oil and gas fields in Virginia
Source: Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research - Virginia Energy Patterns and Trends
Virginia produces some natural gas from fields in the southwestern part of the state.
Production of coal bed methane from the Appalachian coal fields is also increasing. Use of coal to generate methane is not new to Virginia. Starting in the 1840's, natural gas was generated from coal by the Petersburg and Hopewell Gas Co. to fuel the gas lights in the city.
Virginia consumes far more natural gas than it produces, so the state imports the gas through pipelines from the Gulf of Mexico region, Ohio/West Virginia, and even from overseas through the Cove Point liquified natural gas (LNG) port in Maryland.
The surge of projects to build power plants to serve Northern Virginia is shaped by the location of natural gas piplines. Most projects are just outside the edge of the non-attainment zone for air quality, in places like Remington (Fauquier County). However, Dominion Resources is adding 400 megawatts to the generating capacity at its Possum Point plant in Prince William County. By converting from coal to natural gas, the utility will simultaneously reduce air pollution. The gas will be supplied by the pipeline running along the Piedmont from the Gulf Coast, and the Possum Point facility may also draw gas from the Cove Point facility (depending upon the price).