                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$15,000,000.00

                                                              November 28, 2005


Roanoke Gas Company
519 Kimball Avenue
P.O. Box 13007
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
(Individually and collectively "Borrower")

Wachovia Bank, National Association
201 S. Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
(Hereinafter referred to as "Bank")

Borrower promises to pay to the order of Bank, in lawful money of the United
States of America, at its office indicated above or wherever else Bank may
specify, the sum of Fifteen Million and No/100 Dollars ($15,000,000.00) or such
sum as may be advanced and outstanding from time to time, with interest on the
unpaid principal balance at the rate and on the terms provided in this
Promissory Note (including all renewals, extensions or modifications hereof,
this "Note").

LOAN AGREEMENT. This Note is subject to the provisions of that certain Loan
Agreement between Bank and Borrower of even date herewith, as modified from time
to time.

USE OF PROCEEDS. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the loan(s) evidenced by
this Note for the commercial purposes of Borrower, as follows: intermediate term
financing to refinance existing term debt and fund capital spending.

INTEREST RATE. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this
Note during each Interest Period from the date hereof at a rate per annum equal
to 1-month LIBOR plus 0.69% ("Interest Rate"). Interest for each Interest Period
shall accrue each day during such Interest Period, commencing on and including
the first day to but excluding the last day. "Interest Period" means each period
commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and
ending on the same day of the month that interest is due 1 month thereafter;
provided (i) the first Interest Period shall commence on the date hereof and end
on the first day thereafter that interest is due, (ii) any Interest Period that
ends in a month for which there is no day which numerically corresponds to the
last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period shall end on the last day
of the month and (iii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend past the
maturity date of this Note shall end on the maturity date of this Note. "LIBOR"
means, with respect to each Interest Period, the rate for U.S. dollar deposits
with a maturity equal to the number of months specified above, as reported on
Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on the second London business
day before such Interest Period begins (or if not so reported, then as
determined by the Bank from another recognized source or interbank quotation).

INDEMNIFICATION. Borrower shall indemnify Bank against Bank's loss or expense as
a consequence of (a) Borrower's failure to make any payment when due under this
Note, (b) any payment, prepayment or conversion of any loan on a day other than
the last day of the Interest Period, or (c) any failure to make a borrowing or
conversion after giving notice thereof ("Indemnified Loss or Expense"). The
amount of such Indemnified Loss or Expense shall be determined by Bank based
upon the assumption that Bank funded 100% of that portion of the loan in the
London interbank market.


<PAGE>




DEFAULT RATE. In addition to all other rights contained in this Note, if a
Default (as defined herein) occurs and as long as a Default continues, all
outstanding Obligations, other than Obligations under any swap agreements (as
defined in 11 U.S.C. Section 101, as in effect from time to time) between
Borrower and Bank or its affiliates, shall bear interest at the Interest Rate
plus 3% ("Default Rate"). The Default Rate shall also apply from acceleration
until the Obligations or any judgment thereon is paid in full.

INTEREST AND FEE(S) COMPUTATION (ACTUAL/360). Interest and fees, if any, shall
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days in the
applicable period ("Actual/360 Computation"). The Actual/360 Computation
determines the annual effective yield by taking the stated (nominal) rate for a
year's period and then dividing said rate by 360 to determine the daily periodic
rate to be applied for each day in the applicable period. Application of the
Actual/360 Computation produces an annualized effective interest rate exceeding
the nominal rate.

REPAYMENT TERMS. This Note shall be due and payable in consecutive monthly
payments of accrued interest only, commencing on December 31, 2005, and
continuing on the last day of each month thereafter until fully paid. In any
event, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable on December
1, 2010. Beginning on the first anniversary of the loan and at any time prior to
December 1, 2010 (the maturity date) Borrower may request an extension of the
maturity date. Any extension of the maturity date is subject to credit approval
by the Bank and execution of such legal documentation as required by Bank. The
Bank shall not be obligated to agree to any requested extension, and the Bank's
decision regarding whether or not to permit an extension shall be in the Bank's
sole discretion.

APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Monies received by Bank from any source for application
toward payment of the Obligations shall be applied to accrued interest and then
to principal. If a Default occurs, monies may be applied to the Obligations in
any manner or order deemed appropriate by Bank. If any payment received by Bank
under this Note or other Loan Documents is rescinded, avoided or for any reason
returned by Bank because of any adverse claim or threatened action, the returned
payment shall remain payable as an obligation of all persons liable under this
Note or other Loan Documents as though such payment had not been made.

DEFINITIONS. Loan Documents. The term "Loan Documents", as used in this Note and
the other Loan Documents, refers to all documents executed in connection with or
related to the loan evidenced by this Note and any prior notes which evidence
all or any portion of the loan evidenced by this Note, and any letters of credit
issued pursuant to any loan agreement to which this Note is subject, any
applications for such letters of credit and any other documents executed in
connection therewith or related thereto, and may include, without limitation, a
commitment letter that survives closing, a loan agreement, this Note, guaranty
agreements, security agreements, security instruments, financing statements,
mortgage instruments, any renewals or modifications, whenever any of the
foregoing are executed, but does not include swap agreements (as defined in 11
U.S.C. Section 101, as in effect from time to time). Obligations. The term
"Obligations", as used in this Note and the other Loan Documents, refers to any
and all indebtedness and other obligations under this Note, all other
obligations under any other Loan Document(s), and all obligations under any swap
agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section 101, as in effect from time to time)
between Borrower and Bank, or its affiliates, whenever executed. Certain Other
Terms. All terms that are used but not otherwise defined in any of the Loan
Documents shall have the definitions provided in the Virginia Uniform Commercial
Code.

LATE CHARGE. If any payments are not timely made, Borrower shall also pay to
Bank a late charge equal to 5% of each payment past due for 8 or more days. This
late charge shall not apply to payments due at maturity or by acceleration
hereof, unless such late payment is in an amount not greater than the highest
periodic payment due hereunder. Acceptance by Bank of any late payment without
an accompanying late charge shall not be deemed a waiver of Bank's right to
collect such late charge or to collect a late charge for any subsequent late
payment received.



<PAGE>



ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER COLLECTION COSTS. Borrower shall pay all of Bank's
reasonable expenses actually incurred to enforce or collect any of the
Obligations including, without limitation, reasonable arbitration, paralegals',
attorneys' and experts' fees and expenses, whether incurred without the
commencement of a suit, in any trial, arbitration, or administrative proceeding,
or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding.

USURY. If at any time the effective interest rate under this Note would, but for
this paragraph, exceed the maximum lawful rate, the effective interest rate
under this Note shall be the maximum lawful rate, and any amount received by
Bank in excess of such rate shall be applied to principal and then to fees and
expenses, or, if no such amounts are owing, returned to Borrower.

DEFAULT. If any of the following occurs, a default ("Default") under this Note
shall exist: Nonpayment; Nonperformance. The failure of timely payment or
performance of the Obligations or Default under this Note or any other Loan
Documents. False Warranty. A warranty or representation made or deemed made in
the Loan Documents or furnished Bank in connection with the loan evidenced by
this Note proves materially false, or if of a continuing nature, becomes
materially false. Cross Default. At Bank's option, any default in payment or
performance of any obligation under any other loans, contracts or agreements of
Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, any general partner of or the
holder(s) of the majority ownership interests of Borrower with Bank or its
affiliates ("Affiliate" shall have the meaning as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section
101, as in effect from time to time, except that the term "Borrower" shall be
substituted for the term "Debtor" therein; "Subsidiary" shall mean any business
in which Borrower holds, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest).
Cessation; Bankruptcy. The death of, appointment of a guardian for, dissolution
of, termination of existence of, loss of good standing status by, appointment of
a receiver for, assignment for the benefit of creditors of, or commencement of
any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding by or against Borrower, its Subsidiaries
or Affiliates, if any, or any general partner of or the holder(s) of the
majority ownership interests of Borrower, or any party to the Loan Documents.
Material Capital Structure or Business Alteration. Without prior written consent
of Bank, (i) a material alteration in the kind or type of Borrower's business or
that of Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates, if any; (ii) the sale of
substantially all of the business or assets of Borrower, any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor, or a material portion (the greater
of $500,000.00 or 10% or more) of such business or assets if such a sale is
outside the ordinary course of business of Borrower, or any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor, or more than 50% of the outstanding
stock or voting power of or in any such entity in a single transaction or a
series of transactions; (iii) the acquisition of substantially all of the
business or assets or more than 50% of the outstanding stock or voting power of
any other entity; or (iv) should any Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries
or Affiliates or any guarantor enter into any merger or consolidation. Material
Adverse Change. Bank determines in good faith, in its sole discretion, that the
prospects for payment or performance of the Obligations are impaired or there
has occurred a material adverse change in the business or prospects of Borrower,
financial or otherwise.

REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. If a Default occurs under this Note or any Loan
Documents, Bank may at any time thereafter, take the following actions: Bank
Lien. Foreclose its security interest or lien against Borrower's accounts
without notice. Acceleration Upon Default. Accelerate the maturity of this Note
and, at Bank's option, any or all other Obligations, other than Obligations
under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section 101, as in effect
from time to time) between Borrower and Bank, or its affiliates, which shall be
due in accordance with and governed by the provisions of said swap agreements;
whereupon this Note and the accelerated Obligations shall be immediately due and
payable; provided, however, if the Default is based upon a bankruptcy or
insolvency proceeding commenced by or against Borrower or any guarantor or
endorser of this Note, all Obligations (other than Obligations under any swap
agreement as referenced above) shall automatically and immediately be due and
payable. Cumulative. Exercise any rights and remedies as provided under the Note
and other Loan Documents, or as provided by law or equity.

FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Borrower shall deliver to Bank such information
as Bank may reasonably request from time to time, including without limitation,
financial statements and


<PAGE>



information pertaining to Borrower's financial condition.  Such information
shall be true, complete, and accurate.

WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. No waivers, amendments or modifications of this Note and
other Loan Documents shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an officer
of Bank. No waiver by Bank of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other
Default or the same Default on a future occasion. Neither the failure nor any
delay on the part of Bank in exercising any right, power, or remedy under this
Note and other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a
single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Except to the
extent otherwise provided by the Loan Documents or prohibited by law, each
Borrower and each other person liable under this Note waives presentment,
protest, notice of dishonor, demand for payment, notice of intention to
accelerate maturity, notice of acceleration of maturity, notice of sale and all
other notices of any kind. Further, each agrees that Bank may (i) extend, modify
or renew this Note or make a novation of the loan evidenced by this Note, and/or
(ii) grant releases, compromises or indulgences with respect to any collateral
securing this Note, or with respect to any Borrower or other person liable under
this Note or any other Loan Documents, all without notice to or consent of each
Borrower and other such person, and without affecting the liability of each
Borrower and other such person; provided, Bank may not extend, modify or renew
this Note or make a novation of the loan evidenced by this Note without the
consent of the Borrower, or if there is more than one Borrower, without the
consent of at least one Borrower; and further provided, if there is more than
one Borrower, Bank may not enter into a modification of this Note which
increases the burdens of a Borrower without the consent of that Borrower.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. Assignment. This Note and the other Loan Documents
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Bank's
interests in and rights under this Note and the other Loan Documents are freely
assignable, in whole or in part, by Bank. In addition, nothing in this Note or
any of the other Loan Documents shall prohibit Bank from pledging or assigning
this Note or any of the other Loan Documents or any interest therein to any
Federal Reserve Bank. Borrower shall not assign its rights and interest
hereunder without the prior written consent of Bank, and any attempt by Borrower
to assign without Bank's prior written consent is null and void. Any assignment
shall not release Borrower from the Obligations. Applicable Law; Conflict
Between Documents. This Note and, unless otherwise provided in any other Loan
Document, the other Loan Documents shall be governed by and construed under the
laws of the state named in Bank's address on the first page hereof without
regard to that state's conflict of laws principles. If the terms of this Note
should conflict with the terms of any loan agreement or any commitment letter
that survives closing, the terms of this Note shall control. Borrower's
Accounts. Except as prohibited by law, Borrower grants Bank a security interest
in all of Borrower's accounts with Bank and any of its affiliates. Swap
Agreements. All swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section 101, as in
effect from time to time), if any, between Borrower and Bank or its affiliates
are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of said swap
agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any
repayment, prepayment, acceleration, reduction, increase or change in the terms
of this Note, except as otherwise expressly provided in said written swap
agreements, and any payoff statement from Bank relating to this Note shall not
apply to said swap agreements except as otherwise expressly provided in such
payoff statement. Jurisdiction. Borrower irrevocably agrees to non-exclusive
personal jurisdiction in the state named in Bank's address on the first page
hereof. Severability. If any provision of this Note or of the other Loan
Documents shall be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity,
without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions
of this Note or other such document. Notices. Any notices to Borrower shall be
sufficiently given, if in writing and mailed or delivered to the Borrower's
address shown above or such other address as provided hereunder, and to Bank, if
in writing and mailed or delivered to Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail
Code VA7628, P. O. Box 13327, Roanoke, VA 24040 or Wachovia Bank, National
Association, Mail Code VA7628, 10 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 or
such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. Notices to
Bank must include the mail code. In the event that Borrower changes Borrower's
address at any time prior to the date the Obligations are paid in full, Borrower
agrees to promptly give written notice of said change of address by registered
or certified mail,


