Exhibit 10(w)(w)

                         FIRM STORAGE SERVICE AGREEMENT


        THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 19th day of March,
1997, by and between VIRGINIA GAS STORAGE COMPANY, a Virginia corporation,
hereinafter referred to as "VGSC," and Roanoke Gas Company, a Virginia
corporation, hereinafter referred to as "RGC".

                                   WITNESSETH

        WHEREAS, VGSC has undertaken to provide a firm storage service under the
Utility Facilities Act of Virginia, in accordance with its Gas Tariff filed with
the State Corporation Commission of Virginia ("SCC"), and under part 284 of the
Regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"); and

        WHEREAS, RGC has requested storage service on a firm basis pursuant to
Rate Schedule FSS in compliance with Section 3 of VGSC's SCC Gas Tariff; and

        WHEREAS, RGC agrees to arrange for transportation of quantities of gas
in order to deliver and receive gas to and from storage.

        NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                               QUANTITY OF SERVICE

        1.1 Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the SCC
Gas Tariff applicable thereto, RGC has the right to maintain an aggregate
storage quantity of up to 180,000 dth (the "Maximum Storage Quantity," or
"MSQ"). VGSC's obligation to accept gas at the Delivery Points specified on
Exhibit A hereto for injection into storage on any day is limited to the Maximum
Daily Injection Quantity ("MDIQ") specified on Exhibit A hereto. VGSC, at its
sole discretion, may allow injections at rates above the MDIQ on a best efforts,
interruptible basis if such injections can be made without adverse effect upon
injections of other Customers or to VGSC's operations.

        1.2 VGSC shall redeliver a thermally equivalent quantity of gas to RGC
at the Delivery Points described on Exhibit A hereto. VGSC's obligation to
withdraw gas from storage on any day is limited to the available Maximum Daily
Withdrawal Quantity ("MDWQ") specified on Exhibit A hereto. VGSC, at its sole
discretion, may allow withdrawals at rates higher than the MDWQ on a best
efforts, interruptible basis if such withdrawals can be made without adverse
effect upon withdrawals of other Customers or to VGSC's operations and such gas
is available from RGC's

                                        1

<PAGE>



Storage Gas Balance. RGC may withdraw during the Withdrawal Period any
quantity up to the MDWQ.

                                   ARTICLE II

                              CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

        2.1 RGC shall pay VGSC $0.05 per each dth injected and $0.05 per each
dth withdrawn. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, RGC will pay VGSC an
annual storage charge ("Annual Storage Charge") which shall be the product of
$1.50 multiplied by the Maximum Storage Quantity, which fee shall be payable in
twelve (12) equal monthly installments.

        2.2 VGSC shall reimburse RGC for any injected gas that cannot be
withdrawn for delivery to RGC at Inside FERC index for deliveries into Tennessee
Gas, Zone 1, plus interruptible transportation on Tennessee Gas and East
Tennessee. Any gas not withdrawn at RGC's option shall be carried over to the
following year's storage balance.

        2.3 On May 1, 1997 and each May 1 thereafter, VGSC shall pro-rate the
Annual Storage Charge for the year retroactively and prospectively to reflect
any deficiencies in performance in the prior Withdrawal Period as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Adjusted Annual       Actual MSQ            Actual MDWQ
Storage Charge    =   Contract MSQ    X     Contract MDWQ    X   $1.50   X   180,000
</TABLE>

RGC's election to use the storage service at levels below the MSQ and MDWQ shall
not be considered deficiencies in performance.

        2.4 RGC shall insure that the gas delivered to VGSC at the Delivery
Points for injection meets the minimum quality specifications of East Tennessee
Natural Gas Company's FERC Tariff. VGSC shall insure that gas delivered to RGC
at the Delivery Points meets the minimum quality specifications of East
Tennessee Natural Gas Company's FERC Tariff.

        2.5 The measurement of quantities for billing purposes, in MMBtu,
delivered to or received from VGSC shall be performed by East Tennessee Natural
Gas Company.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                     NOTICES

        3.1 Notices hereunder shall be given to the respective party at the
applicable address, telephone number or facsimile machine number stated below,
or such other addresses, telephone numbers or facsimile numbers as the parties
shall respectively hereafter designate in writing from time to time:

                                        2

<PAGE>



               Virginia Gas Pipeline Company
               P.O. Box 2407
               200 East Main Street
               Abingdon, Virginia  24210
               Attention:  Michael L. Edwards
               Telephone Number:  (540) 676-2380, extension 17
               Facsimile Machine Number:  (540) 676-2494

               Roanoke Gas Company
               519 Kimball Avenue, N.E.
               Roanoke, VA  24030
               Attention:  Mike Gagnet
               Telephone Number:  (540) 983-3800
               Facsimile Machine Number:  (540) 983-3957

                                   ARTICLE IV

                               BILLING AND PAYMENT

        4.1 On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of each calendar month, VGSC
shall submit to RGC an invoice for services performed during the preceding
month.

