Since January 2001, all residential, commercial, and business customers in the District of Columbia have been able to choose electric, natural gas and telephone service providers.

Electric

More specifically, now that electric rates, as shown on electric customers’ bills, have been separated or “unbundled” into generation, transmission and distribution services, electric customers can choose their electric generation and transmission supplier, while PEPCO remains the sole electric distribution company.

Natural Gas

All natural gas customers can choose their commodity natural gas supplier while Washington Gas Light (WGL) remains the sole natural gas distribution company. WGL’s commodity natural gas rate is called the PGC on natural gas customers’ bills. The PGC is an acronym for the Purchased Gas Charge. Commodity natural gas suppliers own the natural gas that flows through the WGL’s local delivery system of mains and pipes.

Telecom

All telephone customers can choose their local telephone service provider, and they can now bundle their local service with various combinations of long distance, cable TV, and Internet services, depending on which company they select. See sample Verizon* and Starpower* bills.