Virginia Natural Gas, a subsidiary of AGL Resources , announced today it has selected Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. of Virginia Beach and Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. of Newport News as the prime engineering firms for the Hampton Roads Crossing (HRX) project.

Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corporation , will serve as the prime engineering contractor for the HRX project. The firm is responsible for determining the final route alignment of the natural gas pipeline, field and hydrographic survey work, right-of-way identification and easement acquisition, engineering design and construction management.

Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. will serve as the prime environmental engineering contractor. This firm is responsible for environmental and archaeological assessments of the HRX pipeline route, coordination with local, state and federal agencies for required permitting and associated public meetings for the project.

Based on the work by both firms, a preferred route for the natural gas pipeline, including the Hampton Roads harbor crossing, is expected to be announced by the end of this year and submitted for review by state and federal permitting agencies. The preferred route is developed based on factors such as constructability and minimization of environmental impacts.

"Expertise and experience in the development of energy projects and specific knowledge of the local area were major factors in the selection of these two fine firms," said Hank Linginfelter, president of Virginia Natural Gas.

"Since these companies know Hampton Roads like the back of their hand, we are confident they will develop a project that minimizes environmental and social impacts while helping Virginia Natural Gas construct the energy infrastructure our region needs to continue to grow."

Both firms will begin work immediately. The HRX pipeline is expected to be completed and in service by the winter of 2009.

About the Hampton Roads Crossing (HRX) Project

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is constructing a pipeline under the Hampton Roads harbor from Newport News to Norfolk to connect its Northern and Southern gas distribution systems. The Hampton Roads Crossing pipeline will ensure a reliable and competitively priced supply to meet the rapid growth in the region and the resulting demand for natural gas. The State Corporation Commission of Virginia directed VNG to build the pipeline in August 2006.

VNG currently estimates that the HRX project will cost between $48 to $60 million. As part of the plan approved by the State Corporation Commission, Virginia Natural Gas will freeze customers' non-gas rates for five years. Virginia Natural Gas has not increased its rates for costs associated with its delivery charges since 1996. Additional information about the HRX project can be found at www.virginianaturalgas.com/hrx

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources , an Atlanta-based energy services holding company, serves 2.2 million customers in six states through its utility subsidiaries - Atlanta Gas Light, Elizabethtown Gas in New Jersey, Virginia Natural Gas, Florida City Gas, Chattanooga Gas, and Elkton Gas in Maryland.

Ranked by Forbes as one of the 10 Best Managed Utilities and No. 250 in the Forbes Platinum 400 as well as No. 647 on the Fortune 1000 and No. 40 in the Fortune gas and electric utilities sector in 2006, AGL Resources reported revenue of $2.7 billion and net income of $193 million in 2005. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout the East and Midwest. As a 70 percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. AGL Networks, the company's telecommunications subsidiary, owns and operates fiber optic networks in Atlanta and Phoenix. The company also owns and operates Pivotal Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com.

About Virginia Natural Gas

Virginia Natural Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources , provides retail natural gas sales and distribution services to 265,000 customers in southeast Virginia. For more information, visit www.virginianaturalgas.com.

About Michael Baker Corporation

Michael Baker Corporation (http://www.mbakercorp.com/) provides engineering and operations and maintenance services for its clients' most complex challenges worldwide. The firm's primary practice areas are aviation, environmental, facilities, geospatial information technologies, pipelines & telecommunications, transportation, water/wastewater, and oil & gas. With more than 5,000 employees in over 40 offices across the United States and internationally, Baker is focused on providing services that span the complete life cycle of infrastructure and managed asset projects.

About Malcolm Pirnie

Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., a century-old environmental consulting firm, provides governmental and industrial clients with comprehensive services in water and wastewater engineering, solid and hazardous waste management, environmental sciences and, through its Red Oak Consulting Division, management and IT consulting. With a diversified staff of over 1,600 engineers, scientists and consultants in 50+ offices nationwide, Pirnie has won over 200 professional awards for project excellence. For more information, visit www.pirnie.com.

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SOURCE: Virginia Natural Gas