(Philadelphia, PA – December 15, 2005) – As temperatures plummet, the Philadelphia
Gas Works (PGW) is urging customers who have been shut off for nonpayment to make arrangements to have their service restored.

“PGW is very concerned about customers without heat who may not have a safe means to heat their homes,” said Doug Oliver, PGW’s Director of Corporate Communications. “PGW will continue outreach efforts to contact and restore service to any customer who is without heat.”

Since early October, PGW has been contacting residential heating customers who had their service shut off this year and had not restored service before the start of the heating season. About 5,300 customers have made payment arrangements and have been restored, an additional 1,440 customers specifically reported they were using alternative means for heating, and an equal number of properties were found to be vacant.

PGW is actively monitoring 7,600 customers who have not had their service restored.

Regarding those customers who did not restore service and that are using other heating sources, PGW is notifying the Philadelphia Fire Department and social service and governmental agencies.

PGW offers payment arrangements and the Customer Responsibility Program (CRP), a discounted payment program for low income customers. Also, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Crisis and Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) grants are available to help low-income households.

For more information on PGW’s customer assistance programs, customers may call PGW at 215-235-1000. To enter into a payment arrangement, customers should call PGW at 215-235-1777 or visit one of PGW’s six Customer Service Centers. For LIHEAP information, customers may call PGW’s LIHEAP Hotline at 215-684-6100. Detailed information on all programs is available on PGW’s Web site at www.pgworks.com.

Founded in 1836, PGW is the nation’s largest municipally owned natural gas utility, serving a half million residential, commercial, and industrial customers.