Washington Gas Light Company, a WGL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: WGL) company, has been named a Top Utility Environmental Champion of 2018, according to a new Cogent Reports survey of utility customers nationwide conducted by Market Strategies International. The results designate the top 43 utilities throughout the country that have shown dedication to environmental stewardship and are published in a report called Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™: Residential.

Washington Gas was recognized based on a study of 62,565 customers, served by 131 of the largest residential gas and electric utility providers, who were asked to rate their utility company’s commitment to the environment. The survey scored an Environmental Dedication Index compiled from consumer ratings of five critical environmental attributes, including being committed to using environmentally friendly energy sources, providing tools and programs to help customers conserve energy, supporting environmental causes, encouraging green initiatives for buildings and vehicles, and seeking ways to protect the environment.

“We are excited to earn recognition that is based on direct customer input as one of the top utilities in the industry for our firm commitment to environmental stewardship as a core corporate value,” said Adrian Chapman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Washington Gas. “Our continued dedication to protecting the environment is reflected in our own sustainable business practices as well as our ongoing initiatives to help our natural gas customers to reduce carbon emissions, adopt energy efficiency strategies and support a clean energy future.”

Several Washington Gas programs and business practices contributed to this recognition, including:

  • Washington Gas operates more than 220 natural gas vehicles in its fleet and maintains LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified buildings such as its operations center in Springfield, Va., and Northwest Station fleet facility in Rockville, Md.
  • By 2025, Washington Gas has committed to operating completely carbon neutral facilities and fleet across all the WGL companies, to achieving a 38 percent reduction in carbon emission intensity per therm of delivered natural gas, and enabling customers to save energy and switch to renewable options that will avoid the equivalent of 18 million metric tons of carbon emissions.
  • By investing in natural gas infrastructure, including accelerated pipe replacement programs in all three of its jurisdictions, Washington Gas has been able to reduce the emissions intensity from its natural gas distribution system by 20 percent.
  • In addition, Washington Gas energy efficiency programs help its natural gas customers save energy and reduce costs. The company was recently selected as a distinguished leader in initiatives supporting ENERGY STAR ® -certified natural gas products and rebates, including ENERGY STAR smart thermostat and natural gas water heater promotions which resulted in high customer participation.

In 2017, Washington Gas was named as a Most Trusted Brand and Customer Champion utility company by Cogent Reports. Washington Gas serves more than 1.1 million customers in the Washington D.C. area, and has delivered safe, affordable and reliable natural gas for 170 years.

For more information about WGL’s sustainability practices, please visit the company’s 2017 Corporate Performance Report: http://2017cpr.wgl.com/sustainable-legacy.html.

About Washington Gas

Washington Gas Light Company is a regulated natural gas utility providing safe, reliable natural gas service to more than 1.1 million customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. A subsidiary of WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL), the company has been providing energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers for 170 years. For more information, please visit washingtongas.com and follow us @washingtongas on Twitter.

About WGL

WGL (NYSE: WGL), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a leading source for clean, efficient and diverse energy solutions. With activities and assets across the U.S., WGL consists of Washington Gas, WGL Energy, WGL Midstream and Hampshire Gas. WGL provides options for natural gas, electricity, green power and energy services, including generation, storage, transportation, distribution, supply and efficiency. Our calling as a company is to make energy surprisingly easy for our employees, our community and all our customers. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, small business or multinational corporation, state and local or federal agency, WGL is here to provide Energy Answers. Ask Us. For more information, please visit wgl.com and follow us @WGLanswers on Twitter.