Washington Gas, which delivers natural gas to 960,000 customers throughout Washington, DC, and the surrounding region, said Wednesday that average residential heating customers can expect to pay about 15% less during the six-month winter heating season, compared with the same period last year.

The reduction was attributed to forecasts of normal winter weather. “The previous winter in the Washington metropolitan region was approximately 16% colder than normal, which resulted in increased use of natural gas,” said Adrian Chapman, vice president of regulatory affairs and energy acquisition. “A return to normal winter temperatures will reduce customer demand and lower winter heating bills.”

Chapman also outlined the steps Washington Gas has taken to reduce the impact of price volatility during the winter months. He said Washington Gas has purchased and stored nearly 35% of the gas the company expects to deliver this winter. The company also will purchase approximately 12% of its normal winter supply through financial contracts to help avoid the dramatic price fluctuations that may occur in the wholesale natural gas market.

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