D.C. Public Service Commission’s vote to rubber-stamp $150 million for District SAFE/Project Pipes will ensure residential gas bills continue to climb despite Washington Gas’s failure to address gas leaks 

WASHINGTON, DC – The D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC) approved yesterday $150 million in spending over three years by Washington Gas for District SAFE, the third phase of the gas utility’s controversial and over-budget methane gas pipeline replacement project, also known as Project Pipes. According to D.C. government data, “Grade 1” gas leaks in D.C. have increased 40% from 2014 to 2022, the same year Project Pipes began. 

Yesterday’s decision comes days after nearly 100 advocates and local residents testified about skyrocketing utility costs as a result of PSC-approved hikes. On the same day, Chairmember Emile Thomspon released a statement committing to “zero in” on these rising utility costs. However, the PSC’s approval of  $150 million for gas pipeline replacements just five days later proves the need for new leadership and accountability at the PSC. Nearly half of the most recent 13% gas rate hike, which began in January 2026, was driven by Project Pipes costs. Delivery charges on gas bills, under the purview of the PSC, account for two-thirds of the average gas bill in D.C., due to the mounting cost of gas capital spending. Chairman Thompson and Commissioner Trabue have approved $548.5 million in utility spending by Pepco and Washington Gas since 2021, which D.C. residents are on the hook to pay back, plus interest, through higher utility bill delivery charges.

In response to today’s decision, a coalition of consumer and climate advocates released the following statements: 

“When Washington Gas rips up your street to put in a fossil fuel pipeline you don’t need, remember you’re paying for it on your monthly bill because yesterday the Public Service Commission gave Washington Gas a blank check to spend $150 million of customer money on pipelines instead of lowering your bills or investing in cleaner, more affordable energy,” said Claire Mills, D.C. Campaigns Manager at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund. “Just like they have done for four years, the Commission majority is once again letting Washington Gas run up our bills to insulate its investors from risk, while its methane gas puts our health and futures at risk. This is the PSC majority’s vision for the District. If we are serious about a different one, where we can afford our bills and safely breathe the air in our homes, we need new leadership at the PSC, not another four years with Chairman Emile Thompson and Commissioner Ted Trabue.” 

“Today’s decision is a cash grab for Washington Gas made possible by the PSC failing to hold the for-profit utility corporation accountable for its costly, ineffective, and dangerous methane gas pipeline replacement program,” said Mark Rodeffer of the Sierra Club D.C. Chapter. “The commission has allowed Pepco and Washington Gas to charge D.C. residents hundreds of millions of dollars for wasteful and unneeded spending that pads the pockets of utility shareholders and executives while inflicting pain on D.C. families. It’s time for new utility commissioners who put D.C. families ahead of profits for monopoly utilities.”

“Soaring energy bills caused by the Public Service Commission approving utility spending have left D.C. families struggling to make ends meet,” said Harrison Pyros, Communications Coordinator for We Power DC. “Nearly one in seven D.C. households are behind on their gas bills, while Pepco disconnection notices spiked by nearly 20% in December 2025 before another electric rate hike took effect earlier this year. Repeated failures by the PSC to rein in utilities show that it’s time for new leadership on the commission that prioritizes people over profits.”

“I know families across the District who are having to choose between keeping warm in their home or putting food on the table,” said Rev. Glenna Hube, Washington Interfaith Network. “This recent decision from the PSC will only worsen the energy affordability crisis and keep us hooked on polluting, expensive methane gas while utility corporations and their shareholders profit. For a more affordable future, we must end our reliance on methane gas for home heating and upgrade homes with proven energy-efficient solutions such as heat pumps that can lower energy bills and guarantee a healthier, climate-friendly D.C.” 

“Washington Gas just gave its shareholders a 6% dividend increase while raising gas rates on D.C. customers by 13% at the start of this year,” said Charles Spring with Extinction Rebellion DC. “It’s now pushed through the third phase of its pipeline replacement program that will cost D.C. customers another $150 million. Despite calls from advocates and residents to hold utilities accountable and lower energy bills, the PSC has continued to line the pockets of Washington Gas instead of protecting the wallets of D.C. residents. It’s why we need new leadership on the Commission that actually looks out for hardworking D.C. families.”

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund is dedicated to driving change in public policies at the local, state, and national levels to address the climate crisis. Through voter education, lobbying, and participation in the electoral process, we seek to advance our country’s leadership in the global movement toward clean energy solutions — focusing our efforts primarily in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We know that a vibrant democracy is central to our success so we work to defend democratic integrity wherever we can.