Washington Gas Launches Pilot Discount Program in Maryland

Washington Gas Light Company has been granted permission by the Maryland Public Service Commission (MPSC) for a Residential Essential Service (RES) pilot program that will provide eligible, low-income Maryland residents with a discount on a portion of the natural gas they use. The program is retroactive to January 2004 and eligible natural gas customers will automatically receive a credit on April natural gas bills for a portion of natural gas used since January. Depending on the amount of natural gas a customer used this winter, the credit can be worth as much as $98.74.

To be eligible for the RES pilot program, customers must use natural gas for home heating; apply for and receive assistance from the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP); and be current on utility payments. The company has operated a low-income discount program in the District of Columbia for a number of years.

The Maryland RES pilot program will continue through the 2004-05 heating season. It is designed to provide data to the MPSC to determine if the program should become permanent.

For more information about MEAP and other Maryland energy assistance programs, contact the Maryland Department of Human Resources Energy Hotline at 1-800-352-1446 or visit its website at www.dhr.state.md.us/meap.

Source: Washington Gas

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005