By Aaron Knishkowy, CCAN’s DC Summer Intern

“It’s such a fixable problem.” – Syra Dey, May 2025 

Imagine coming home to find your front door kicked in and your dog terrified—all because of a gas leak you never knew about. That’s exactly what happened to Srya Dey. Firefighters broke into her apartment after a dangerous leak, but no one—neither emergency responders nor building management—ever tried to contact her. The incident was clearly traumatic for Syra; her dog had been alone in the apartment at the time of the leak, and her home looked like it had been broken into. Although shocking, the truth is that Syra’s story is not rare. 

Why are Gas Leaks Still Happening? 

Leaky pipes, old water heaters, and gas stoves aren’t just inconvenient—they’re dangerous. Many of us don’t realize that the gas stoves in our homes burn toxic methane two feet away from our faces. That’s why this past May, CCAN, in collaboration with partners from the Stop Project Pipes and Beyond Gas D.C. Coalitions, launched “Washington Gas Exposed,” a three-part seminar series that revealed the hidden dangers of methane gas in D.C.

The series took attendees on a deep dive to learn more about the climate crisis implications, the affordability crisis, and the public health repercussions associated with Washington Gas’s toxic product. (Missed the events but want to learn the TRUTH about Washington Gas? Check out the recordings linked here.)

What Did We Learn?

The public health-focused Washington Gas Exposed event began with a Q&A featuring Barbara Briggs, a volunteer leader with the Beyond Gas D.C. Coalition. Four years ago, Barbara and Beyond Gas were conducting a gas leak investigation focused on methane pipes running beneath our streets and sidewalks around the District (more on that project here), when they learned that leaking appliances and HVAC systems inside homes also posed a serious threat. 

After wrapping up their initial project, they then began testing gas leaks in homes by simulating the preparation of an “average” dinner. In a given kitchen, Barbara and her team would turn on two gas stove burners and the oven for thirty minutes, and then test for the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 is a toxic compound that worsens asthma attacks and the symptoms of COPD. There are even links between NO2 exposure and cognitive development issues for young children. 

The results were shocking:

• 63% of the 663 kitchens tested recorded NO2 readings at or above 100 parts per billion (ppb, which the EPA considers safe for just one hour. 
  • Of 269 kitchens tested in DC, 206 (or 77%)  had unsafe levels at or above 100ppb
  • Of 394 kitchens tested in Montgomery County, 210 (or 53%) had unsafe levels at or above 100ppb
  • The EPA’s 100 ppb NO2 health standard is for outdoor exposure. The EPA lacks the legal authority to regulate indoor NO2.
• Even after the stoves were turned off, dangerous NO₂ levels lingered for four hours or more.  (see their full report, “Cooking Up Danger,” here).

The moderator, Tene Lewis from the D.C. Lead and Asthma coalition, then chimed in, sharing her experience of having her home and her father’s home tested. Both homes were in the 63% of homes that were unsafe, which spurred Tene to join the campaign. 

Help Is Available—But Not Guaranteed

Attendees then had the opportunity to hear from the D.C. Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), a government-funded entity whose mission is to “[make] energy efficiency and clean energy more accessible” in the District. Their presenters discussed the wide range of residential rebates that are available to those looking to eliminate methane gas from their homes. Some District residents are even eligible for appliance upgrades at no cost!

But, as Sidra Siddiqui from the Washington Interfaith Network and Jamoni Overby from Nature Forward discussed later in the evening, affordable electrification options have not always existed. It took grassroots organizing and advocacy to pass legislation like the Healthy Homes Act, which allows up to 30,000 low- and moderate-income households to remove harmful methane-burning appliances from their homes, but there’s no guarantee that the funding will be around forever. 

Mayor Bowser’s proposed budget slashes the Healthy Homes Act funding and eliminates the District’s promise to provide no-cost electrification for low-income D.C. homes. It turns the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund – a pot of money designed to provide energy assistance to low-income families – into the District government’s personal piggy bank to plug budget holes. 

In response, CCAN Action Fund and dozens of advocates, representing a coalition of climate, environmental, and health organizations, hosted Green Budget Day of Action. We urged the DC Council to reject Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed cuts to the District’s local climate and environmental programs

What’s Standing in the Way?

The fight against methane gas is being fought on multiple fronts. Washington Gas is currently seeking approval from the Public Service Commission to charge District residents billions of dollars to keep D.C. on methane gas for the foreseeable future.

Instead of fixing the methane pipes that are actively leaking beneath our feet (and there are over 3000 of them!), Washington Gas wants to charge ratepayers for the wholesale replacement of the entire system.

And make no mistake, whatever formula or algorithm Washington Gas uses to construct their indiscriminate replacement project would prioritize their bottom line, NOT public safety. And the Public Service Commission might just let them get away with it.

If you’re frustrated by Washington Gas putting profits over safety, the Public Service Commission’s indifference, and Mayor Bowser’s betrayal, you’re not alone. It’s time to take action, and here is how you can help:

• Sign our clean energy petition, 
• Join CCAN’s D.C. Action Team, or
• Set up a quick meeting with our D.C. Organizer to learn about other ways you can get involved! Let’s fix this problem. 

Want to catch up on everything from the “Washington Gas Exposed” series? Check out the event recordings!

Want to learn more about how the Public Service Commission impacts your energy bills and climate future? Read our monthly Docket Dispatch!