<!-- CoverPageHeader start -->
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE> Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (Form: 8-K) </TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY TEXT="#000000" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" ALINK="#0000FF" HLINK="#FF0000" VLINK="#800080">
<A NAME="DOCUMENT_TOP">&nbsp;</A>
<P>
<!-- CoverPageHeader end --><!-- CoverPageTitle START -->
<A NAME="DOCUMENT_TOP">&nbsp;</A>
<HR NOSHADE>
<P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="4">
		UNITED STATES<BR>
	SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
</FONT>
<BR>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="5">
	FORM 8-K
</FONT>
<FONT SIZE="2">

</FONT>
</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="3">
	CURRENT REPORT
</FONT>
</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
</FONT>
</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="51%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	February 12, 2016
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
</CENTER>
<!-- CoverPageTitle END --><!-- CoverPageRegistrant START -->
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><!-- -->
<FONT SIZE="6">
	Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
</FONT>
<FONT SIZE="2">
<BR>__________________________________________<BR>
	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="33%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	North Carolina
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	1-6196
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	56-0556998
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
_____________________<BR>
	(State or other jurisdiction
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
_____________<BR>
	(Commission
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
______________<BR>
	(I.R.S. Employer
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	of incorporation)
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	File Number)
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Identification No.)
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	4720 Piedmont Row Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	28210
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
_________________________________<BR>
	(Address of principal executive offices)
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
___________<BR>
	(Zip Code)
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<CENTER>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">

<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="51%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	704-364-3120
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Not Applicable
<BR>______________________________________________<BR>
	Former name or former address, if changed since last report
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
<!-- CoverPageRegistrant END --><P><FONT SIZE="2">
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
of the following provisions:</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE="2">
[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<br>
[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<br>
[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<br>
[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))<br>
</P></FONT><!-- PageBreak START -->
<P>
<HR NOSHADE>
<DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
<A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
<U>
<B>
<FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
</B>
</U>
</A>
</DIV>
<!-- PageBreak END --><!-- Item START -->
<P ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<B>
	Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
</B>
</FONT>
</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="2">
As Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (Piedmont) has previously disclosed, Georgia Natural Gas Company (GNGC) exercised its option under the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SouthStar Energy Services LLC (SouthStar) between Piedmont Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Piedmont (PEC) and GNGC dated as of September 1, 2013 (LLC Agreement) to purchase PEC&#x2019;s entire 15% interest in SouthStar for Market Value, subject to the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Agreement and Plan of Merger among Piedmont, Duke Energy Corporation and Forest Subsidiary, Inc. dated as of October 24, 2015 (Merger Agreement). <br><br>On February 12, 2016, PEC and GNGC executed a letter agreement pursuant to which they agreed to be bound by the terms set forth in the accompanying term sheet concerning GNGC's proposed purchase of PEC's interest in SouthStar (the Purchase).  Pursuant to the letter agreement, GNGC agrees to pay $160 million cash for PEC&#x2019;s 15% interest in SouthStar, subject to the consummation of the merger under the Merger Agreement.  Among other things, the letter agreement provides for non-solicitation of certain SouthStar employees by PEC, its parent company and their affiliates for a specified time following the Purchase, PEC&#x2019;s release of its option under the LLC Agreement to purchase the C&I Customer retail business, and a non-compete by PEC, its parent company and their affiliates in the Retail Territory (as defined in the letter agreement) for a specified time following the Purchase.  The letter agreement provides that the parties shall execute a definitive agreement memorializing the Purchase, which shall be subject to, among other things, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and obtaining regulatory approvals or consents necessary to consummate the Purchase, including without limitation approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission.<br><br>Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning(s) ascribed to them in the LLC Agreement. The foregoing summary of the letter agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the letter agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.  <br>
</FONT>
</P>
<!-- Item END -->
<BR><BR><BR><BR><!-- Item START -->
<P ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<B>
	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
</B>
</FONT>
</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="2">
(d) Exhibits<br><br>10.1 Letter Agreement between Georgia Natural Gas Company and Piedmont <br>Energy Company dated February 12, 2016
</FONT>
</P>
<!-- Item END -->
<BR><BR><BR><BR><P ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="FONT-SIZE: 10PT"></P><!-- PageBreak START -->
<P>
<HR NOSHADE>
<DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
<A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
<U>
<B>
<FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
</B>
</U>
</A>
</DIV>
<!-- PageBreak END --><!-- SignatureHeader START -->
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<B>
	SIGNATURES
</B>
</FONT>
</P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
	registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
	undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
</FONT>
</P>
<!-- SignatureHeader END --><!-- Signature START -->
<CENTER>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="19%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD COLSPAN="3" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<I>
	February 18, 2016
</I>
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<I>
	By:
</I>
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<I>
	Karl W. Newlin
</I>
<BR>
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<I>
	Name: Karl W. Newlin
</I>
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE="2">
<I>
	Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
</I>
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- Signature END --><!-- PageBreak START -->
<P>
<HR NOSHADE>
<DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
<A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
<U>
<B>
<FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
</B>
</U>
</A>
</DIV>
<!-- PageBreak END --><P ALIGN="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	Exhibit&nbsp;Index
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="60%">
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="8%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="77%">
	&nbsp;
</TD>
</TR>

