(Philadelphia, PA – January 18, 2006) – The Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is holding “Phone-A-Thons” this week and next week to encourage customers to call for information on how to qualify and sign-up for energy assistance to help them pay their natural gas heating bills.

In a series of television advertisements that began this week, PGW is urging customers who need help to call PGW at 215-235-1000 on Wednesday, January 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. An encore “Phone-A-Thon” will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following Wednesday, January 25.

“We are very concerned that many of our customers who qualify for energy assistance are not getting the word that help is available,” said Doug Oliver, PGW’s Director of Corporate Communications.

“During the Phon-A-Thons, we will have extended hours at a time of day when it may be more convenient for many of our customers to call, and when our PGW representatives will be available to focus more exclusively on energy assistance programs,” Oliver said. This would include information on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Crisis grants, PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP), budget billing and special payment arrangements.

Founded in 1836, PGW is the nation's largest municipally owned natural gas utility, serving more than 500,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers.