State and Local

Location: Glen Echo, MD

Glen Echo is a small town located in Montgomery County, Maryland, with fewer than 1,000 residents.

Challenge

Prior to 2014, the Glen Echo community had no access to natural gas. In a unique town-wide conversion, the mayor and council requested service on behalf of the town’s residents and paid the contribution costs. After years of high oil bills and frequent power outages, the community was ready for a change. Washington Gas’ challenge was to coordinate an agreement with the entire community to bring natural gas to the area.

Solution

After 30 years of wanting natural gas in Glen Echo, an agreement was reached with Washington Gas—for a single fee paid by the town on behalf of its residents to install main natural gas lines and service lines to residents’ homes. As a part of the agreement, residents agreed to install gas appliances within one year of the installation.

Results

Glen Echo Mayor Deborah Beers was extremely pleased with our timely and professional performance and spoke highly of
the experience. The town streets were completely repaved once the gas lines were installed with minimal disruption, and Glen Echo residents were able to enjoy natural gas heat in the winter.

Testimonial 

"As Mayor of the Town of Glen Echo, Maryland, I would commend to anyone our recent experience. Washington Gas’ performance was timely, professional and responsive. We had been working to get natural gas and we’re [the city] happy to do it."

- Deborah Beers, Mayor, Glen Echo, Maryland