond region running,” Mayor Levar Stoney said at a press conference Wednesday morning at the City Hall observation deck announcing the changes. “A stronger Richmond Gas Works makes for a more powerful and profitable region. I am pleased with this new direction and eager to see the organization continue its growing impact on the region.”

Richmond Gas Works will launch an awareness campaign later this year that highlights the benefits of natural gas to meet both commercial and residential energy needs as consumers are faced with more choices.