July 7, 2023

Washington Gas planted a 14-foot red maple tree at its Springfield Operations Center on July 7 to honor its employees and DMV communities. Almost 200 employees attended the event, along with live coverage of the event by WUSA9.

“As our company turns 175 years old, I couldn’t be prouder to work and serve alongside our incredible teams,” said Blue Jenkins, President of Washington Gas. “Like the DMV, this tree has deep roots and robust growth. We hope it will thrive for many years as we explore new ways to serve our local communities.”

Washington Gas is proud of our long history of serving the DMV. For context, President James Polk celebrated laying the cornerstone of the Washington Monument on July 4. Four days later, on July 8, the U.S. Congress passed an act that chartered the Washington Gas Light Company. From the first gas lights at the White House in 1848 to serving 1.2 million customers in 2023, our company’s history is interwoven with that of the nation’s capital.

We are humbled by the countless ways our colleagues serve our area every day of the year. Here are just a few examples of how Washington Gas (through them) has contributed to local communities:

• We have provided millions of dollars for investments in vocational training, job placements and other paths to long-term employment.
• We have empowered underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers via more than $500,000 in scholarships. Since 2018 alone, our philanthropic programs and initiatives have contributed more than $5 million in local support. This funding has advanced everything from grocery drives to student programs, healthy baby care and performing arts.
• On June 30, we partnered with the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council to introduce two new cold storage trailers in Calverton and Laurel, Maryland. They will strengthen the cold-chain network that brings fresh food to in-need local residents.
• 2023 is also the 40th anniversary of our signature nonprofit program, the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF). Since 1983, WAFF has provided over $33 million to help more than 308,000 local families heat their homes during difficult times. Washington Gas pays all administrative fees to ensure that every WAFF dollar goes to a family in need.
• Our employees have donated more than 140,000 volunteer hours since 2005. Organizations such as the Capital Area Food Bank, Special Olympics DC, Healthy Babies Project, The Latino Student Fund, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, INROADS, Junior Achievement, The March of Dimes and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have been able to serve others because of you.

While many things may evolve, serving others will always be the true North Star that steers us into the future.

But with that said, everything is changing: our company, our region, the world. If 175 years have taught us anything, it’s that change is the critical spark for innovation. We’re excited to be helping to lead the way in many new technology areas that include combined heat and power, renewable natural gas and hydrogen solutions.

For example, consider renewable natural gas, or RNG, and hydrogen. Fifty years ago, Washington Gas identified these as energies of the future. Here in 2023, we are actively pursuing emerging technologies as vital components of the near-term energy industry. Without question, this is an exciting time to be helping to shape the solutions that will power the world in the next 175 years and beyond.

As enthusiastic as we are about advancing technology, we always remember why we do what we do: to improve life in the city where we work, live and serve. The value of complex energy solutions lies in their potential ability to provide safe, secure, affordable and reliable energy as part of daily life.