Maryland Public Service Commission Rules Washington Gas Light Misled Customers About Impacts of Gas

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) has ruled that Washington Gas Light (WGL) misled customers about the environmental impacts of gas in ads sent out in October and November 2021. The decision, announced on March 20, follows a 2021 complaint filed by the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, later joined by the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter and represented by Earthjustice.

WGL claimed in bill inserts that gas was “clean energy,” cost one-third as much as electricity, and would help save acres of trees. The materials falsely implied gas use had no environmental downsides. The PSC initially dismissed the complaint, but the Maryland Court of Appeals later overturned that decision, forcing the Commission to reconsider the case.

In response to yesterday’s ruling, leading advocates on this case have issued the following statements:

“The Maryland Public Service Commission’s decision that Washington Gas Light has been misleading customers about the impacts of gas is a major victory,” said Susan Stevens Miller, senior attorney at Earthjustice. “People deserve to have accurate information about how methane gas harms our air and our planet, and it’s great to finally see the gas industry held accountable for including deceptive and false claims about its product in customer bills.”

“Yesterday’s ruling is a win for both customers and the environment,” said Josh Tulkin, Director of the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter. “It protects Washington Gas Light customers from receiving misleading information in their utility bills. Unlike what was stated in the bills, gas has negative environmental impacts both on our indoor air quality and on our climate. We applaud the Maryland Public Service Commission for ruling in favor of accurate information for customers.”