- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=U.S. Survey Ranks Piedmont Natural Gas a Top Utility Environmental Champion https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/81143?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/81143?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/81143?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=U.S. Survey Ranks Piedmont Natural Gas a Top Utility Environmental Champion&body=ESG News from Duke Energy Corporation https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/81143?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Awards, Ratings & Rankings](/CSR-News/awards-ratings-rankings) # U.S. Survey Ranks Piedmont Natural Gas a Top Utility Environmental Champion Apr 26, 2017 2:55 PM ET ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/4-26-17piedmont_resourceCtr_10_mid.jpg) CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 26, 2017 /3BL Media/ -- A new survey of utility customers nationwide has named Piedmont Natural Gas a Top Utility Environmental Champion of 2017 for initiatives such as slashing emissions in its vehicle fleet and making its facilities more energy efficient. This is the third consecutive year Piedmont has earned the prestigious designation, which is based on a study of nearly 58,000 customers among 130 of the nation's largest residential gas and electric utility providers. Piedmont is one of 40 companies on the list released by Cogent Reports and Market Strategies International. Cogent Reports conducted surveys among residential electric, natural gas and combination utility customers between the second quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017, asking them to rate their utility company's dedication to environmental stewardship. "We are thrilled to be recognized as one of Cogent Reports' top utility champions for 2017," said Frank Yoho, head of gas operations for Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy. "Environmental stewardship is a core value for Piedmont, and we are gratified to know that our customers are aware of and value the many ongoing initiatives Piedmont has undertaken to reduce our impact on our environment and help our customers do the same." In late March, Piedmont celebrated the opening of a new Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-eligible facility in Fayetteville, N.C. LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class sustainable building strategies and practices. Piedmont already operates three LEED-certified facilities in North Carolina – in Charlotte, Rockingham and Tarboro – and one in Nashville. Piedmont also has taken a lead role in championing the use of cleaner, lower-cost compressed natural gas (CNG) as a transportation fuel, resulting in a surge in CNG demand from trucks and other fleet vehicles. Piedmont is nearing completion of its 11th public CNG refueling station, located near the junction of Interstate 40 and U.S. 321 in Hickory. And the company has converted about one-third of its own corporate fleet of approximately 900 vehicles to run on CNG. **About Piedmont Natural Gas** Piedmont Natural Gas, a North Carolina corporation, is an energy services company whose principal business is the distribution of natural gas to more than a million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont provides a foundation for establishing a broader strategic natural gas infrastructure platform within Duke Energy to supplement and complement the previous natural gas pipeline investments and the natural gas business located in the Midwest. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at [duke-energy.com](http://www.duke-energy.com/). The [Duke Energy News Center](http://news.duke-energy.com/) serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, [illumination](http://illumination.duke-energy.com/) is an online destination for stories about people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy. Follow Duke Energy on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/dukeenergy), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/duke-energy-corporation), [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/duke_energy) and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dukeenergy). Media contact: Jennifer Sharpe Office:704.731.4108 I 24-hour:800.559.3853 [![logo](/sites/default/files/Clients/Duke-Energy-Logo-4c.jpg)](/profiles/duke-energy) ### More from Duke Energy Corporation ###### [Duke Energy Announces Loree Elswick as President of the Duke Energy Foundation](/news/duke-energy-announces-loree-elswick-president-duke-energy-foundation) Nov 18, 2025 8:30 AM ET ###### [Duke Energy Foundation Gives $100,000 to One SC Fund as Part of Annual Campaign To Help Fight Hunger in South Carolina](/news/duke-energy-foundation-gives-100000-one-sc-fund-part-annual-campaign-help-fight-hunger-south) Nov 12, 2025 8:30 AM ET ###### [A Home Run Partnership: Duke Energy Foundation, Tampa Bay Rays Donate $82,000 To Help Florida Customers Pay Energy Bills](/news/home-run-partnership-duke-energy-foundation-tampa-bay-rays-donate-82000-help-florida-customers) Oct 14, 2025 9:10 AM ET ###### [Duke Energy Foundation Awarded Corporate Social Impact Team of the Year by the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals](/news/duke-energy-foundation-awarded-corporate-social-impact-team-year-association-corporate) Oct 9, 2025 8:40 AM ET ###### [Building Momentum: Duke Energy Partners With Local Economic Development Organizations to Market High-Potential Industrial Sites in Connersville, Westfield](/news/building-momentum-duke-energy-partners-local-economic-development-organizations-market-high) Oct 7, 2025 9:15 AM ET ###### [Duke Energy Helps Communities Across Ohio and Kentucky Prepare Sites To Bring Local Investment, Jobs](/news/duke-energy-helps-communities-across-ohio-and-kentucky-prepare-sites-bring-local-investment) Oct 3, 2025 9:15 AM ET ###### [Duke Energy and Its Foundation Surpass $30 Million Over 10 Years To Support Community Resilience, Disaster Relief Efforts](/news/duke-energy-and-its-foundation-surpass-30-million-over-10-years-support-community-resilience) Oct 2, 2025 8:55 AM ET ###### [Nonprofits on the Frontlines of Helene Recovery Honored with Staff Care Grants](/news/nonprofits-frontlines-helene-recovery-honored-staff-care-grants) Sep 30, 2025 9:20 AM ET