D.C. attorney general wants to stop Washington Gas' pipeline project
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At a time of skyrocketing utility bills, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is urging regulators to reject Washington Gas' $215 million proposal for a major utility line replacement project.
Why it matters: The project is intended to prevent gas leaks and refurbish aging infrastructure, but it could add a surcharge to residents' already pricey utility bills, on top of service interruptions.
State of play: The utility's proposal is subject to approval from the Public Service Commission, which held the first of two hearings on Monday.
- In courtroom-style cross-examination, D.C. government lawyers grilled utility company executives over the project's scope and potential for cost overruns.
- Schwalb argues major upgrades aren't required at a time when the number of households using natural gas is declining.
- The AG also questioned whether the utility was prioritizing the most important repairs. "The first two phases of the project spent nearly $400 million but only replaced a small portion of old, leak-prone pipes," Schwalb posted online.
Between the lines: The hearing underscored how contentious utility costs have become in Washington.
- Lawyers cutting witnesses off and other testy moments prompted the chair of the PSC, Emile Thompson, to remind both sides, "There needs to be a certain level of decorum."
Context: The project would be the next phase in Washington Gas' multiyear push to modernize its distribution system.
- The PSC already instated a 30% cut on the project's budget to keep costs down.
- This proposed next phase would run three years and cover 12 miles of main pipelines and thousands of service lines that connect to homes and businesses.
Washington Gas previously announced in 2024 that the project would mirror other utilities' pipeline replacement efforts nationwide, and that the new pipes would reduce leaks and, in turn, methane emissions.
- The company said in a new statement that it aims to complete its work "efficiently and responsibly, while keeping customer affordability top of mind."
What's ahead: A second hearing is scheduled Tuesday.