<PAGE>


return receipt requested, all charges prepaid. Plural; Captions. All references
in the Loan Documents to Borrower, guarantor, person, document or other nouns of
reference mean both the singular and plural form, as the case may be, and the
term "person" shall mean any individual, person or entity. The captions
contained in the Loan Documents are inserted for convenience only and shall not
affect the meaning or interpretation of the Loan Documents. Advances. Bank may,
in its sole discretion, make other advances which shall be deemed to be advances
under this Note, even though the stated principal amount of this Note may be
exceeded as a result thereof. Posting of Payments. All payments received during
normal banking hours after 2:00 p.m. local time at the office of Bank first
shown above shall be deemed received at the opening of the next banking day.
Joint and Several Obligations. If there is more than one Borrower, each is
jointly and severally obligated. Fees and Taxes. Borrower shall promptly pay all
documentary, intangible recordation and/or similar taxes on this transaction
whether assessed at closing or arising from time to time. LIMITATION ON
LIABILITY; WAIVER OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, INCLUDING
BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IN ANY JUDICIAL, MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION
PROCEEDING OR ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM THAT MAY ARISE OUT
OF OR BE IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY
OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM OR THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED
HEREBY OR RELATED HERETO, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY HAVE A REMEDY OF, OR BE
LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR, (1) INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR (2)
PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHT OR CLAIM TO PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES THEY MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY ARISE
IN THE FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY,
WHETHER THE SAME IS RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION, MEDIATION, JUDICIALLY OR OTHERWISE.
Patriot Act Notice. To help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering
activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify,
and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For
purposes of this section, account shall be understood to include loan accounts.
FINAL AGREEMENT. This Note and the other Loan Documents represent the final
agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior,
contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no
unwritten oral agreements between the parties.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF
BORROWER BY EXECUTION HEREOF AND BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY
IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS NOTE, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED TO BE EXECUTED
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING,
STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY WITH RESPECT
HERETO. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO BANK TO ACCEPT THIS NOTE.
EACH OF THE PARTIES AGREES THAT THE TERMS HEREOF SHALL SUPERSEDE AND REPLACE ANY
PRIOR AGREEMENT RELATED TO ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES BETWEEN THE PARTIES CONTAINED
IN ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT HERETOFORE EXECUTED IN
CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO OR BEING REPLACED, SUPPLEMENTED, EXTENDED OR
MODIFIED BY, THIS NOTE.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, on the day and year first above written, has
caused this Note to be executed under seal.

                               Roanoke Gas Company


                               By: s/John B. Williamson, III (SEAL)
                                     John B. Williamson, III, Chairman/CEO

                               By: s/Howard T. Lyon (SEAL)
                                     Howard T. Lyon, Controller/Treasurer


