(Philadelphia, PA – May 18, 2005) –With the end of the heating season, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is continuing its efforts to collect from customers who are past due on their gas bills and have not made any payment arrangements.

Customers who fail to pay their bill and refuse to contact PGW to make a payment agreement will have their service shut off. New rules have eliminated many of the restrictions to shutting off utility customers, especially during the non-heating season. Most important to customers, the new rules may also make it more difficult, and more expensive, to have service restored.

PGW is strictly enforcing the collection policies that require significant upfront payments to be made before customers who have been shut off for nonpayment have their natural gas service restored.

PGW's collection policies now require an upfront deposit, a reconnection charge of $123.23, and immediate payments of up to 100% of the past-due bill. An additional $372 is required if PGW had to dig up the ground to shut-off service. Service will not be restored until these conditions are met.

To prevent shut off, customers who have past due accounts should mail their payments as soon as possible, or make payment arrangements by contacting PGW at 215-235-1777. Customers may also pay by check or with their Visa or MasterCard over the telephone, or make payment arrangements at one of PGW's six customer service centers. Customers should check their bill for office locations and hours.

Founded in 1836, PGW is the nation's largest municipally owned natural gas utility, serving a half million residential, commercial, and industrial customers, and Philadelphia's choice for quality energy solutions.