Washington Gas serves the DC metro area including DC, northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland — approximately 1.2 million gas customers across the region.
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How Washington Gas (AltaGas) and Retail Suppliers Work Together
Washington Gas serves the DC metro — significant federal government, hospitality, and office building gas load.
Washington Gas handles natural gas distribution. Retail natural gas competition is available for commercial accounts in DC and MD service areas. The supply portion of your bill — typically the largest single line item for commercial accounts — is where retail competition applies. That's the piece a broker targets.
Distribution rates regulated by DC PSC, VA SCC, and MD PSC depending on service area.
What "Switching Suppliers" Means for Washington Gas (AltaGas) Customers
Gas retail competition is available in DC and MD portions of Washington Gas territory.
Natural gas retail competition gives DC and MD commercial accounts access to fixed-price alternatives.
The process: you authorize a supplier to serve your account, they notify Washington Gas (AltaGas), and the change takes effect at your next billing cycle. No technician visit. No service interruption. Same reliability, different supply rate.
How We Source Rates in the Washington Gas (AltaGas) Territory
We submit your load profile to all active retail suppliers licensed in the Washington Gas (AltaGas) territory simultaneously. They compete. You get multiple offers — typically within 24–48 hours — with our plain-English explanation of each.
We don't represent any single supplier. Our fee comes from the supplier you choose, built into every quote at a rate that doesn't change whether you use a broker or not. You pay nothing out of pocket.
Get competing quotes for your Washington Gas (AltaGas) commercial account
We shop 30+ suppliers at no cost to you.
Understanding Your Washington Gas (AltaGas) Commercial Bill
A typical commercial Washington Gas (AltaGas) bill has several distinct charges:
- Supply charge: Cost of electricity generation. This is negotiable — it's what retail suppliers compete on.
- Distribution/delivery charge: Washington Gas (AltaGas)'s fee for owning and maintaining the wires. Regulated, fixed.
- Transmission charge: High-voltage grid cost, managed by N/A (natural gas). Regulated, fixed.
- Demand charge: Based on your peak 15-minute interval each month. Can represent 30–50% of your total bill.
- Capacity charges: N/A (natural gas) capacity market costs. Pass-through, not negotiable with suppliers.
A broker focuses on the supply charge — the one component where you have leverage. We make sure you understand all other charges so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does switching suppliers affect my Washington Gas (AltaGas) service?
No. Washington Gas (AltaGas) handles physical delivery of electricity regardless of which supplier you choose. Gas retail competition is available in DC and MD portions of Washington Gas territory. Your Washington Gas (AltaGas) account number stays the same; you'll simply see a different supplier name on the supply portion of your bill.
Why is my Washington Gas (AltaGas) bill so high?
Commercial Washington Gas (AltaGas) bills have several components: supply charges (electricity generation), delivery charges (wires and poles), transmission, capacity charges, and taxes. Only the supply charge is negotiable through a retail supplier. Washington Gas handles natural gas distribution. Retail natural gas competition is available for commercial accounts in DC and MD service areas.
What is Washington Gas (AltaGas)'s default service rate?
Washington Gas (AltaGas)'s default service (or 'provider of last resort' service) is the rate applied to accounts that haven't chosen a retail supplier. Distribution rates regulated by DC PSC, VA SCC, and MD PSC depending on service area. Competitive suppliers often offer better rates than default service for commercial accounts.
How do I get competing quotes for my Washington Gas (AltaGas) account?
We pull your 12-month usage history from Washington Gas (AltaGas) (with your authorization), build your load profile, and submit to 30+ active retail suppliers in the Washington Gas (AltaGas) territory. You receive competing offers within 24–48 hours at no cost.
What's the difference between Washington Gas (AltaGas) and a retail energy supplier?
Washington Gas (AltaGas) owns the wires that deliver electricity to your building. A retail energy supplier (REP) generates or purchases the electricity itself. You pay Washington Gas (AltaGas) for delivery and your chosen supplier for supply — two separate charges on one or two bills depending on the market structure.
CommercialEnergyPlan.com is an independent energy broker and is not affiliated with Washington Gas (AltaGas) or any utility.