Extinction Rebellion Stages Multiple Disruptions at DC Clean Energy Summit, Drowns Out Washington Gas Greenwashing
Rebels disrupt PSC Chairman and Washington Gas to make it clear that methane gas has no place in a clean energy future
Washington, DC – Today, Extinction Rebellion DC (XRDC) disrupted the DC Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Clean Energy Summit to demand the Commission reject Washington Gas’ rebranded Project Pipes plan and to push back against Washington Gas’ damaging greenwashing. Project Pipes is Washington Gas’ $12 billion, gas-customer-funded plan to replace all the methane gas pipelines in DC.
The first disruption occurred during PSC Chairman Thompson’s opening remarks. Two rebels stood up, thanked the Chairman for the PSC’s June decision to dismiss Washington Gas’ proposal for the third phase of Project Pipes, and asked the Chairman to reject Washington Gas’ latest methane gas pipeline spending request and commit to a methane-free, truly clean energy future. One rebel also held a small banner reading “Reject Methane.”
In the afternoon, rebels disrupted the Washington Gas spokesperson during the panel, “What is the future of clean energy in the District?” Two different times when Washington Gas attempted to speak, a rebel stood up in the crowd and named facts that undermined Washington Gas’ disinformation. For example, when Washington Gas claimed to care about safety and reliability, a rebel pushed back that, “The only thing made safe by Washington Gas is corporate profits.” These rebels also each held a banner reading “Reject Methane.”
In addition to disruptions inside, rebels held a rally in the afternoon outside the Summit. Rebels passed out treats (candy) and tricks (fliers with examples of Washington Gas’ lies), and held two banners reading “Washington Gas: Zombie Industry” and “Gas Leaks Methane Kills.” A few rebels were dressed in hazmat suits to represent the health and safety dangers of methane gas.
“We attended the Summit today to remind the PSC and all those attending that methane is a dirty fossil fuel—a gas that pollutes the air we breathe, harms our health, and fuels the climate crisis that endangers our loved ones. Methane gas has absolutely no role in a clean energy future,” said Claire Hacker (she/her), press spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion DC. “The PSC made the right decision in June when they rejected Washington Gas’ wasteful request to spend millions replacing methane gas pipelines. Now, the PSC must stay the course. They must reject Washington Gas’ latest spending request, which is more of the same toxic nonsense. And they must begin holistic, District-wide energy planning that ensures our future is free of fossil fuels and enables residents to live in healthier, more affordable homes, especially low-income communities and communities of color.”
After rejecting Washington Gas’ spending request in June, the PSC ordered Washington Gas to submit a new, restructured Project Pipes plan, requiring the corporate utility to narrowly focus on the worst pipes, consider repairs over replacement, and incorporate stakeholder feedback and the realities of District electrification efforts. Despite this order, Washington Gas’ new plan, rebranded as “District SAFE,” fails to adequately address these concerns and instead proposes more of the same wasteful, ineffective processes, rejecting both the PSC’s requirements and stakeholder input.
The action also comes just a day after news broke about a new study on the health impacts of methane gas. According to the researchers at Jaume I University in Castelló de la Plana, Spain, “residents of the European Union and Britain are twice as likely to die prematurely from exposure to gas stove pollutants than from a car crash.”
Regardless of billions in spending, Washington Gas has failed to reduce the dangers posed by its aging pipelines. It is time for the PSC to stop further investment into fossil fuels and ensure residents can breathe clean air and live in safe, healthy communities, regardless of zip code.
###