WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO, 10-K, EX-12, 2000-12-18

Exhibit 12.1

WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
Preferred Stock Dividends
Years Ended September 30,
(Dollars in Thousands)

	2000 .		1999 .		1998 .		1997 .		1996 . .
FIXED CHARGES AND PRE-TAX
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
Preferred Dividends		$ 1,323		$ 1,331		$ 1,331		$ 1,331	$ 1,332
Effective Income Tax Rate		0.3605		0.3768		0.3671		0.3713	0.3740
Complement of Effective Income
Tax Rate (1 - Tax Rate)		0.6395		0.6232		0.6329		0.6287	0.6260
Pre-tax Preferred Dividends		$ 2,069		$ 2,136		$ 2,103		$ 2,117	$ 2,128


Interest Expense		$ 43,535		$ 37,437		$ 37,473		$ 33,599	$ 29,876
Amortization of Debt Premium,
Discount and Expense		346		566		370		299	256
Interest Component of Rentals		12		. 12		. 12		. 17	. 96
Total Fixed Charges		43,893		$ 38,015		$ 37,855		$ 33,915	$ 30,228
Pre-tax Preferred Dividends		2,069		2,136		2,103		2,117	2,128
Total		$ 45,962		$ 40,151		$ 39,958		$ 36,032	$ 32,356


EARNINGS:
Net Income		84,574		68,768		68,629		82,019	81,591
Add:
Income Taxes Applicable to
Utility Operating Income		47,821		38,689		38,022		47,864	49,376
Income Taxes Applicable to
Non-Utility Operating Income and
Other Income (Expenses) - Net		(153)		2,887		1,784		577	(629)
Total Fixed Charges		. 43,893		. 38,015		. 37,855		. 33,915	. 30,228
Total Earnings		$ 176,135		$ 148,359		$146,290		$ 164,375	$160,566
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
and Preferred Stock Dividends		3.8		3.7		3.7		4.6	5.0