News Stories
Sponsored by Earth Etch. Regulatory insight and compliance solutions for today’s energy markets.
Office Of People’s Counsel Requests Order Commencing Discovery and Pre-Hearing Conference In Complaint Against Washington Gas Light And Washington Energy Services
From OPC Complaint:
While the State weighs the impact of natural gas on its greenhouse gas reduction goals, Washington Gas is sending customers billing statements that include broad and misleading claims of environmental benefits from natural gas use. In October and November 2021, Washington Gas sent customers enrolled with its affiliated gas supplier, WGL Energy, bills that include a marketing statement—unattributed to either the gas distribution company or supplier—describing natural gas as “a clean energy” that is less emissions intensive and more environmentally beneficial than an all-electric home. Despite the well-known fact that natural gas production, distribution, and consumption are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the marketing statements contain no substantiating or contextual information to qualify the environmental claims. The billing statements deceive and mislead utility customers about the emissions attributes of natural gas.
Washington Gas reports that the billing statements are unique to customers receiving gas supply from WGL Energy—a core service provider and affiliate of Washington Gas. The inclusion of a marketing statement intended only for customers of Washington Gas’s affiliate supplier raises significant issues about Washington Gas’s billing policies, including whether it engages in joint marketing with its affiliates and whether it treats its affiliates preferentially, in violation of the utility code of conduct. [ *** ]
From OPC Letter:
On May 21, 2024, the Office of People’s Counsel served OPC Data Request Set No. 1 to Washington Gas Light Company in the above captioned proceeding. Washington Gas refused to respond. Through this letter, OPC requests the Commission order that discovery in this matter commences immediately and set a pre-hearing conference to be held at least 60 days after discovery commences. [ *** ]
OPC further requests that the Commission schedule a pre-hearing conference to be held at least 60 days after the issuance of its order commencing discovery. A 60-day period for discovery before the pre-hearing conference should ensure sufficient opportunity for multiple rounds of discovery, if necessary, and affords all parties ample time to consider and discuss what the next phase of this proceeding may entail prior to a participating in a scheduling conference with the Commission.
OSC Complaint (ML# 237960) (11/24/2021)
OSC Letter (ML# 310129) (06/06/2024)
9673 (11/24/2021)
Complaint Of The Office Of People’s Counsel Against Washington Gas Light Company And WGL Energy Services, Inc.