        4.2 RGC shall pay the amounts invoiced by the twenty-fifth (25th) day of
each month in which said invoice is received by RGC or within ten (10) days of
RGC's receipt of VGSC's invoice.

        4.3 Should RGC fail to pay all of the amount of any invoice as herein
provided when such amount is due, RGC shall pay a charge for late payment which
shall be included by VGSC on the next regular monthly invoice rendered
hereunder. Such charge for late payment shall accrue interest at an annual rate
equivalent to the then current Chase Manhattan Bank prime interest rate plus two
percent (2%), but not to exceed the maximum rate permitted by law. If such
failure to pay continues for thirty (30) days after payment is due, VGSC, in
addition to any other remedy it may have, may suspend futher injections and/or
withdrawals of gas for RGC's account until such amount is paid; provided,
however, that if RGC, in good faith, disputes the amount of any such invoice or
part thereof and pays to VGSC such amounts as RGC concedes to be correct, and,
at any time thereafter within thirty (30) days of a demand made by VGSC,
furnishes a good and sufficient surety bond in an amount and with sureties
satisfactory to VGSC conditioned upon the payment of any amounts ultimately
found due upon such invoices after a final determination, which may be reached
either by agreement or judgment of the courts, as the case may be, then VGSC
shall not be entitled to suspend further injections and/or withdrawals of gas
unless and until default be made in the conditions on such bond or there is a
subsequent default under the conditions of this agreement.



                                        3

<PAGE>



        4.4 In the event any overcharge or undercharge in any form whatsoever
shall be found within twenty four (24) months from the date a billing
discrepancy occurs, the appropriate party shall refund the amount of overcharge
or pay the amount of undercharge within thirty (30) days after the final
determination of the amount overcharged or undercharged has been made. Any
overcharge or undercharge found after such twenty four (24) months shall be
deemed waived by both parties.

        4.5 Both parties hereto shall have the right, at any and all reasonable
times, to examine the books and records of the other party to the extent
necessary to verify the accuracy of any statement, charge, computation or demand
made under or pursuant to this Agreement.

        4.6 It is expressly understood that VGSC retains a landlord's lien
against the personal property of RGC's stored hereunder for the recovery of any
and all amounts which may become due and payable under this agreement.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                      TERM

        5.1 Subject to the provisions hereof, this Agreement shall become
effective as of the date first written above and shall be in full force and
effect for a primary term through April 30, 2007 (the "Termination Date") and
shall continue and remain in force and effect for successive terms of one (1)
year each hereafter unless and until canceled by either party giving 180 days
written notice to the other party prior to the end of the primary term and any
yearly extension thereof.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    INDEMNITY

        6.1 RGC shall be deemed to have the exclusive control and possession of
the Gas until delivered to VGSC at the Delivery Points and after the Gas is
redelivered to RGC at the Delivery Points pursuant to Sections 1.1 and 1.2
hereof. VGSC shall be deemed to have the exclusive control and possession of the
Gas after it has been delivered to VGSC at the Delivery Points, until such time
as the Gas is redelivered to RGC at the Delivery Points pursuant to Sections 1.1
and 1.2 hereof.

        6.2 The party in control of the Gas will defend, indemnify and hold the
other harmless from and against any and all claims, causes of action or
judgments (including attorney's fees and expenses) in any way arising with
respect to the Gas while in that party's control, and the other shall not be
liable for any part thereof.


                                        4

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE VII

                                  FORCE MAJEURE

        7.1 Subject to the provisions of this Article VII, no party shall be
liable to the other party for the failure to perform in conformity with this
Agreement to the extent such failure results from an event of Force Majeure
which is beyond the reasonable control of the party affected thereby, which
wholly or partially prevents the supply, transportation, sale, delivery,
injection, storage, withdrawal or redelivery of Gas.

        7.2 Events of Force Majeure shall include, by way of illustration, but
not limitation those enumerated in Section 16.2, Original Sheets No. 58 and No.
59 of the Terms and Conditions of VGSC's SCC Gas Tariff.

