Blog

Jun 27, 2025

Chesapeake to reconsider gas compressor rezoning on July 15 | 13newsnow.com

To stream 13News Now on your phone, you need the 13News Now app. Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video CHESAPEAKE,

To stream 13News Now on your phone, you need the 13News Now app.

Next up in 5

Example video title will go here for this video

Next up in 5

Example video title will go here for this video

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Virginia Natural Gas is asking the Chesapeake City Council to rezone a piece of land for a proposed gas compressor station, but some residents are speaking out against it.

During a Chesapeake City Council meeting last week, the council voted against the proposed site, but on Wednesday night, the Council voted to consider the rezoning again on July 15, once they receive more information about the compressor station.

According to the proposal, the station would sit near an industrial area near South Military Highway and Bainbridge Boulevard in Chesapeake.

Shannon Pierce, president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas, told 13News Now that for 65 years, Virginia Natural Gas has performed various operations on an industrial site near the same location where the gas compressor could be.

The reason Pierce said she hopes to have the land rezoned is that part of the site is currently zoned as residential.

“The site was ideal because it's already in an industrial area and there are already energy facilities there,” Pierce explained.

According to the proposal document, the station would facilitate the movement of natural gas to enhance reliability, giving the community access to safe, clean, and affordable natural gas.

While Pierce feels adding the station would be a step in the right direction, some residents who live near the site, like Nicole Stickle, feel differently.

“I’m feeling forced to move if this is approved," she said. "I don’t think that the risks outweigh the benefits whatsoever."

As a mom of three children, Stickle told 13News Now she is concerned about possible health risks that could arise with the compressor station being near her home.

“We’re not saying a compressor station is not needed, we’re just saying it’s not needed near a residential area," Stickle said.