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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(a)



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACOUNTANTS


         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Post- Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statements (File Nos. 333-83185, 333-01469 and 333-01471) on Form
S-8 covering WGL Holdings, Inc. Common Stock pursuant to its 1999 Incentive
Compensation Plan, its Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan and its Directors'
Stock Compensation Plan (the "Registration Statements") of our reports dated
October 25, 1999, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and
financial statement schedule included in or incorporated by reference in
Washington Gas Light Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999
and to all references to our Firm included in this Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 to the Registration Statements.





                                                   Arthur Andersen LLP


Vienna, VA
October 18, 2000