DC Public Service Commission investigates gas leaks in Washington

The DC Public Service Commission, which oversees utilities in the District, is launching an investigation into Washington Gas to examine how the company detects and fixes gas leaks. The move came after Washington DC’s Office of the People’s Council (OPC) petitioned the commission, citing an increase in Level 1 leaks, which are the most serious.

“We have asked the Commission to open an investigation into how Washington Gas Light Company (WGL) detects these leaks, what plan it has in place to remediate the leaks, and how it reports these leaks to the Commission and the public,” said Laurence Daniels, OPC litigation director.

OPC is an independent government agency in Washington, DC, that advocates for utility consumers. The agency filed the petition last year after data showed a significant increase in Level 1 leaks between 2014 and 2022.

In 2014, only 689 leaks of the worst kind were reported. In 2021, that number was 1,019, followed by 969 in 2022.

“We are now convinced that more clarity needs to be provided about WGL’s practices in dealing with leaks,” the Commission said in its order for inquiry.

Daniels said concerns about WGL’s aging infrastructure replacement project called PROJECTPipes – and the increase in reported leaks – prompted the agency to call for an in-depth investigation into WGL’s leak plans.

“We have been asking for this for years and have been denied time and time again,” said Daniels. “But this year the commission approved our request. And we are very happy about that.”

In its filings, WGL stated that a new investigation was not necessary and that the project to replace the aging pipes would ultimately reduce the leaks.

WTOP has contacted WGL for comment.

Daniels said they hope everyone involved will have a better understanding of how WGL not only detects leaks, but also categorizes them. That information would include what moves a leak from a less serious Grade 2 to a Grade 1.

He also said the OPC is calling for a more transparent system, such as a mapping tool that would allow the public to see where leaks have occurred and receive status updates on them, while maintaining the safety of the city’s infrastructure.

“So steps are being taken to make sure we achieve a balance,” Daniels said. “So the public can understand where the leaks are and where they are being repaired without exposing the utility to people who want to harm the infrastructure.”

The order also requires WGL to provide information on how it deals with “lost and unaccounted” gas. According to the commission, WGL charges the highest gas prices in the country.

Daniels believes this in-depth look into WGL’s operations will also provide the city with more data points as the City Council works to reduce natural gas use in the city and promote electrification of the city.

The investigation into WGL’s practices will begin in the coming months, although Daniels acknowledged that the investigation will most likely take years.

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