MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Hope Gas is celebrating 24-months since their inception with an add campaign keying in on the phrase “Bringing Hope Back.” The campaign seeks to highlight one of the first decisions made by President and CEO Morgan O’Brien following the acquisition—bringing back the original name from 1898, Hope Gas.
On MetroNews “Talkline,” Vice President of Government Affairs, Greg Hoyer, said they also want customers to understand the efficiencies and affordability natural gas provides for commercial and residential uses.
“It’s really highlighting the use of natural gas and the benefits that come from that affordable fuel source,” Hoyer said.
Another early decision was to move operations from Richmond, Virginia, to Morgantown. The company started with 100 workers in 35,000 square feet of the West Virginia Innovation Corporation operated by West Virginia University. The company now employs at least 250 more workers to maintain the distribution system that serves 140,000 customers. The company also engages with union labor for contract operations throughout their service area.
“Part of bringing the “Hope” name back was bringing almost 200 employees back into the fold in Morgantown,” Hoyer said.
Over that two-year period, the company has acquired Equitrans Gathering, Hometown Gas, Peoples Gas WV, and Southern Public Gas Company. An acquisition of Standard Gas Company and Bazzle Gas Company expanded their reach into 38 of the 55 counties in the state. As the acquisitions are made, the company has also improved portions of the delivery system, increasing reliability.
“We’ve lowered rates over the last 24-months, and a lot of that has to do with the price of natural gas and being able to expand our footprint across West Virginia in some strategic ways,” Hoyer said. ”
Hoyer said the future of natural gas as a key energy source is bright. Natural gas has emerged as an alternative for electricity production and is more frequently being used in the transportation industry. The company has plans to build a power generation facility at the North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB). O’Brien said the facility would provide electricity 365 days a year without disruption and would be used to attract more industry to the area.
“I think now this next look forward is going to include natural gas to an extent we probably haven’t seen here,” Hoyer said.
Hoyer said the last 24-months, lowering rates, and adding employees have provided momentum that is the source of the “hope” in the campaign they want to share with the rest of the state.
“I think anybody, whether it’s us bringing the “Hope” name back in the last 24-months or anybody who’s been around for the last four or five years, there’s an energy like we’ve never seen before,” Hoyer said.