<BR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD NOWRAP ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="1">
<B>
	Exhibit No.
</B>
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="1">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD NOWRAP ALIGN="LEFT">
<FONT SIZE="1">
<B>
	Description
</B>
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD NOWRAP ALIGN="CENTER">
<HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE>
</TD>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE="1">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD NOWRAP ALIGN="CENTER">
<HR ALIGN="LEFT" SIZE="1" WIDTH="88%" NOSHADE>
</TD>
</TR>





<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="8%" nowrap>
<FONT SIZE="2">
<DIV ALIGN="LEFT">
	10.1
</DIV>
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%">
<FONT SIZE="2">
	&nbsp;
</FONT>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="77%">
<FONT SIZE="2">
Letter Agreement between Georgia Natural Gas Company and Piedmont Energy Company dated February 12, 2016
</FONT>
</TD>
</TR></TABLE></CENTER><!-- HTMLFooter START -->
</BODY>
</HTML>
<!-- HTMLFooter END -->
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "htm_53140.htm", "description": "LIVE FILING", "secsgml_size_bytes": 12250}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS CO INC", "cik": "0000078460", "assigned-sic": "4924", "irs-number": "560556998", "state-of-incorporation": "NC", "fiscal-year-end": "1031"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-06196", "film-number": "161436185"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4720 PIEDMONT ROW DR", "city": "CHARLOTTE", "state": "NC", "zip": "28210", "phone": "7043643120"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "P.O. BOX 33068", "city": "CHARLOTTE", "state": "NC", "zip": "28233"}}
Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (Form: 8-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
February 12, 2016
Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina
1-6196
56-0556998
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction
_____________
(Commission
______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)
File Number)
Identification No.)
4720 Piedmont Row Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
28210
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
___________
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
704-364-3120
Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
of the following provisions:
[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Top of the Form
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
As Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (Piedmont) has previously disclosed, Georgia Natural Gas Company (GNGC) exercised its option under the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SouthStar Energy Services LLC (SouthStar) between Piedmont Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Piedmont (PEC) and GNGC dated as of September 1, 2013 (LLC Agreement) to purchase PEC's entire 15% interest in SouthStar for Market Value, subject to the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Agreement and Plan of Merger among Piedmont, Duke Energy Corporation and Forest Subsidiary, Inc. dated as of October 24, 2015 (Merger Agreement).
On February 12, 2016, PEC and GNGC executed a letter agreement pursuant to which they agreed to be bound by the terms set forth in the accompanying term sheet concerning GNGC's proposed purchase of PEC's interest in SouthStar (the Purchase).  Pursuant to the letter agreement, GNGC agrees to pay $160 million cash for PEC's 15% interest in SouthStar, subject to the consummation of the merger under the Merger Agreement.  Among other things, the letter agreement provides for non-solicitation of certain SouthStar employees by PEC, its parent company and their affiliates for a specified time following the Purchase, PEC's release of its option under the LLC Agreement to purchase the C&I Customer retail business, and a non-compete by PEC, its parent company and their affiliates in the Retail Territory (as defined in the letter agreement) for a specified time following the Purchase.  The letter agreement provides that the parties shall execute a definitive agreement memorializing the Purchase, which shall be subject to, among other things, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and obtaining regulatory approvals or consents necessary to consummate the Purchase, including without limitation approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning(s) ascribed to them in the LLC Agreement. The foregoing summary of the letter agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the letter agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
10.1 Letter Agreement between Georgia Natural Gas Company and Piedmont
Energy Company dated February 12, 2016
Top of the Form
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
	registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
	undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
February 18, 2016
By:
Karl W. Newlin
Name: Karl W. Newlin
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Top of the Form
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Letter Agreement between Georgia Natural Gas Company and Piedmont Energy Company dated February 12, 2016