The U.S. draws from a variety of energy sources to support its population of roughly 330 million people. Prominent in that energy mix is natural gas, thanks to its local abundance, affordability, reliability and lower emissions compared with other hydrocarbons.

The 295-mile (475-km) Portland Natural Gas Transmission System spans New England from the Canadian border to pipeline connections in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.

A proposed natural gas project would double the size of a pipeline that runs through Hampton Roads to accommodate the region’s growing demand. The Columbia Gas Transmission system runs from New York to the Midwest and Southeast. Virginia’s the southernmost of the 10 states it touches. But Virginia Natural Gas says the pipeline infrastructure is outdated and can’t keep up...