WGL for WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
What was lobbied
6 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Utilities UTI
Labor HHS Appropriations Legislation - support FY2021 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) $500M funding increase over FY2020 for a total of $5.3B. Support $4.2B in additional funding for LIHEAP in HR 133 (Omnibus Budget and COVID Act) also support allowing Paycheck Protection Program to cover small business utility costs to cover increased arrearages for small business and individuals caused by the ongoing COVID pandemic. Supported local control thru PUC not federal moratoriums for handling arrearages. Supported increases in Department of Energy appropriations for research and development to improve natural gas technologies, CHP, energy efficiency grants and support for natural gas vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Climate Change - continued to promote the role of natural gas in the climate discussions of various committees and by educating Members of Congress and staff on the benefits of natural gas an its ability to reduce carbon emissions over time. Homeland Security legislation and appropriations - Support cyber and physical security bills that uphold our current partnership with the transportation security administration public private partnership including information sharing, liability protections for information sharing, federal R&D support and criminal penalties for bad actors. Included in HR 133 (Omnibus budget and COVID Relief bill). Transportation - Pipeline Safety - promote and protect the interests of WGL and natural gas utilities and communities we serve as the House Transportation and Infrastructure; House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Commerce Committee draft pipeline safety re-authorization legislation. Reauthorization included in HR 133 (Omnibus budget and Covid relief act). Transportation - Natural Gas vehicles - Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle fueling market including supporting incentives for expansion of natural gas as a transportation fuel and fueling stations; supporting incentives for natural gas vehicles and advocate for research and development of natural gas vehicle technologies and renewable natural gas fuel. Taxation - Support tax extender provisions including 25(C) tax credits for upgrading to high efficiency natural gas equipment and supporting the credit for Energy Storage technologies. Promote keeping interest deduction in the tax code for Local Distribution Companies. Oppose electrification amendments and building code changes included in S. 2657 (Murkowski) Energy bill.
Foreign entity interest: Washington Gas and WGL are US chartered companies that are now part of Alta Gas Corporation, a Canadian chartered company based in Calgary. As the parent company Alta Gas has an interest in all of the specific lobbying issues listed above.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JENNIFER COLE STETTNER | — |
Transportation TRA
Pipeline Safety re-autorization. Promote the interests of Washington Gas and WGL as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee draft pipeline safety re-authorization legislation. Pipeline Cyber-security. Promote interests of Washington Gas and WGL as the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees and the House Energy and Commerce Committees consider various pieces of legislation impacting pipeline cyber-security and TSA program management. Natural Gas Vehicles - Support incentives for natural gas vehicles and the expansion of natural gas fueling stations. Support incentives for the use of renewable natural gas as a fuel. Advocate for research and development of natural gas vehicle technologies. Advocate for parity of treatment for Natural Gas Vehicles with EV's under the EPA SAFE Rule and through legislation as appropriate. H.R. 7575. Support change in federal channel dredging depth authorization amendment in select areas of the Anacostia River to protect future uses and maximize ratepayer savings in any cleanup. Included in HR 133 Omnibus bill.
Foreign entity interest: Washington Gas and WGL are US chartered companies that are now part of the Alta Gas family. Alta Gas is a Canadian chartered company headquartered in Calgary. As the parent company of Washington Gas and WGL, Alta Gas has an interest in all of the lobbying issues specified above.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JENNIFER COLE STETTNER | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
Taxation/IRS Code - Support lower rates of taxation on dividends Promote keeping the interest deductible in the tax code for LDCs Support enhanced charitable giving deductibility in HR 133 (Omnibus budget and COVID 19 response bill). Support extension of 25(C) which provides a tax credit for upgrading to high efficiency natural gas appliances in residential properties and 179(D) which provides a tax deduction for energy efficiency improvements in commercial properties. Support inclusion of a tax credit for energy storage technology and the Alternative Fuels Tax Credit (AFTC) to be extended for calendar years 2018, 2019, and 2020 for $.50/gallon equivalent for Natural Gas in H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Foreign entity interest: Washington Gas and WGL are US chartered companies that are now owned by Alta Gas, a Canadian chartered company with headquarters in Calgary. As the parent company of Washington Gas and WGL they have an interest in all of the lobby issues listed above.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JENNIFER COLE STETTNER | — |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
Labor - HHS Appropriations legislation. Support FY2021 full funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)at $5.3B in the interests of our ratepayers and the communities we serve. Support $4.3B additional LIHEAP funding in PHASE 4 COVID relief bill to cover increased caseloads due to significant unemployment due to COVID pandemic. Utility relief was included in HR 133. Support Energy Department funding for appropriations for research and development to improve natural gas technologies and natural gas vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Included in HR 133. Support funding enhancements for PHMSA and TSA to address pipeline safety and cyber-security protection programs. Included in HR 133.
Foreign entity interest: Washington Gas and WGL are US chartered companies who are now part of the Alta Gas Corporation, a Canadian chartered company headquartered in Calgary. As the parent company of Washington Gas and WGL, Alta Gas has an interest in all of the lobbying issues listed above.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JENNIFER COLE STETTNER | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
Climate Change - WGL continues to promote the role of natural gas and LDC's in the climate discussion by educating Members of Congress and their staff on its benefits and ability to reduce carbon emissions over time. Clean Water Act - Guidance on Section 401 The streamlining of the 401 Certification process in accordance with Executive Order 13868 allows for the protection of water quality and greater investment in national infrastructure projects. Natural Gas Vehicles - support parity of treatment of Natural Gas Vehicles under the proposed EPA SAFE rule and in discussions with Members and staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources Committees. Clean Future Act - discussion draft Promotion of the inclusion of the role of natural gas and LDC's in our nations clean energy future. Nationwide Permit 12 NWP 12 authorizes utility line activities that have minimal impacts on jurisdictional waters under the Clean Water Act. Senate Climate Report Sections related to natural gas, GHG emissions, utilities issues, Hydrogen, RNG, energy efficiency, and building energy codes House Climate Report Sections related to natural gas, Hydrogen, RNG, GHG emissions, utilities issues, energy efficiency, and building energy codes
Foreign entity interest: Washington Gas and WGL are US chartered companies that are now owned by Alta Gas, a Canadian chartered company with headquarters in Calgary. As the parent company of Washington Gas and WGL they have an interest in all of the lobby issues listed above.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JENNIFER COLE STETTNER | — |
Energy/Nuclear ENG
Climate Change - Washington Gas and WGL continue to promote the role of natural gas and LDC's in the climate discussion by educating Members of Congress and their staff on its benefits and ability to reduce carbon emission over time. Promote and protect the interests of WGL/Washington Gas in any legislation considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee And Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee regarding energy efficiency mandates, building code standards and NGV market development. Bills covered include HR 2043 Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Act which creates incentives for Homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements and HR 2664/S. 1245 which repeal Section 433 which eliminates the use of fossil fuels in federal buildings by a date certain. S. 2657, American Energy Innovation Act Guidance pertaining to energy efficiency and building energy codes. H.R. 6800 - HEROES Act Advocated for state utility commission guidance rather than language supporting federally mandated moratoriums on shut-offs and disconnections. Included in HR 133 (Omnibus and COVID bill).
Foreign entity interest: Washington Gas and WGL are US chartered companies who are now part of the Alta Gas family. Alta Gas is a Canadian Chartered company headquartered in Calgary. As the parent company of Washington Gas and WGL, Alta Gas has an interest in all of the lobbying issues listed above
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JENNIFER COLE STETTNER | — |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.