Energy Forward
Community-Driven, Future-Focused
Washington Gas is a community steward of the nation’s capital. This has been true since our start installing gas lights in notable locations such as the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives chambers, to now providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to approximately 1.2 million customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. As the country transitions toward a lower carbon future, the existing Washington Gas infrastructure will play a critical role in evolving the nation’s energy mix.
Stay Informed
Be a part of and learn more about our community-driven, future-focused, “Energy Forward” program.
Nearly 187 million Americans and 5.8 million businesses choose natural gas because it is affordable, reliable, and safe.
Electricity is a secondary energy source because it is produced by converting primary sources of energy such as coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, solar energy, and wind energy into electrical power.
Nearly 40% of the electricity used in the United States is generated by natural gas.
Fossil fuels, including petroleum and coal, represent 60% of electricity generation worldwide.1
Electricity generation and transmission is relatively inefficient. Grid electricity delivers approximately 30–35% of useful energy from the point of generation to the customer. In comparison, natural gas delivers 93–95% of useful energy to customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is natural gas and how is it used? Natural gas is a colorless, odorless, and combustible energy source with numerous practical uses. It generates electricity, powers appliances, heats homes, offices, and hospitals, and fuels cars and buses. In 2023, natural gas was the source of 43.1% of electricity generation in the United States. 2
- What are the benefits of having natural gas in my community? At a cost that is typically one-third of the cost of electricity for heating the average home, natural gas plays a vital role in supporting our region’s energy supply. It ensures that all consumers—no matter their zip code—can access affordable, safe, and reliable energy service.
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are more expensive and supplied less than 22% of electricity generated in 2023 due to factors such as weather conditions and intermittency.3 Natural gas is a more readily accessible source that produces fewer carbon dioxide emissions compared to coal, petroleum, or diesel. It also reduces our dependency on imported petroleum, which may strengthen our national security.
Furthermore, during extreme cold and winter storms, natural gas is an indispensable and reliable energy source by maintaining energy flow even during unexpected electric grid outages. In a crisis, natural gas is the energy solution that can make life go! - How does Washington Gas ensure that natural gas is safe for you? Washington Gas has one unwavering principle, “Safety First.” This principle is baked into the DNA of our corporate beliefs. Safety remains at the core of all we do for the benefit of our customers, employees, and communities we serve. As a part of the Washington Gas commitment to service, the region’s natural gas is produced, transported, distributed, and stored in compliance with strict safety regulations and standards. Washington Gas diligently maintains the safety and reliability of its system by conducting leak surveys to identify damages and carrying out pipe maintenance and replacement activities.
- What is renewable natural gas or RNG? The production of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) begins with the collection of feedstock from livestock waste, food waste, wastewater and landfills. The collected biogas is then delivered to a processing facility to produce RNG, which is then injected into the natural gas pipeline to be used as transportation fuel, for electricity generation, and for use in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. Unlike other renewable sources, like solar and wind, RNG can be stored for future use.
Washington Gas is actively developing RNG to allow for safe integration to our natural gas pipe distribution infrastructure. For instance, Washington Gas has partnered with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Piscataway Wastewater Treatment Facility in Maryland to construct an RNG interconnection project. The initiative captures and processes biogas from the WSSC plant’s anaerobic digesters, creating concentrated, pipeline-quality methane that is returned to the WSSC facility for energy use.
1 U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2023. What is U.S. electricity generation by energy source?
2 U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2023 Electricity explained: Electricity generation, capacity, and sales in the United States
3 U.S. Energy Information Administration and PJM, 2024. https://pjm.com/
For more than 175 years, Washington Gas has provided safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Natural gas is a critical fuel for everyday life and will be essential to balance the needs of energy affordability, reliability and the pursuit of our region’s climate goals. Washington Gas is committed to educating customers about the energy industry, our company, the services we provide, and the way we maintain safe and reliable natural gas delivery across our footprint. We extend our appreciation to the residents and businesses in the area for allowing us the opportunity to build upon our community partnership with you.