June 10, 2024

Submitted by Angie Bezik & Cindy DiFranco, Principle Advantage Government Relations Group & Rob Shinn, Capital Results on behalf of Washington Gas & Light.

Washington Gas & Light (Washington Gas) Response to the Periodic Review of the Virginia State Board of Social Services Virginia Energy Assistance Program - Home Energy Assistance Program [22 VAC 40 ? 685] as published in the Virginia Register on 6/3/2024 [Volume: 40 Issue: 21].

As stated in the Virginia Register [Volume: 40 Issue: 21], the purpose of this periodic review is to determine whether this regulation should be repealed, amended, or retained in its current form. Public comment is sought on the review of any issue relating to this regulation, including whether the regulation (i) is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare or for the economical performance of important governmental functions; (ii) minimizes the economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law; and (iii) is clearly written and easily understandable.

Although there are no recommended changes to 22 VAC 40 – 685 as a part of the periodic review, Washington Gas would like to note that the Virginia Energy Assistance Program and Home Energy Assistance Program, buoyed by the federal Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is an important and integral part of the safety net provided for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare of Virginia’s low income individuals, families and elderly who are inarguably Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens. Additionally, Washington Gas & Light believes that year-round acceptance of applications by Virginia Department of Social Services will serve these populations well and may prevent some of the crisis situations Virginian’s read about each year. 

Information from the federally funded LIHEAP website (Virginia | The LIHEAP Clearinghouse (hhs.gov)), indicates that Virginia has been set to receive $103,142,502.00 for FY24. The benefits for FY24 are:

Heating:         $185 minimum           $600 maximum

Cooling:          $50 minimum             $700 maximum

Crisis:                                                 $4,200 maximum

We would like to note that Washington Gas& Light, (as do other utilities across Virginia), offers energy assistance as well. In the case of Washington Gas & Light, we offer rate assistance to our LIHEAP-eligible customers by waiving security deposits. Additionally, Washington Gas offers emergency charitable assistance through the Washington Area Fuel Fund by providing heating assistance payments for low-income households in the Washington D.C. area that do not qualify for - or have exhausted - government assistance.  Resources for the Washington Area Fuel Fund are provided by customer and company contributions and is administered by the Salvation Army. 

Washington Gas & Light hopes that the Virginia Department of Social Services will utilize its full capabilities through the federally funded LIHEAP Program by using the 10% of the Virginia allocation available to them to augment their efforts to accept applications year-round and do the outreach necessary to promote Virginia’s allocation of the funding to those in need.