Washington Gas Application to Increase Distribution Rates - FC 1180

Overview

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) is overseeing Formal Case No. 1180, which involves Washington Gas Light Company’s (WGL) application to increase rates and charges for natural gas services in the District. WGL's proposal aims to adjust its revenue to cover the costs of maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure.

Background

WGL submitted an application on August 5, 2024, to increase its total revenue by approximately $257.2 million, which would mean a weather-adjusted annual increase of $45.6 million. This includes $11.7 million from previously approved infrastructure projects known as PROJECTpipes, resulting in an effective net increase of $33.9 million — or roughly an 11.9% increase over current rates. WGL's plan also includes a tool called the Weather Normalization Adjustment that’s designed to even out customer bills during extreme weather fluctuations. 

Summary of Proposed Monthly Customer Charges

If approved, the proposed rate increase would result in an average monthly increase of 17.6% for a typical residential customer using 627 therms per year — approximately $15.33 more per month.

Key Developments

• The DCPSC asked all involved parties to create a joint timeline for the review process and consider whether additional testimony would be needed.
• WGL provided the proposed schedule and argued that further testimony wasn't necessary, but responded to requests from the D.C. Government and the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA) for more detailed information.
• The DCPSC decided that it would be beneficial for WGL to provide additional testimony, as requested by the D.C. Government and AOBA. This move aims to clear up any potential areas of confusion or conflict during the review process.

Procedural Timeline

Key dates and events in this rate case are detailed below. Find a complete procuredural schedule in Attachment A of Order No. 22463.

Initial filing

August 5, 2024

Evidentiary/legislative hearing

The DCPSC held an evidentiary hearing on August 14, 2025, to address material issues of fact in this rate case. The hearing focused on matters such as depreciation, affiliate transactions, capital expenditures, the use of ratepayer funds, and other issues that required further examination of witness testimony and supporting evidence.

Community hearings

The DCPSC scheduled three community hearings across the District (in Wards 7, 4 and 2) in April 2025 for the public to provide input in this rate case. Watch a full recording of the April 29, 2025, hearing held in the DCPSC Hearing Room:

Stay Informed

Additionally, the DCPSC is still accepting public comments on this rate case. These comments help the DCPSC in the decision-making process and to better understand residents’ concerns.

For more information, contact the Office of the Commission Secretary via email or call (202) 626-5150.