Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.

What Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. does

Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. is a regulated natural gas distribution utility and wholly-owned subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 1905 and serving approximately 138,000-139,000 customers across 30 Kentucky counties, the company operates roughly 2,600 miles of pipeline infrastructure delivering natural gas for residential heating, water heating, cooking, and commercial and industrial applications. Its service territory is regulated by the Kentucky Public Service Commission, which approves delivery rates, rider mechanisms, and capital recovery, including a pending rate case (Case 2026-00099) seeking an estimated $12.31/month increase for typical residential customers and $48.36/month for typical commercial customers.

The company's revenue model is built on two regulated streams: (1) natural gas delivery charges comprising a fixed customer charge, volumetric delivery rates, and the Safety Modification and Replacement Program (SMRP) rider; and (2) cost-recovery natural gas supply pass-through with no margin. Additional revenue flows from the Customer Choice Program, which allows commercial customers to contract with third-party gas suppliers while Columbia Gas retains the delivery function. The company employs approximately 200 people and operates with a multi-channel go-to-market: direct sales for commercial and industrial projects, channel partnerships through the Trade Ally Program with builders, developers, contractors, and plumbers, and self-service through a mobile app, online portal, and the NINA conversational AI virtual assistant launched in February 2025.

The technology stack centers on the regulated pipeline and meter network with supporting investments in pipeline integrity management, advanced leak detection, and digital customer service platforms including the iOS/Android mobile app with biometric authentication. The product portfolio follows a platform-plus-modules architecture, with the core delivery service augmented by protection plans (homeowner/renter), billing programs (AutoPay, Paperless, Budget Plan), payment assistance (LIHEAP, WinterCare), infrastructure services (pipeline replacement, meter replacement, vegetation management), and community/environmental initiatives including the Pollinator Habitat Program, Renewable Natural Gas Program, and Environmental Action Grants. Kimra Cole has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since 2019 as the first female president in company history.

Name

Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.

Legal name

Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.

Website

https://columbiagasky.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. is a regulated natural gas distribution utility serving approximately 138,000-139,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers across 30 Kentucky counties via 2,600 miles of pipeline. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NiSource Inc. and is overseen by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Gas Distribution Utility

NAICS

Natural Gas Distribution (2212), Natural Gas Distribution (221210), Natural Gas Distribution (22121), Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas (48621)

SIC

Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Municipal / Public Gas Distribution Systems (TLAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulated Natural Gas Utility (LDC) Customer Acquisition & Switching (EUAAADAA), Gas Mains (Distribution Pipelines) (EUAJABAA), Natural Gas Compressor Stations & Metering/Regulation Stations (TLAGAKAD)

Keywords

• Natural gas distribution
• Regulated utility services
• Pipeline infrastructure
• Residential gas delivery
• Energy assistance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Natural Gas Delivery Service: Regulated utility providing natural gas distribution to approximately 138,000 customers across 30 Kentucky counties. Revenue comes from delivery charges including fixed customer charge, volumetric delivery rates, and Safety Modification and Replacement Program (SMRP) rider. Rates subject to Kentucky Public Service Commission approval.
2. Natural Gas Supply: Cost recovery mechanism for natural gas supply. Columbia Gas purchases natural gas and passes the cost through to customers with no profit margin. Quarterly adjustments based on market prices, storage costs, and pipeline charges.
3. Customer Choice Program: Alternative gas supply option allowing customers to select third-party suppliers while Columbia Gas continues delivery service

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Columbia Gas of Kentucky is a regulated natural gas distribution utility that delivers clean, affordable, and efficient natural gas to approximately 138,000-139,000 residential and commercial customers across 30 Kentucky counties through approximately 2,600 miles of pipeline infrastructure. The company provides core delivery service along with billing programs, payment assistance, home protection plans, and safety/emergency response services under oversight of the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

Product overview

Columbia Gas of Kentucky operates as a regulated natural gas distribution utility providing a comprehensive suite of products and services through a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering is natural gas delivery service to approximately 138,000-139,000 customers across 30 Kentucky counties. This core service is augmented by multiple digital platforms including the online My Account portal and mobile app (iOS/Android with Face ID/Touch ID support) that provide 24/7 access to account management, bill payment, service requests, and usage tracking. Customer service is further enhanced by AI-powered channels including the NINA virtual phone assistant (natural language IVR with Spanish language support) and chatbot for text-based interactions. The portfolio includes protection plans (homeowner and renter), billing programs (AutoPay, Paperless Billing, Budget Plan, Customer Choice), payment assistance programs (LIHEAP, WinterCare, Eligibility Calculator), infrastructure services (Pipeline Replacement, Meter Replacement, Vegetation Management), and environmental initiatives (RNG Program, Pollinator Habitat Program, Environmental Action Grants). Business services encompass service line installation, Trade Ally contractor network, 811 damage prevention, Cross Bore safety program, and CoRE-EX pipeline safety training for first responders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% methane emissions reduction over 10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kentucky State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Partnership to install pollinator habitat within utility rights-of-way on campus, demonstrating how infrastructure corridors can support conservation while maintaining operational safety. University has received Bee Campus USA designation recognizing commitment to protecting native pollinators.
• City of FrankfortminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2025Coordination to expand pollinator habitat program model developed at Kentucky State University.
• University of Kentucky Markey Cancer CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025$25,000 grant to support construction of the center which will be fueled in part by natural gas.
• Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to recycle expired and unused plastic pipelines. Pipelines are repurposed into structures that give smaller fish a safe place to grow and reproduce away from larger predators.
• Toyota GeorgetownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to establish monarch butterfly weigh station as part of pollinator habitat initiative.
• Paradigm Liaison ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndustry leader in pipeline safety programs. CoRE-EX Pipeline Safety Program offers free in-person training for first responders, contractors, excavators, and public officials. Training traditionally held in February and March.
• University of Kentucky Research FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for additional acreage at Iron Works Pike location for pollinator habitat expansion.
• NiSource Charitable FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation provides grant funding for environmental restoration and education projects. Supports Columbia Gas Environmental Action Grants program with total of $25,000 in annual grants.
• StantecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongtime environmental contractor for NiSource that helped secure $10,000 grant from University of Chicago Rights of Way Habitat Working Group for Wellington Park pollinator site.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ColumbiaGasKY
• Facebookfacebook.com/columbiagasofkentucky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/4023922
• Instagraminstagram.com/columbiagasky

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.