Gas leaks in Washington DC

The District of Columbia Public Service Commission has launched an investigation into Washington Gas for its gas leak management practices. This action responds to concerns raised by the Office of the People’s Council (OPC) about an increase in serious gas leaks, reports WTOP.

Laurence Daniels, OPC’s litigation director, highlighted the office’s continued calls for an investigation into Washington Gas Light Company (WGL). The commission’s recent approval to investigate marks a milestone after years of appeals.

The OPC, an organization that advocates for utility consumers in DC, filed the petition following some alarming data. The number of grade 1 gas leaks increased from 689 in 2014 to more than 1,000 in both 2021 and 2022.

The commission seeks to clarify WGL’s leak detection protocols and the effectiveness of its mitigation strategies. They also seek transparency in public and commission reports relating to these leaks.

Daniels links the increase in leaks to WGL’s aging infrastructure replacement project, PROYECTOTubes. He stressed the need for thorough knowledge of WGL leak detection and categorization methods. An effective system should clearly show the location and status of leaks, while protecting the city’s infrastructure.

WGL denies the need for new research, citing the ongoing PROJECTPipes initiative as a solution to reduce leaks. However, Daniels and the OPC hope that the research will lead to more informed and transparent practices.

The commission will also address issues related to “lost and unaccounted for” gas, on which WGL reportedly holds one of the highest positions in the nation.