Bryn Mawr-based Essential Utilities recently closed on the sale of its West Virginia natural gas utility assets.
West Virginia-based Hope Gas purchased the assets.
Selling its West Virginia assets allows Essential to prioritize water and wastewater utilities growth in states where it has scale.
Customers of Essential’s West Virginia natural gas utility assets will experience a transition period that could last up to a year. Customers should continue to contact Peoples’ hotline to report gas emergencies and Peoples’ customer service line. Hope Gas will notify customers when the transition is complete.
“The West Virginia customer base was the smallest of any state in which we operate,” Chris Franklin, Essential Utilities chairman and CEO, said. “This sale is a win-win for Essential and our customers. Hope Gas has a significant presence in their state, and Essential’s teams will now focus on states where we do the majority of our work.”
Essential Utilities provides customers with water, wastewater and natural gas services under the Aqua and Peoples brands. It serves approximately 5.5 million people in nine states.
In Western Pennsylvania, the Peoples Gas operation plays an important role in Essential’s acquisition strategy. Aqua is expanding its footprint into Western Pennsylvania.
The remaining gas operations will focus on reducing emissions.