(Philadelphia, Pa. – March 2, 2006) – PGW is sending shut-off notices to customers who are past due on their winter gas bills. Those customers who fail to pay their bill in full or refuse to contact PGW to make a payment arrangement will be eligible to have their service terminated.

“As of today, 28,000 customers have paid nothing, not even a penny, for the gas they used this winter,” said Thomas Knudsen, PGW’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “When customers don’t pay for the gas they have already used, it not only hurts the company, but it hurts the customers who do pay each month,” he added. “PGW’s aggressive shut off plan will protect paying customers by ensuring that non-paying customer balances don’t continue to grow. The company, and its paying customers, simply can’t afford it and it is not fair.”

Customers who are shut off for non-payment are required to pay a deposit, a reconnection charge and immediate payments of up to 100 percent of the past-due bill before service will be restored. As a result, it is more difficult and expensive for a non-paying customer to have a service restored than it is to make payment arrangements to avoid a shut off. Customers who are behind on their bills, or who have received a shut-off notice, should contact PGW immediately at 215-235-1777.

PGW is urging low-income customers to sign up for LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) grants to help with their winter heating bills before the program closes on March 24. Additional information is available on PGW’s 24-hour LIHEAP Hotline, 215-684-6100.

PGW also is appealing to customers to report the theft of gas service and is shutting off those premises where there is unauthorized use. Meter tampering, illegal connections and self-restorations are dangerous, potentially life-threatening situations.

“Gas is not a ‘do-it-yourself’ project,” said Doug Oliver, PGW’s Director of Corporate Communications. “Theft of gas service endangers everyone in or near the property. Reporting theft could save a life – maybe your own,” he said. Anyone who suspects theft of gas service is urged to call PGW’s 24-hour confidential theft tip line at 215-684-6283.

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