        7.3 Immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of an event of
Force Majeure, the party affected shall give notice thereof to the other party,
describing such event and stating the specific obligations, the performance of
which are, or are expected to be, delayed or prevented, and (either in the
original or in supplemental notices) stating the estimated period during which
performance may be suspended or reduced, including, to the extent known or
ascertainable, the estimated extent of such reduction of performance. Such
notice of an event of Force Majeure is to be first given by telephone
communication, and then shall be confirmed in writing within five (5) days,
giving particulars available to the reporting party, and being supplemented if
necessary within twenty (20) days to give full particulars. Not withstanding any
other provision in this Agreement, the parties mutually agree that should some
cause or event, beyond the control of VGSC, make it appear to VGSC that a
storage area is losing pressure and may no longer be viable for storage, it may
immediately notify RGC (by fax, phone or other means) and RGC shall immediately
start accepting the stored gas in order to drain the storage area and cut down
on the potential loss to VGSC, or VGSC may otherwise dispose of such gas and pay
RGC for the value thereof plus the value of any gas otherwise lost. Thereafter
this Agreement shall be considered of no further force and effect unless VGSC
can reasonably revitalize and stabilize such storage area to hold gas pressure
in which event VGSC shall give the thirty (30) day notice as provided in Section
3.1 and the Agreement shall thereafter continue in full force and effect.

        7.4 The party relying upon an event of Force Majeure shall act prudently
and use all reasonable efforts to eliminate the effects of Force Majeure as soon
as reasonably practicable, provided that the settlement of strikes and lockouts
shall be entirely within the discretion of the party affected.

        7.5 No suspension or reduction of performance by reason of an event of
Force Majeure shall invalidate this Agreement, and upon removal of the Force
Majeure, performance shall resume in this Agreement as soon as practicable.


                                        5

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE VIII

                             OPERATIONAL FLOW ORDERS

        8.1 RGC may be subject to certain operational flow orders ("OFO's")
issued by VGSC: (a) to alleviate conditions that threaten the integrity of
VGSC's system; (b) to maintain pressures necessary for VGSC's operations; (c) to
alleviate operational problems arising from overdeliveries or underdeliveries by
RGC in violation of this Agreement; and (d) to prevent damage to a storage
field.

        8.2 Upon the issuance of an OFO, RGC must take the actions set forth in
the OFO, which may include, but are not limited to, reducing its withdrawals
from storage.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                             SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

        9.1 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
successors, assigns and legal representatives of the parties hereto. Either
party may freely assign this Agreement to a company with which it is affiliated
or which it controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, or any
party succeeding to substantially all the interests of RGC or VGSC. All other
assignments shall be subject to the prior written consent of the party not
assigning, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. Either party hereto
shall have the right to pledge or mortgage its respective rights hereunder for
security of its indebtedness without the prior written consent of the other
party.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        10.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties
and no waiver by VGSC or RGC of any default of either party under this Agreement
shall operate as a waiver of any subsequent default whether of a like or
different character.

        10.2 The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern the validity,
construction, interpretation, and effect of this Agreement.

        10.3 No modification of or supplement to the terms and provisions hereof
shall be or become effective except by execution of a supplementary written
agreement between the parties.

        10.4 Exhibit A attached to this Agreement constitutes a part of this
Agreement and is incorporated herein.


                                        6

<PAGE>



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first
written above by the parties' duly authorized officers.

Attest:               ROANOKE GAS COMPANY

                      By: s/John B. Williamson, III  
s/Michael A. Yount
                      Its: Vice President                    

Attest:               VIRGINIA GAS STORAGE COMPANY

                      By:s/M.C. Edwards                  
s/Stacey D. Varney
                      Its: President                             


                                        7

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT A

to that certain Gas Storage Agreement dated March 19, 1997 by and between

                               ROANOKE GAS COMPANY
                                       and
                          VIRGINIA GAS STORAGE COMPANY

Delivery Points:

        1.     Saltville receipt/delivery point, Smyth County, Virginia. For
               injections: ETNG Meter Number 759766; for withdrawals: ETNG Meter
               Number 759777.
        2.     Early Grove receipt/delivery point, Washington County, VA. For
               injections: ETNG Meter Number 759147; for withdrawals: ETNG Meter
               Number 759009.
        3.     Dickenson #2 receipt point, Dickenson County, Virginia for
               withdrawals only, ETNG Meter Number 759321.

Maximum Daily Injection Quantity, in dth:

1,200 Dth

Injection Period runs from on or about April 5 of each year to on or about
October 26 of each year (the "Summer Period"). Injections may be made from
October 27 to April 4 of each year (the "Winter Period") on a best efforts,
interruptible basis with the consent of VGSC.

Maximum Daily Withdrawal Quantity, in dth:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
   857  Dth from Early Grove delivery point               ETNG Meter Number 759009

1,143   Dth from Early Grove, Saltville or Dickenson #2 delivery point
                                                          ETNG Meter Number 759009
                                                          ETNG Meter Number 759777
                                                          ETNG Meter Number 759321
</TABLE>

Withdrawal Period runs from November 15 through April 15 of each year.
Withdrawals may be made from November 1 to November 15, and from April16 through
April 30 of each year on a best efforts, interruptible basis.


                                                              s/M.C. Edwards
                                                              3/19/97

                                        8