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Welcome to Washington Gas

For more than 160 years, Washington Gas has been distributing natural gas to customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. We bring natural gas to your home or business safely and reliably.

WASHINGTON GAS District of Columbia E-News - Winter 2010

Welcome to Washington Gas District of Columbia E-News, a periodic electronic newsletter about the company's efforts and activities in the District of Columbia. The purpose of E-News is to educate and inform community and civic leaders about the company, share insights into how it does business and provide news items of interest in the District of Columbia. Specifically, future E-News updates will provide information on community events where Washington Gas representatives will be present to discuss various issues of importance. We believe this tool will be a valuable addition to our community outreach efforts and will provide helpful and timely information about the quality of service we provide to our customers. Feel free to forward E-News to other community-based organizations that you feel may be interested.

IN THIS ISSUE:

  

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL NATURAL GAS

Natural gas is combustible and non-toxic, but it is also colorless and odorless. For detection and safety, Washington Gas adds an unpleasant odorant (called mercaptan) to the majority of natural gas traveling through its pipelines. More. . .

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WASHINGTON AREA FUEL FUND NOW ONLINE

This energy assistance fund pays for all types of fuels to heat the homes of those in the Washington area who have nowhere else to turn. More. . .

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WASHINGTON GAS BUDGET PLAN

Customers who qualify can take advantage of the opportunity to spread the cost of winter heating over the entire year and lessen the impact of typically higher winter energy bills. More. . .

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PIPELINE SAFETY

The Washington Gas system is part of a vast nationwide network of mostly underground pipelines that deliver natural gas. Washington Gas operates approximately 200 miles of transmission pipelines and thousands of miles of distribution pipelines. More. . .

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METER TAMPERING/THEFT

Moving or tampering with a natural gas meter is not only illegal, but also very dangerous. The natural gas meter at your home, regardless of whether it is located inside or outside, belongs to Washington Gas. Call our Gas Theft Hotline at 703-750-4570 or the Corporate Security office at 703-750-4370 or 703-750-4246 if you see suspicious activity involving a Washington Gas meter. Frederick customers call 301-662-2151.

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WASHINGTON GAS TEAMS WITH CLEAN AIR PARTNERS TO PROMOTE ENERGY STAR PLEDGE

Washington Gas is a founding member of Clean Air Partners (CAP) and both have teamed up with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR® program to encourage greater metropolitan area residents to participate in the "Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR®" Pledge. Participants are encouraged to take small, individual steps to improve air quality and protect their health and the environment. To meet this challenge, Clean Air Partners has set a goal of reducing 13 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions by Earth Day 2010. This is equivalent to removing 1,080 cars off our region's roads this year. To take the pledge or learn more, visit www.cleanairpartners.net.

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CLIMATE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY COMMITTEE

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors (COG Board) has selected two Washington Gas representatives to serve on its Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee. Melissa Adams, Division Head for Sustainability and Business Development, and Steven Jumper, Director of Corporate Public Policy, will join others who will serve as the principal policy advisors to the COG Board on climate and energy issues including climate change, green buildings, alternate fuels, solid waste and recycling. During the next year, their focus will include oversight of annual work programs and budgets, as well as the development of action reports, policy statements, recommendations and proposals for review and adoption by the COG Board.

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WASHINGTON GAS HONORS 9/11 WITH GREATER DC CARES NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE PROJECT

Washington Gas and Greater DC Cares teamed up to recognize and honor the 9/11 National Day of Service. Nearly 30 company volunteers participated in park clean-up and beautification at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial site.

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PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY PLAN HIGHLIGHTS

The District of Columbia City Council maintains a year-round schedule, with council and committee meetings covering a full spectrum of issues related to Washington Gas's business interest. Below is a summary highlighting some of the public policy issues Washington Gas will be following throughout the year:

COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY

Washington Gas supports initiatives that will ensure the safe operations of the company's pipeline infrastructure.

ENVIRONMENT

Washington Gas, like others in the natural gas industry, will advocate measuring energy efficiency based on the amount of energy produced and lost from the point of production to the final point of use. This "full-cycle" analysis provides a more sustainable, long-term position on efficiency, energy resource allocation, and environmental improvements. Today's appliances and building standards do not tell the whole efficiency story and may inadvertently lead to poor policy decisions when considering greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

In addition to engaging in the "full-cycle" discussion, the company will focus on providing information that educates decision-makers on the benefits of natural gas as they relate to lower customer energy bills and reduced carbon emissions. This philosophy further establishes Washington Gas as a committed steward of the environment, while providing citizens with the best value for their energy dollars.

CUSTOMER CHOICE

Washington Gas continues to support retail customer choice for its commercial and residential customers. As such, the company will advocate for removal of regulatory barriers that may limit or reduce customers' ability to choose their energy providers. Washington Gas will also work to educate customers about retail customer choice so that they can make appropriate decisions for potentially lowering their energy costs.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Washington Gas continues to be committed to providing its customers with the lowest cost alternatives to maintaining efficient and reliable sources of natural gas. The company will assess, make appropriate decisions and educate decision-makers and customers about the cost benefits of its natural gas portfolio and energy acquisition practices. Washington Gas will continue to be vigilant in its efforts to provide its customers abundant supplies of environmentally friendly natural gas at the best price available.

COST RECOVERY

Automatic cost recovery is a fundamental principle of regulatory ratemaking and legislative policy for Washington Gas and other utilities. The ability of the company to timely recover costs associated with government imposed mandates is essential. It promotes safety of facilities and improved services to consumers through changes in costs over time, rather than on a delayed basis through periodic, expensive and time-consuming rate proceedings. Timely costs recovery leads to utility financial stability and reduced capital costs.

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Customers should call Washington Gas at 703.750.1000 for special programs offered by Washington Gas.

Washington Gas District of Columbia E-News is a periodic newsletter delivered to civic and neighborhood associations and customers in the District of Columbia.
If you would like to be removed from this e-mail distribution list, or for further information, contact us at Enews@washingtongas.com.